I actually haven’t played a speed game yet, but I am assuming the initial unit placement is random just like the “casual” games. I am fairly new to CC and when I got hooked this is one of the features that disappoint me the most. I know it would take forever to take turns choosing the territories at the beginning of a casual game. But I think there should be an option in the speed games that allow everyone to set up map by taking turns choosing their territories. This would change the dynamic of the game and could be fun. I hope this makes sense.
Joe