Is there a way to make SEIV more challenging?

[PvK]

Yes, the main solution is to play against humans.

If you only play against the AI, there are various ways you can increase the challenge:

* Invent self-imposed limits to your behavior, so you don't take advantage of the AI's weaknesses, or give yourself other handicaps. Players who do this can make the game as hard as they want, and vary the experience a lot too. For example, play as just one small part of the empire and let the AI control the rest of your empire using ministers. For example, you could play only a single fleet commander, or only the Bureau of Ship Design.
* Give the AI bonuses during game setup.
* Include many AI empires and use the "all AI verus all humans" option.
* AIC mod.
* TDM mod.

PvK