hehe, well those extra resources should make sure the game got started very quickly.

maybe another interesting point in the fast start could be that the immediate grav wells could be already explored. with all the resources available at the start and the capship factory ready to produce, instant information would be helpful. for example, you see a volcanic right next to you? maybe two civic labs are a good idea. just roids, but many of them? maybe two colonising ships may be a good idea.

just saying that information about the grav wells right next to your hw could help you make a better decision what to do with all those resources and it's information you'd normally have those few minutes into the game. yeah, scouts would get you that quite fast, but if you are cautious you might delay any larger investments until then. maybe it's also pointless, because you delay the decision until you make out your enemy, see how far away he is, etc., but I thought I'd just throw the idea out. other games with fast start also give you limited visibility around your starting area.

edit: before I forget: is there a compensation for the difference in cost between the races' scouts in the resources you get at start? it's probably not so much to be an issue, but we want to keep fairness after all. vasari scouts are good enough already with the neutral roids.