First: in setup_platform_for_player() the platform name should contain the players name to keep it unique or left so it's random. Having 2 platforms with the same name is confusing.
I think there should be a few configure options for multiplayer games:
1) As is (with the name fix at least) each player starts on their own platform but on the same force.
So there is a long boring stretch where everyone basically does their own thing but research is shared. Everyone can remote view the other platforms and work there too. So you could all work together on just one platform and ignore the rest. Eventually Inter-Platform-Logistics is researched and you can start trading stuff between players.
I think there should be an option to start with Inter-Platform-Logistics unlocked from the start or made cheap. I would suggest giving every player:
inv.insert({ name = "constant-combinator", count = 3})
inv.insert({ name = "ipl-provider-antenna", count = 1})
inv.insert({ name = "ipl-requester-antenna", count = 1})
inv.insert({ name = "ipl-threshold-antenna", count = 1})
inv.insert({ name = "cr-construction-reader", count = 1}) if present
Call this 'Cooperative' and the current setup is 'Cooperative (hard mode)'.
2) Players could all start on the same platform
You would have to stop creating new ones and reuse the first platform to teleport all other player.
Lets call this 'Single platform'.
3) Players could be on different forces so they compete with each other.
There is a possibility for new mods here to allow trading between forces and warfare. Could be both damaging other platforms (shoot asteroids at them?) or invading them to take over the hub (built a rocket silo and launch a rocket? Have turrets shoot down approaching enemies?)
Lets call this 'Competition'.
4) Teams, basically a mix of 2 and 3. Each team gets a platform.
And finally 'Team competition'.
While you are at it I think the 'quick start' option could be extended.
An easier start would be to give the player some arithmetic, decider, constant and selector combinators.
Similare the combinator recipes (especially selector) could be made cheaper. Having to wait till you have plastic before you can really programm the assembler and crusher is painful.
Then the above (multiplayer) option to start with some IPL antenna or IPL tech made cheaper for easy trading.
And last the existing option to just give the player lots of starting items.
I imagine a Quick Start section with 4 check boxes for the 4 options above.
