I have created the game 250 max stars to start, No real star option. i have started disasters off as well as no ruins on any planets in the system, however I had rolled dice and prepared such things, if a disaster is to happen only I know when it will start, just to make it that much more fun. also the current name of the government is still the Terran Federation as no name was ever set. this can be changed by the senate whenever its felt nessisary. I chose United states for the main themes, mostly because the united states name theme has lot of diversity in them. however there are four other slots avilable for other name themes. Chin is a pretty obvious choice, im thinking Spanish as another, maybe french, german, or russian and then finally a middle east or afrikan choice for the final.
Tech we started with a Trans Newtonion empire, plus I instant researched boat and hangar bays along with all conventional engine research and missile launcher reduction size to box launchers. I always felt the box launchers should be available from the start to simulate small planet bound defense craft like fighters or shuttle gunboats of sorts.