Speaking for all those who play on very large maps, I heartily disagree. Loading a game can take a few minutes even with a nice rig. Thanks for the updates!

Please don`t say such silly things like, "I don`t care for crashes." Crashes should take priority, always. I would give you a reason why, but I think it`s pointless in your case.

Man, I`m trying not be rude here, but that`s one of the silliest things I`ve seen posted in a long time. I trust the Devs aren`t dumb enough to take it seriously. I`m sure they`re not.

but, see, balance issues are being taken care of.  Crashes or other instabilities in the game itself, are much more important in the short term.

to clarify on ludicrous map. If the AI has a negative balance you can take what ever ships you want and pay nothing.

also, I noticed that on my very first citizen, if I create an Administrator, and click the button several times, it gives me lots and lots of administrators.  I've stopped doing that.

edit for clarity, it still only gives me one Administrator Citizen.  But every click gives me another 5 administrator resources.  Eventually it does time out.

Decided to upgrade to Crusades about a month ago.  I see that I have the latest patch update so not sure if that has any effect on the game I created but not too happy.  I played the largest map possible, slowest time frame so I can enjoy a long last epic game.  Not sure about when it happened but after I hit the turn button I have to wait an average of 5 min before it process the next turn.  I thought Crusades was suppose to have the end game in mind especially when it comes to computer processing power.  I don't think I had this issues with the original game and I'm positive I was way further along and didn't have to wait 5 min per turn.  Might have something to do with the galaxy size but didn't have this issues at the beginning stage.  I even started to eliminate computer opponents thinking that might free up some of the computer thoughts with less players to worry about but no still about a 5 min wait per turn.  I also not sure if this is a glitch in game but when you upgrade a fully sized fleet from a commander to whatever upgrade the number of ships in fleets stays the same but shows an overflow of ships.  Once you remove a ship from fleet you can't return it back because of the overflow.  Not sure if this was suppose to be allowed in game but it seems a nice cheat for those fleets with max size and want promotion effect.  Yes you don't move as many turns but size of fleets wins battles.  I'm going to start a new game in the high hopes that my original Crusades game was just glitched since it was created before latest patch.  I would like to play the game without a 5 min wait so I can really enjoy the endgame.  One can only hope. 

Tetleytea I think I agree small maps are probably a bit more balanced, if only they'd disable all the movement enhancing effects.  having a very high move fleet on a tiny map is silly. 

Rennno the minimum reguired ram for ludicrous is 12 gigs what are your specs.

Yes, same for me.