Tiny event/resource/etc density - What am I doing wrong?

I think it depends on the game really. I've noticed in Sandbox mode that the resources are generated randomly (as far as amount as well as where they are located). So some games, I have alot of resources, and others it's kind of barren. However, keep researching the adventure tech tree. There are techs to unlock more resources, techs that unlock quests, and techs that raise your notable location level. It's not too intuitive on which does what, so read the description of each tech carefully. I've played on about 3 different large maps, and haven't had too much issues with resources/stuff to do yet. One game did take a bit of research first though...

Also, I noticed for the empire, I think the Diplomacy tech tree has some stuff too like recruiting darklings, and other more powerful monsters you can recruit into your army.

It all depends on the game settings you pick before starting a game. Different settings make for very different gaming experience. Try to start the game with a smaller map and advance the quest and notable locations tech in the adventure tree, not the resource tech, to keep pushing for the quests and dungeons to appear.

Maps have a vast space in the game, as you already observed, so if you don't like vast spaces with nothing in between you have to set the game to smaller dimension. Try a "small" map with 5 other factions.

I don't believe I should have to settle for a smaller map. I wanted to play a nice epic feeling level. Is it really set up so that the amount of resources (I'll just use resources as a generic term for everything interesting) in a game are static, and the bigger the map the more spread out they become? I wanted to be able to have a lot to do while I build up on a large map, eventually find an enemy in mid game, and duke it out with them through end game. I guess this just isn't possible here.

I would like to know why the density of these resources cannot be modified. When there are only 3 map sizes, I don't see why one to two thirds of the game should have to be boring.

The only problem I've had is that I have a tendency to not have enough AI players with me in a large map. Like I said, research the right techs, and you will have plenty to do. Although I think there may be an issue here. It DOES seem like there are more things around on a small map. I don't know if this is because the same amount of stuff is randomized no matter the map size or not. But anyways, concentrate on the adventure and diplomacy techs. If you find a lost library, it shouldn't take too long to get alot of good stuff showing up.

There are four map sizes and you don't have to settle for a smaller map. All of that is possible. Again, it depends on the setup. If you want to play a large map with lots of resources and things to do you have to:

1) Put as many other factions in the game as possible. The research output of all factions in the adventure tree will make resources, dungeons and quests appear in the world on a regular basis and they will all contribute to the difficulty of the monsters around.

2) You have to make the adventure tree your main research focus. The earlier you begin to race down the adventure tree the bigger is the effect.

If you stick to these principles you should find a lot of resources in the game, even on larger maps. Maybe not as condensed as on the smaller ones, but still enough. Just keep in mind though that the more you put into the adventure tree the faster the spawn rate of monsters will be.

Maybe part of the problem is that I am impatient and do not have a tech tree in front of me for all the possibilities. How far up do these things level up? I got adventuring up to level 7, going straight for the techs that display items on the map. I had gotten at least through the one that increases crystal visibility, and still hardly anything appeared. Is my impatience getting the better of me, or do I already have the major techs that should open these things up?

All trees are infinite. The main rewards of the adventure tree will be maxed at around level 20, but you can still keep on researching it as long as you want to. It also depends on the other factions. If they are lazy and don't put a lot of research into the adventure tree it will also influence your experience. Therefore my suggestion to deal with as many factions as possible.

The amount of these things available initially seems to be based on a random seed.    You definitely do NOT need to play a smaller map to get more of these.   I play exclusively large maps (and I'm looking forward to even larger maps in the future).   Some new games are absolutely loaded with goodies/events, and others are spread much further out.   I'd just suggest reloading if the map doesn't look promising from the start.

You can also increase the number of these goodies/events by researching Adventurer Tech tree.   At the moment this is the first thing I do when i start a new game, as I really enjoy leveling up and equipping my heroes from them while the city builds.    With a bit of luck, you can get 2-3 levels in this in the first 30 or so turns and have plenty of events to keep you busy

Eventually I'm sure we will get an option to be able to adjust this at game creation (Like in GalCiv 2), but for the moment you can either just reload until you get a good variety, or until you get a lost tech temple so you can rush through the adventure tech line.

I'm currently lucky and playing a game where both occurred, and I can't even clear things fast enough.    It almost feels more like a game of HoMM and I've totally neglected my city/civ building, but I'm still having a blast (and making far more gold than I can spend at this point).

Each game is different, and that is one of the great things about this and gal civ 2.  There are some games where you get lots of empty space, and others with virtually none.   They typically play very differently and help to give great re playability to the game.   Eventually I'm sure we will have the options to specify exactly what type of game we want, but for now there is always the new game option if your looking for a specific type of game.

I ran into same issue. V1.05 seems to have a lot less items of interest on the map. I researched the adventure tree 5 times to reveal more resources but no too much showed up (I even re-explored).  Also the maps seem to be more ropes of land tangled up, rather than single land masses.

There are also things that pop up from researching other trees - Diplomacy upgrades can include some troop creation things, I kind of remember some popping up from other techs. Also, all elements of the adventure tree add to what you see, not just the one that states it uncovers resources.

It seems like each new patch keeps causing less things to spawn! I just don't understand it. The problem, Vondom, is at the beginning of the game, things look good. There never seems to be a lack of stuff in my immediate vicinity. It is when I actually start leaving my base to look for optimal squares to build my next city that I run into problems... Well I take that back. I don't run into any problems; I run into nothing at all- just barren landscape. At that point I've already expended a significant amount of time in the game, and I don't feel like reloading to have the exact same thing happen to me 30 min later.

SJ, you are researching the wrong branch in the adventure tech... Try mixing it up all in teh adventure tech and then you will begin to fin spawns of places to visit for goodies and Quest huts etc... 

If you try one approach and it fails, try a new approach next time and see if the results differ...

Obscenitor... I see you

Anyway, the Hierogamon link at the top of the page has a list of all the techs and what they unlock .