Length of games.

[Skirmisher]

I don't anymore James,theres no point in it. The game(demo) doesn't last long enough. I mean you need to get back to base before times up,so usually by the time you have some goods on your your ship and feel good about maybe fighting,your boss is telling you not to forget to come home on time.
I generally look at the small map,plan out a course of action,avoiding the nebulas(to much time it takes to go through)and stick to it,avoiding enemy fleets.
If I was lucky enough to get good equipment right away,then maybe I might think about taking them on,but that doesn't usually happen.
It's really all about collecting as much stuff as you can to get the highest score.
In my last game, I got a lot of upgrades that where highly rated,but it was close to the home planet as I was headed back with days rapidly running out.