[mac5732]

In regards to the fuel, how about no quantum reactors, ships have to have supply or take it with them. also starting races, get no racial traits such as organic, temporal, etc, they may pick characteristics like Traders, warriors, etc, only get standard weapons you start with plus, up to missle level 2 only, shields and armor up to level 2 only, no ship research higher then battlecruiser, scanner up to level 2, combat sensors not higher then level 1 same with ecm or maybe level 2, mineral, rads, organics only up to level 2, monoliaths only level 2 or 1,, no stellar manipulation, no ring worlds or sphere worlds, no sun destroyers, high catstropic events, no beam or other type cannons above say level 3, only up to large weapon mounts available, no med or large fighters, only light carriers, PD's only up to level 2 or 3, no other standard weapons above level 2.

just some ideas Mac