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

[Fyron]

You could get both TDM and Pirates and Nomads. Copy the Races folder from TDM into P&N. Run the AI Patcher to make the AIs work in P&N. Then, play as a Pirate or a Nomadic race. That will give you a run for your money...

Pirates and Nomads Mod

[Q]

Choose team mode in the game setup:
No AI empire will make a treaty with you but all will fight together against you.

[Ragnarok-X]

In addition there was a suggestion about changing the culture modifers massively (i.e. construction rate per culture +100%), so you could give your AIs enhanced cultures while you yourself choose neutral (which i.e. gives no bonuses)

[rdouglass]

Just my personal Favorites to make the game more challenging for solo play:

1. As suggested, put self-imposed limits on your own empire. For instance, don't glass any planets or use any racial advantages.

2. Use only 1/2 of your race points at game setup )or none if you want a bigger challenge)..

3. Don't force Neutral empires to surrender (or any empire for that matter) - it's too easy to grab tech and breathables.

4. And of course, max out the AI bonus and difficulty.

5. Try the AIC mod.

6. Don't trade ANY tech.

Also as stated, with a little creativity, you can make the AI more challenging.