Distribution (spacing) of races on random maps

Perhaps I'm missing a feature...

I'm a bit confused about the race distribution; I just started a game with 4 races in a large galaxy, for example, in which 2 races were at opposite ends of a huge cloud of systems, while me and another race were wedged into a corner with about 6 systems between us and a huge swath of empty space between either of us and any open stars.

I appreciate that this makes for an 'interesting' and unique game experience, but is there a toggle somewhere to just evenly space out the races (which I assume is the norm in 4x)? I have been getting "challenging" spacings fairly often, and would rather not for the time being.

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Well, that depends on what you choose for Galaxy type. I Forgot all the options but I usually go for Scattered. Sounds like you selected the one that clusters or something.

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I know how you feel. I tend to always get stuck right next to the Drengin in all of my sandbox games.

Although, I'm only on my second one, a large one with 9 races this time.

Anyway, it sucks starting off right next to them.

So the choice in galaxy type affects how you and your opponents are spread throughout the galaxy?

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My impression was that clustered vs. scattered affected the distribution of systems (which was fine) rather than the distribution of races (which often seems clumpy.)

Clumpy race distribution does make for interesting and varied gameplay scenarios, but it would be nice to have the option to get evenly distributed races (and thus roughly even chances for expansion.)

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Civilization 4 suffers from this problem, too. An 'evenly distributed starting positions' option is needed.

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You can't change how they are distributed, but they are not always distributed like that.

If you don't like it, press Control-n to start a new game and see if that one is more to your liking.

Setting Paint Ownership to "1" in the MiniMap section of the prefs.ini will let you see all the races positions at the beginning of the game, to make it easier to get a layout that you like. Or, you can click the setting on the MiniMap itself in the game. I think it is the second down on the far left.

[MiniMapSettings]

PaintOwnership=1

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i've noticed 'clumping' too, but i've wondered at times if it has as much to do with the number of habitable planets, not just stars. in a couple cases where i've played in, it seems like even though empire X has a huge amount of space, it didn't get all that many planets.i haven't played into enough of these games to get a clear sense of it.

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Civilization 4 suck...

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