Scale up engines with larger maps

What would be the point in larger maps then?

syscryp wrote:

What would be the point in larger maps then?

Larger maps offer opportunities for a greater diversity of available systems for colonization and more room to develop tech, infrastructure, and fleets before meeting a competitor.  

Having greater engine speed would allow for one to skip over some of the less desirable systems that are nearby in favor of more resource-rich systems that are farther.  It affords the opportunity to manage a more vast empire.  It is not a risk-free strategy, because other civs could build between your systems and undermine trade routes and influence-dominance.

I was just thinking that if it were an available option it would create more replayability by challenging the user to come up with a strategy that may be a little different from standard gameplay.