I haven't played Gal Civ -  I take what you are saying is there is a sliding scale to add more resources, more crystals etc - or what ever they are in gal civ. I could choose to generate a map with more gold, more food, more crystal or more shards?

which would mean that all players had more not just the PC

if i understand correctly - that would be good as it would make for different challenges in the game and enhance re-playability

There are a lot of missing feature from GC2. Adjustable map features selection, projected movement path and arrival estimate display, sortable city production (I haven't found them anyway), unit search, race creation (though that should be coming back), custom game features (Setting personalties of individual AI teams for example), alignment events, mega events, space stations...

Agree with the post title, those things need to be personalized. I hate for example when there are so many shards that the top side of the interface becomes just a stripe of shards. the other day when I was playing I couldn't even read how much money I had because that number had been pushed out of the screen by the senseless line of shards (but are we supposed to count them? Why not having a number next to them to see how many they are!!??)

yes please.

I tacked that on the end of the list as a joke but now that I think about it you could have watch towers, fortresses/castles and outposts in general that serves the same function in the game.

Build them on or around resources not connected to cities to save you having to station units their, or generally make them more effective. Place them in chock points between mountain ranges etc... The more I think about it the more I must have them.

Don't forget about 'random' setting for all sliders. I always play at all random in GalCiv... and it's always something new to explore.

Race creation is separate to faction creation. You'll note during faction creation you have the option to pick your race, those are also supposed to be able to be created (And have their own strengths and weaknesses I believe).

I have also had maps where there are 2-3 shards at most.  This is on a large map.  Since you have no idea before playing the map - there is no way to have some general sense for resources, shards etc without exploration and playing a full game.  The sliders allow you to have some control without giving away the locations.