Playing as a Pirate - criminal network (research bug ) ?

[aldehyt]

I Play as a pirate, so i build Criminal Network, my race is same like a Colony race.
I build a custom Weapons Research station with many, many, many Weapons Lab and...

Now My Empire total research ponential is so BIG, and learning a new tech is really, REALLY quick.

Tell me this is bug ?
My gameplay is broken, no more challenging..

[Aeson]

It's not a bug, it's a somewhat questionable design decision. As a pirate faction, each of your Hidden Pirate Bases and Hidden Pirate Fortresses increase your research potential by some percentage. Before you take over a planet, this isn't an issue because your base research potential is so low since you have no significant population. Once you take a planet, though, your base potential probably jumps up to perhaps 500 or 600, which is then multiplied by all those bonuses from the Hidden Pirate Bases and Hidden Pirate Fortresses and becomes enormous.

The bonus you're getting from all the Hidden Pirate Bases and Hidden Pirate Fortresses should be listed at the bottom of the research screen. Divide your total empire research potential by (1 + ((research bonus percent)/100%)) and compare this result to that of an empire of similar size and population; the numbers should be similar. You can scrap most or all of your Hidden Pirate Bases and Hidden Pirate Fortresses (at least until your total empire research potential drops to whatever you consider to be an acceptable level) and the issue will go away.

[Franky007]

I think a Hidden base should increase your research potential by a flat 15k,
instead of 50%...