Just bought and downloaded

Individual Ai settings of Intelligent will give you the smartest ai without bonuses.

All AI's at intelligent gives you a game difficulty of Tough.

Don't use the Randomize Intelligence check box as there is a small flaw in it that could set some of the Ai's to brain dead...

Bakka!!!

Thanks Bakka that's exactly what I was wondering. Next game I will try 4 or 5 intelligent opponents on a larger map and see how I do.

bakka!

come to me arms, batty.........

how do you move your ships

Easiest way is to highlight (left click) the ship and select it's destination (right click on space)

Next game I will try 4 or 5 intelligent opponents on a larger map

You should be aware that bigger maps don't necessary means harder game

Thanks, yeah I have read on here that the AI is at its best when the map is not huge. I will see how I do and adjust accordingly I think. I'm still new and figuring out what is best for my style of play.

Bigger maps result in longer more involved games, not necessarily harder. Also, selecting the number of habitable planets has a significant effect. I've started games on gigantic maps with too many habitable planets that quickly become very difficult to manage. My favorite configuration right now is to use loose clusters, abundant number of planets, abundant habitable planets, and uncommon or rare stars. This is with a gigantic universe. Gives me around 100-150 inhabitable planets in the universe which makes the game very involved, but manageable.

o bakka! come to me arms, batty.........

hey bud.. you're up late.