Currently, the hard/insane AI cheats its way to get more resources, so it can be more challenging.

I think it would be good to have handicap settings, which can be tuned for any player. the AI 'hard/insane' settings would be like 'handicap templates' which would instantly set advantages for the AI.

It shsould be possible to give handicaps to players too, just to level the playing fields with different skill levels. The settings should allow for negative values.

I don't know exactly what are the current AI cheat bonuses, I only read it's extra credit/metal/crystal. Therefore, my proposed handicap settings:

Bonus resources / sec. (each resource should be settable individually - absolute value or percent multiplier) Ex.: +10/1/1 , +10%

Bonus resources / planet (individually settable - absolute value or percent multiplier);

Increased fleet allowance (percent multiplier)

Increased capital ship allowance (absolute value)

Increased star base levels (absolute value)

Increased shields/hull/damage/antimatter (settable individually - percent multiplier)

Increased civilian / tactical slots (settable individually - absolute value)