In one of my games, I got a different order of the “new Topics” that can be researched.
In all other games, the first possibilities are: Racing Fantasy Pirates SciFi.
Unfortunately, I don’t have a savegame of the different order.
So I wonder if the order is intended do be random?
In my point of view, it is.
plus, after like year 20 you should have reach the whole topics already.
I started a few new games and I think the first 4 possibilities are fixed, and after that there is randomness.
So it’s not a bug, but just my perception =)
This is on purpose. Topics (except for the first 8) are randomized.