Haha, very funny guys. I do not need a universe-long ladder. I already have one.
Capnq:
The purpose of the Ladder is a gathering place for role-players that want some basic guidelines for their empires. It is not simply one big game. The empire size and the monthly "turns" are abstract not directly related to the game itself. When a war breaks out, the players involved settle the conflict by playing SEIV (or SEIII for those few that for one reason or another are averse to upgrading).