I have been thinking about adding the ability to setup star systems, not sure if it would accomplish exactly what you are describing, but might be close.

Overall I do not play multiplayer – testing multiplayer is basically impossible for me given that it would require multiple steam accounts and multiple copies of the game, which I do not have.

We are 5-6 people, almost always play duels on a small map, as the time takes 1.5-2 hours and it is interesting. Sometimes we play cluster. But we almost always face the problem of generating a map. We can help you with testing.