[Gryphin]

I see the Ruins an unimportant serendipty "Fun" part pretty much like "Eye Candy". Yes I make for any planet with ruins as soon as possible in the early game so I don't research techs I might recive. By the time I have reached
Light Crusier, Propulsion 6, ECM III, etc.. I don't even look for them. I focus on colonizing the planets that will aid my expansion.
If you make them part of your strategy I suggest you take: Ancient Race and Rock Colinazsation to max it out.
As for realty? I look for play ballence and some consistancy but not realty.

That said, it might be fun to play a small map with 2 to 4 humans with lots of Ruins. Sorta a Treasure Hunt. What file and settings do I change?
Thanks