I am currently playing in two test games for the adm mod.
ADM 10
ADM 11
ADM 10 had a 1 planet start
ADM 11 had a 5 planet start
There is another game going
ADM 12 had a 10 planet start
I would like to chat with everyone on the game speeds.
The 1 planet start was slow at the beginning but now with the game going on the 70th turn the pace is great.
The 5 planet start is on turn 39. I am light years ahead of the other game.
I found the 5 planet start to quick and the 1 planet start very slow.
But with the slower game. When you meet people you have to really decide what you wish to do and trade plays a very large role in these decisions. Where as with the 5 planet start your self sufficent from the get go.
Perhaps a 3 planet start with incorporate a quicker start but with all the enjoyments of making tough decisions on what to research and where to spend the money.
I'm only involved in the 1 planet start Adamant 10, so I can comment on the other games. However, I find the 1 planet start a little slow - but not proportions slow.
Keep in mind that the games have different tech level starts as well. Adamant 010 is low tech, Adamant 011 and 012 are med tech. This plays a factor. Low tech is designed to be slow, and actually low in technology.