Beta 5 allows users to create their own custom races and choose their own tech tree.

Ship textures further updated with higher quality images that use less memory!

Players can have the computer AI design combat ships for them automatically.

 
A new victory condition is in the game. If enabled, 5 ascension crystals are scattered throughout a map. Building a starbase on one provides 1 ascension point per turn. When 1,000 ascension points are collected, the player wins.  However, other players will quickly see you as a threat should you pick them up and will react accordingly.

 
New Weapon effects are in.