Hey TBS and strategy game fanatics,
This is something I have usually found in Civ games and many other TBS games, but for some reason I found a bit lacking in SINS. When I think of a Civ game to which I have played, I would pick my civ, pick my map size, pick my difficulty and BAM, into a game. What's different? Well you play on a sort of standard, and when you won, you had something to compare for the next game, or you could try under mostly the same conditions but with one difficulty notch higher.
You'll say: Well SINS and Elemental has that but with more options... and to that I agree, I just have to leave it at : It doesn't feel the same. When I talk to someone who has played as much Civ as I have I can go: Well have you ever beat deity on a huge world? He can actually relate to having either tried that, or tried it on a lower difficulty and even tell me how he went about doing so, which victory condition he picked... etc... The conversation doesn't get dilluted into things like: Which civs did you have as opponents? or how many opponents did you put? Did they all have the same difficulty etc etc... Fairly sure would make balance testing a bit tighter too.
I would love if when you selected new game you had fewer options and get quicker into the game with just basic options like your sovereign, empire, map size and difficulty. With a custom game button for those who would like to delve a bit deeper and tweak with winning conditions, the opponents, or even specific opponent AIs.
Making any sense? Love to see what people think... 
Fury