Simple strategy question, i.e. how do you start

[RonGianti]

Jeku said:
I finally researched colonizing Ice and Gas planets though, so would hate to have to start that over again hehe.

When possible, try to trade for this. Getting another 400,000 research point item like this in the early game can make a HUGE difference...

[Jeku]

I would trade but after about 4 years of playing, I have yet to come across another race. In the SE IV demo I met two others within the first 10 turns.