In ES1, low empire approval gave - 50% Science.  In Endless Legend, low empire approval gave -15%/-30% Science, -15%/-30% Dust.  In Endless Space 2, low empire approval gives -50% Dust.  -25% Dust, combined with Dust Upkeep for everything (including the constant influx of Heroes and the fast rate of Governor leveling) is brutal. -50% Dust is game over.

The reality of the need for a balanced economy means that empire unhappiness is not compatible with basic systems design in a 4x game.  Endless Legend was bad enough when you got to -15% Dust and -30% was complete panic mode (unless it was late game expansionist).  As it stands, you must have an Empire Approval of Content or higher, no ifs ands or buts.

Meedoc wrote:

Hello,

That's a fair point! We'll change that for the next update! Sorry for the inconvenience.

Cheers,

Thanks for the reply.  Here I was thinking it was a design choice ... 

O.o

Wow, you really are a cool guy.

o.O