larger maps

I've seen other posts with exactly the opposite sentiment ("it takes too long to get into contact with other races"), although there does seem to be a general desire for larger maps.

I've heard map size is more limited by computer power than anything else (in the largest map with abundant stars/planets late in the game with hundreds of ships on the map it does take a while to process a turn once you hit the turn button).

Some thing's I've done to delay the "first contact" time with other races is to use scattered star systems, fewer stars and fewer races on the huge and gigantic maps. Also by changing the tech rate to slow will also delay range improvement upgrades and lengthens the time for exploration and contact with other civs.

But I do agree...larger maps would be nice.

Also I would like to have the ability for races to change their difficulty settings
1) Perhaps through a galactic event where the races leader is overthrown in a coup and replaced with a more (or less) intelligent leader.
2)Or perhaps through a game interface where the player tells the game "this game is too easy/hard for me". Then the game would increase/decrease the difficulty level.
3) Or perhaps as an adaptive feature where the game sees the human player having an easy time and based on that, changes the difficulty.

3) Or perhaps as an adaptive feature where the game sees the human player having an easy time and based on that, changes the difficulty.

That would be cool, they did that in Max Payne, and that game rocked.

it would be interesting to have a feature that allows one to set the map size oneself at start-up- this should make everybody happy...

What I would love to see would be other galaxies unlocked once one reaches a close-to-win status

Currently the largest map covers an area of 720 light years x 720 lights years. That is enough space to have a player expand out into Loops I, II, and III. That is lots of space.

Here is an image with sector and parsec line sto show you just how much space there is.

I use gigantic and beleive it or not, I would like even bigger. My machine has no problem with gigantic, 9 races, etc.

i use gigantic and beleive it or not, I would like even bigger. My machine has no problem with gigantic, 9 races, etc.

same here. and my machine is 1.5 years old   
also, one should be able to decline a request for warsupport when in an aliance without losing that..or you should be able to send money or so and still stay neutral without leaving the alliance(hope you understand me).And more minors when the map is going to be larger offcourse  but i think whe should post this in the game request section or so.

I like the gigantic map. It seems a good size for me. I might try a bigger map, but don't know if I would like it better. The CPU load seems to come from the number of planets you own. My machine is pretty fast and it does slow down noticably once I've obtained 150 planets or so. You could have a map bigger than gigantic and it would probably be fine as long as the number of habitable planets was limited to some number.

I think the devs have said that the primary issue with expanding the map size is that the AI doesn't handle it at all well.

You'd need an awesome machine to handle gigantic maps with 9 (intelligent) enemies and everything set to abundant (~400 habitable planets).

In 2 or 3 weeks I'll have an E6600 + 2Gb rig. Gimme my 25x25 sector map!

1) I'd REALLY like to have larger maps, but my computer can't handle them. Bah. Still, you can make your own, and there's also Epic in the Custom list for a couple games if you don't want to design your own. (Epic is two sectors larger than Gigantic in both dimensions, but it's unfortunately always the same.)

2) I know I'm not the only one who wants the ability to increase the difficulty during the later parts of the game. Come on Stardock, is it that hard?

You'd need an awesome machine to handle gigantic maps with 9 (intelligent) enemies and everything set to abundant (~400 habitable planets).

Not really. A couple gigs of RAM and some patience and it would be tolerable, I'm just a bit low on RAM...

I use to only play on Gigantic maps and would like to see atleast Map size bigger if possible and maybe all nine races including playing Custom Race that would be great. But on the other Hand i have not played for awhile till the new beta came out and since then I have played 5 games on Medium sized maps and have really enjoyed the change of pace each race with 2 maybe a lucky few with 3 worlds (9 races playing) Makes it a lot harder to get a Tech/Military edge early on.

Sum up: Bigger Maps, Yes Please