The good thing about random map generation is there is a good sense of adventure, no two games will play identically.



The bad thing about purely random map generation is the possibility of an unlucky start, with no systems within reach prior to wormhole crossing tech (which takes awhile) that are colonizable.



I have yet to drop my hiding-in-cowardice from actually attempting multiplayer, but I can already see myself griping if I got in a game like my current single player game in which there were only 3 systems connecting in my starting arm, including my homeworld, and none except my homeworld were immediately colonizable. If this were multiplayer, this unlucky start would be a handicap and make the game a bit less enjoyable.



I suggest that some level of bias for star system generation be allowed, such that all players start with access to worlds of similar quality prior to wormhole tech.



What say ye other players? Would a bias in the map generator be okay if it made more of an equal chance for all players (it could be togglable, perhaps, at starting a new game, or maybe even a slider to either ensure or prevent access to a good, easily colonizable star system from the getgo).

Luck of the draw can add some fun (I always remember the joy we had playing C&C Red Alert on a map I made called 3 building island (for the obvious reason that one unlucky player can end up on an island with only room for three buildings), when you could hear the curse of another player finding themselves starting in that location immediately followed by the giggles of everyone else. Admittedly there were times when the comedy of the situation was not shared by all, so perhaps the best outcome for the above suggestion would be to have an option along the lines of "Equalize Players Start Points" when setting up the galaxy whereby those who wish for an even start can use and those who like the chaotiuc randomness can leave unchecked.