One basic design problem that has always existed with GalCiv, I feel is the hardedged map.  Without wrapping borders it can be a significant disadvantage for an expansionist player to be on the edge (or heaven forbid) a corner of the map.  On the other hand, this can be a defensive advantage, as you only have to worry about enemies on one or two sides of you...  But that advantage really doesn't make up for the loss of explorable space, I think.

So how do we fix it without creating ridiculous cylindrical galaxies?

Well, there's a few ways... We could... 

1) Make the very center of the galaxy inhospitable.  A big black hole.  This essentially turns everything into a ring.  No real advantage to being on the inside vs the outside.

2) Make the outer planets slightly more valuable.

3) Fixed warpgates at the map edge?

4) Elder gods from outside the galaxy send you goodie bags.

Any one else have thoughts on this?