The best solution is to give players the choice in the initial options whether or not bots can be overpowered . Some people like to play with biters off, some people like to play death worlds, some people like infinite non-depleting resources, some people like more scarce resources, some people like...

I think taking away gameplay options away from players is almost never a good game design idea . The early to middle game is about mastering belts in order to unlock science packs. After a point, the player should naturally become more powerful and bots coupled with trains and belts helps in buildin...