Unbiased Systems

Looks like Paradox have finally included a slider in the galaxy generation screen to outright disable the starting colonies, which pretty much removes the need for this mod! Will keep it up for any version below if needed.

By default, Stellaris has two pre-scripted starting systems with ideal colonies that spawn near your home system. This applies to every starting empire in the game. This is done no doubt to ensure that every empire has a fair start. It’s entirely possible that without them, you wouldn’t find any suitable worlds for light-years.

If you’re into fair gameplay and don’t like pulling the short straw, then that’s great.

But for me it’s irritatingly artificial. I love the feeling of the unknown, being unsure about what sort of galaxy you’re about to step into. I also love the feeling of having to really search for new worlds, rather than have them handed to you.

This mod removes those starting colonies, and gives you the cold dark depths of space as it was intended.

• Removes the script that generates the naighbouring systems in the empire_initializers.txt file for all three "generic start" home systems.
• Does not affect custom solar system starts such as Sol. I decided to keep them as they’re supposed to be a defined part of space already- Alpha Centurai should be next to Sol.

Mod is compatible with latest patch (2.0) and only affects a game when you initially start it (map generation).

Compatible with any mod that does not modify system initializer files:

• empire_initializers.txt

Unfortunately, that means pretty much any mod which modifies world types, starting systems and everything in between. I can’t make it compatible, as this mod relies on removing content from the original file rather than adding to it.

I wouldn’t advise playing with the tutorial switched on and this mod at the same time. The tutorial makes direct use of the starting colonies and thus will likely asplode your computer and half the continent.

Also, this goes without saying- each player will now have dramatically unequal starting points. Some empires will have the luck of having suitable worlds nearby, others will have to search longer. The AI works fine with the changes. If you like fair, this mod is not for you.

Thinner Borders (50% reduction)
Even Thinner Borders (75% reduction)

26-10-18 – Updated mod for 2.1. Fixed new home system types not spawning.

23-2-18 – Updated mod for 2.0.

21-10-17 – Updated mod for 1.8.

6-11-17 – Updated mod for 1.6.

4-11-17 – Updated mod for 1.5.* (removed prescripted (ie. Sol) changes).

21-10-16 – Updated mod for 1.3.* (no changes).

7-6-16 – Updated mod for 1.2.* (no changes). Simplified mod description.

7-6-16 – Updated mod for 1.1.0 (no changes).

21-5-16 – Updated mod for 1.0.3 (no changes).

16-5-16 – Removed biased system spawns from Sol start as well. Deneb still unaffected.