[dogscoff]

True. I guess you have 2 options:

1> Edit the map and starting points so that they make contact immediately, then take control and effect the surrender.

or/and

2> Play with all empires under human control until you have them all the way you want them - and then you can start playing properly at turn 10 or 20 or something. You could effectively delay the first turn of the game for as long as you like by simply preventing any/ all players from developping.

In the same way you could also create more detailed scenarios (ie certain races have tech advantages, colonies, fleets already built...)

Unfortunatly you lose the first turn research bonus doing this, but you might be able to use the cheats to counter this. Not sure.

If you do have a go at creating your scenario, please post the files for everyone. I don't think I've seen any scenarios uploaded yet.

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"Pinky, are you pondering what I'm pondering?"
"Uh, I think so, Brain, but balancing a family and a career ... oooh, it's all too much for me. "