Since downloading the latest patch I found that I could select NO PIRATE ATTACKS.  Now I really enjoy the game. It is almost overwhelming in it's depth.  Fights between ships is kind of bland.  Most of you are too young to remember the games of the late 70's.  There was a Basic program called Starwars and for graphics it used keyboard chars. to form the spaceships.  It was a turn based game and you placed your ship up against the enemy to attack.  The strongest one was always the winner.  My Son still remembers when I killed my first Klingon.  SOASE uses the same setup that was used years ago only with fancy graphics and more distance between ships.  Unfortunately there really isn't much more you can do unless your programming an Arcade game.  The game is complex enough without having to make the ships do loop-de-loops and all that jazz.

Changes I'd like to see is more firing tracers.  I shouldn't have to highlight a ship to see if it's firing or at what.  Also I'd like to be able to bring up a map of all the places my Scout ships have located and the Jump Sequences.  When I have six or more planets under my control I start losing track of which planet can provide reinforcements quickest.

It's a great game but it does need refining. As a retired programmer I appreciate good games. Thanks.