One of the vendors that sells one for TI3 had a post on the reddit TI sub that he was working out the bugs for a new frame. His website is currently under a redesign as of yesterday when I last checked it. That being said, I wonder why FFG leaves so much money on the table when they produce these games. Why aren't they making a nice Broken Token style insert for their games, or a galaxy frame to keep the tiles from slipping, or a grip mat to hold tiles in place, or a plastic card holder so your sleeved cards stack more easily? 

They are powerful but not game breaking IMO. I will say, however, that in my last game (which I lost) I had a space turtle fleet just outside of MR with 4 PDS (2 planets) and the flag ship. I was tossing 8 dice at anyone and everyone that tried to move in on MR. The goal for that game was really just teach new players how to play the game, so I was trying to see how powerful PDS could really be. The funny thing is that the ability to blast non-fighters only works once because you have to exhaust the card - but NOBODY wanted to be the guy that decimated his fleet so the next guy could move in and get victory points. Cold War tactics at it's best.
I'm playing again this afternoon and will keep my eyes open to see if this trend continues.

Hosting a day of Twilight Imperium 4th Edition on Saturday September 16th at Family Time Games. We currently have enough people and copies to run three games. There are currently three spots open. I have no problem increasing the count based on people wanting to play and number of copies we can get. Feel free to sign up on my meetup group or let me know if you're interested here. Hope to see you there.
http://meetu.ps/e/.hmmhwmywmbvb/tf77n/d

I'll be there!

We will be hosting two learn to play games of Twilight Imperium 3 on June 17th at Family Time Games. This will be mostly for new players looking to try the game or players looking to understand it better. We are going to be running two games, both will be the special scenario. We can accommodate up to 12 people. Let me know if you're interested or sign up on our meetup group.

Check out this Meetup with Epic Board Game Extravaganza http://meetu.ps/e/CRcLS/tf77n/d

I do live in Indy and TI3 is one of the games that has been on my radar to play for a long time. I unfortunately have never played and have no idea how good I would be in a Tourney.  I did add you as a geek buddy over on BGG.

I do run a meetup.com group and we play once a month. You're more than welcome to come out for a casual game first.