What about scaling the size of engines to the size of the map.

This has been discussed way back when. The method of implemention has been decided, perhaps there may be some final tweaks but I doubt it. I wasn't particularly in favor of the concept when it was introduced, however I do feel I obligated to at least try it out with as open a mind as reasonably possible.

All in all I would expect that fighting ships with speeds in the range of 16 parsecs per week are reasonably achievable. I also expect that transports and constructors in the range of 24 to 32 parsec's per week are reasonable as well. If this is the case then this is pretty much the kind of ship speeds that the AI currently uses in DL.

Yes, I think this is a bit of an annoyance, but I don't think it's game killing. I think it will require more logistical planning to mount an effective offensive than it used to take but that's not necessarily bad. I feel that there are enough new cool features in DA that I'm willing to take some of what I may consider bad with the good. In any case I'm certainly not going to reject it without at least giving it an honest play.