The stock random maps that the listed above have a few flaws that often drive ICO players crazy like: no HW connected asteroids, not enough neutral extractors, too many neutral extractors, too many magnetic clouds and economic dead zones. The developers also created the IGMD so you could manipulate those rules to create your own Random maps. Small Random, Medium Random, Medium-Large Random, Large Random and Huge random (single and multi star) all operate from the same set of rules the developers created. The first thing about understanding the in-game map designer (henceforth referred to as the IGMD) is understanding how the game's stock random maps work. The following is a comprehensive guide to the in-game map designer and will help you understand exactly how it works. So if you're looking to create a specific map whose layout remains the same, go with galaxy forge, but if you're looking to play a user defined map thats different every time you play it, go with the in-game designer.

The in-game designer lacks much of the customizability that galaxy forge offers, but where it is lacking, it makes up for in ease of distribution and random generation. Its a strength and a weakness at the same time.

2) While you can set planets to be randomly generated in galaxy forge, their positions and phase lanes are absolute, which while you may not consider it shortcoming, consider that most MP games are played on randomly generated maps. 1) Galaxy forge maps are difficult to distribute to other players because the multiplayer engines (LAN/ICO) have no map downloading feature. Galaxy forge is certainly a stronger map designer, but it has a two shortcomings that the in-game designer doesn't. Galaxy Forge has cast a huge shadow on the sins in-game map designer, which many have ignored because its a bit difficult to work with, and takes time to figure out.

Edge of the empire modification options