Good questions

[Marukusu]

How does the computer determine when playing a custom alien faction that it can ascend to transcendence or not?
Actually, I think this is a big problem... can anyone tell me who has created and tested alien factions?

[Jasonian]

I *think* that "Caretakers can not trancend" thing is encoded into the game itself, just like the fact that the Cult starts 6 years later.

I have no idea how to give these abilities to other factions, or if it is possible at all. Maybe if you name the alien faction "Caretakers", it will work like the old ones did.

[Qilue]

If you create a custom faction which is an exact copy of the Cult (with a different file name), it plays like a normal faction.

[Jasonian]

I thought that was because of the -2 Research. Doesn't Domai have that same penalty?

[Grigger]

This thing has also come up with the Believer's no tech until 2110.