Sure the galaxies have shrunk (for about 28%) but we now have only 10 planets (or 11) which is 50% less than in xtreme.
Moreover, each player has some defense which has to be crashed with some fleet and each fleet needs deuterium to fly. Since we now have to cover more systems with one planet (328.5 in Speed, 214 in Xtreme) fleets have to travel further, and it spends even more deuterium.
If players spend most of their resources on storages they have less for building deuterium synth. Lower deuterium synth equals even less deuterium production which brings us to less raiding. Less raiding means slower progress.
I really do not get it why it is called Speed then?
