Greetings Lords of Rigel! Release 1.14 added something many community members have long waited for, alternative technology starts, In addition, a community requested feature to add extra Doomsday Clock pressure was also added as an optional advanced setting.
Image 1. Updated Advanced Game Settings Menu with Tech Level Options
These updated settings include the standard game start (Average), Post-Warp which adds some additional technologies and BCs, and Advanced which adds additional ships, colonies, BCs, and technologies. (unless you're an Exile faction, they don't get extra systems)
Image 2. Humans with an Advanced start
But, most importantly this update adds in "Lived in Galaxy" mode where non-elder species have a randomized technological start. They may have an early technological advantage or a default start. These are tied to your galaxy seed, so hitting "random" to change the seed will alter which factions have the advantage in this mode.
Expect some more small content updates and quality of life tweaks in the coming months.