[quote=@LordZell]
Why do we have to start next to each other I mean one small nations could get surrounded by other players and have no where to expand.
[/quote]

Point taken, but the problem with starting from far-flung areas is the fact that player nations won't be able to interact with each other, only NPCs.

Also, NPCs can and will fight back in my NRP; they are not weak 'Space Filling Empires' waiting for the civilizing influence of the Player Nations. They are as strong as they were IRL, and will not submit easily.