Figured a quick question here might save me some time playtesting several maps.


Looking to create a map for an epic sandbox game
Key Features Empty space rich
Star poor
Planet rich

Tech crytsal win options would be disabled since it'll be a long long game

Basically what I want to ask is how big a map will I need to use for 10 players so that in the inital stages of the game its impossible to meet another player.
And the only way to meet another player is either research up engines and life support tech or daisy chain starbases between stars.

Possibly conisdering 1 star per player and a large number of planets/moons 10-15 around each star making for a very tight clustered empire

2 questions ,
1) how big is big enough while not being too big, I mean I want trade routes to happen dont get me wrong but I want empires to feel isolated from each other at least to begin with.

2) will the AI be able to handle this type of map ? I dont want them to just sit and wait for me to conquer them 1 by 1 I want them to strike out explore and conquer between the stars as well.


EDIT:
If it inital is not possible what about havig more stars surround by low numbers of very low class planets (that require techs to build on them) , so low they're not much more than an 1-2tile outpost would that solve the potetial issue of AI's turtling when they cant find any more planets within sensor range ?