Okay, this is my last idea for IC until I see some money from Stefan.

There should be another galaxy for new players besides the SS galaxy, one which acts as bridge between the SS galaxy (where one can learn the fundamentals of the game) to a regular galaxy (where one can learn how to work together as a fam member).

In this go-between galaxy, each player starts out in their own star-system.  Perhaps there are other players close-by in adjacent star systems, or perhaps not.  Maybe better would be to have players spread-out across a large galaxy, where each player starts out in their own system and the nearest other player is many systems distant.

The point is that what makes this galaxy different from all others is that in ths gal you form a fam by inviting or being invited to join a family.

Once someone accepts to join, it's final for the duration of the round.  Slots open for additional family members as more players join the galaxy.

It could be a galaxy with a many month-long round.