I'm pretty sure they are adjusted somewhat. However, even if I'm right about that, the adjustments don't make as much of a difference as they probably should. I agree with you that the adjustments should be considerably larger. I too play on medium now, though I started on the largest maps. I've read that the AI is optimal on medium. Also, time constraints make medium games about as big as I want them.

Yes, it would be nice to have to deal with issues like range, speed, sensors as if I were on a large map. That is, those techs should scale down in proportion to the downsizing of the map.

What about the UI? I know it's getting improved in DA, but does anyone know to what extent? For example, I really like how when you mouse over your military production in the planet info screen, it gives you a detailed summary of how the number for military production is calculated. I wonder if these type of mouse overs will become more common, as it would provide more feedback for the management of your empire. I remember in Galciv I how a lot of the stats were confusing because you weren't sure how they were being calculated (I also hated how the colors for the races were not consistent throughout the UI). In GalCiv II, the UI has improved substantially, thanks to the excellent work and dedication of the devs. One thing that bugs me currently though, is how useless the planet list (F1 key) is in comparison to the planet detail tab in the Civilization Manageer screen. I like the planet list because it's small and quick to access, but the detail tab in the CM screen is so much more detailed and even lets you choose specification for each plante (military, social, or research). UI can always use more work, but overall it works well.

I prefer an empty spaced out Gigantic map and very slow tech. so having everything scale to the map size kinda seems rediculous. there wouldnt be a point in making a large map. just more parces to deal with.

I have only played a few games on smaller maps, and all of them were finished quickly, I admit, I never played any of these mediam map games beyond normal difficulty, but I think the AI is far more difficult to defeat on larger maps. A war is hardly ever decided quickly in larger maps where I and the AI have large empires with possibly dozens of planets. it's not uncommon for me to play a game that lasts over two weeks, although admittedly that's also because I like to drag things out a little.

If the AI looses 10 planets in the war, it is still capaple of mounting a large offensive due to other productive planets in their possesion churning out ships as fast as possible. At this time, the distance my transports have to travel is quite big, and the war becomes more about logistics (not the actual game logisticpoints) Can I replenish my fleets and armies quick enough? There comes a moment in a war when the AI will strike back, and might even take a few planets left poorly defended if I'm not careful. Sometimes it is very appealing to get that extra planet, directing a fleet there, only to find that the AI has a large fleet behind me taking back planets I thought where safe. Not to mention the sudden declaration of war from another race, which doesn't like my aggressive move on their friend, and decides to attack me on the other side of my empire, forcing me to fight a war on two fronts. Great fun!

There are a lot of factors involved I did not find in smaller maps, where wars tend to be short, with each side only having a handful of planets. If anything, I wish I could play on even larger maps beyond gigantic, but I doubt my PC could handle it.

On a side note: I recently began playing on the Metaverse, It does certainly add something to the whole game experience.