Random map generator upgrade?

As we all know random map generator dominated MP, even though it has many bugs. Some might say it's because of lack of map autodownload feature, IMO it just fits well into 4X-ish style of SoASE and gives a nice thrill every time you start exploring the map. But to the point:

As much as I love the idea of crazy, unpredictable and cruel map generator, I think it's current version needs some tweaking:

1)Fix bugs: famous "roid fuck" bug and overlapping planets

2)Divide random maps into 3 zones: starting zone, "wild zone", and area around sun. Planets X jumps from starting position must be worth at least Y points, factor in neuts. This zone should be very small, it's just variation on "guaranteed roid" idea from stock map generator.

Wild zone covers most of the map and is 100% random, just like it is now.

Area around sun should be guaranteed to have neuts. It would encourage cooperation from players eg. advent sends disciples and vasari scouts to take over neut fields near sun. It might require removing pirate base for balancing.

3)Add option to remove pirate base altogether. It's actually fun to have on huge randoms, but annoying on smaller maps. It can cause cutting map into 2 very uneven parts.

So, question to devs: Are there any plans to tweak random map generator? It's very important part of the game and should get some love.

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Reworking the random map generator would be awesome.

I agree that top priority is fixing the map-screws. You should always have at least two colonizable planets within a 1-jump radius of the homeworld (of which one should be an asteroid), and at least four colonizable planets within a two jump radius. This is necessary to give sufficient player choice in the early colonization period. Often times maps with fewer than this number of planets in close proximity can still be a significant disadvantage even if they do not technically fall into the category of map screw.

The pirate base should stay; in fact, the map generator tends to do a great job of making it a strategically valuable choke point. The problem is that the 1v1 and 2v2 map generator tend to be a little chokey to begin with, so this can often make the pirate base feel more like an annoying blockade than a special opportunity for bypass. Instead, there should be more work to ensure the random map generator doesn't make its 1v1 maps too chokey.

I think part of the problem is that it tries to stretch planets around the entire solar system, even though with only 20 planets there really isn't enough room to do this. It should probably weight heavily to one side to get some more interesting density rather than spreading out and getting one or two chokes near the middle every time. However, this brings up another point: there is a big difference in the character of map between the 1v1 and 5v5 creations. The players tend to be much closer in 5v5 with only a handful of jumps separating them, while in 1v1 the odds of being in immediate risk of a rush are remote.

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