diff --git a/engine/match.go b/engine/match.go
index e863bef..4622806 100644
--- a/engine/match.go
+++ b/engine/match.go
@@ -257,15 +257,15 @@ func (mr *MatchRunner) generateMap(gs *GameState, numPlayers int) {
 	// Place cores for each player using rotational symmetry.
 	// Tight spawn radius forces immediate bot contact.
 	// For 2 players: 20% from center (~8 tiles on 40x40) → ~16 tiles apart at spawn
-	// For 3+ players: 25% from center (~7 tiles on 54x54) → ~12 tiles apart at spawn
-	// Attack radius is 3 tiles, so bots need to close ~10 tiles to engage.
+	// For 3+ players: 18% from center (~5 tiles on 54x54) → ~10 tiles apart at spawn
+	// Attack radius is 3.5 tiles (AttackRadius2=12), so bots need to close ~6 tiles to engage.
 	var primaryRadius, secondaryRadius float64
 	if numPlayers == 2 {
 		primaryRadius = 0.20 // Tighter for 2-player to force contact
 		secondaryRadius = 0.12
 	} else {
-		primaryRadius = 0.25
-		secondaryRadius = 0.15
+		primaryRadius = 0.18 // Reduced from 0.25 to force earlier contact
+		secondaryRadius = 0.12
 	}
 	halfRows := float64(centerRow)
 	halfCols := float64(centerCol)
diff --git a/engine/types.go b/engine/types.go
index e284b99..d1afa9c 100644
--- a/engine/types.go
+++ b/engine/types.go
@@ -246,7 +246,7 @@ func ConfigForPlayers(numPlayers, coresPerPlayer int) Config {
 		cfg.ZoneMinRadius = 3      // Tight final zone forces contact
 		cfg.AttackRadius2 = 12     // 3.5 tiles (balanced for 2-player)
 	} else {
-		cfg.ZoneStartTurn = 15     // Start zone early (bots already close at spawn)
+		cfg.ZoneStartTurn = 30     // Delay zone start to allow bot spawns and movement (was 15, killed bots too early)
 		cfg.ZoneShrinkInterval = 3 // Shrink every 3 turns (vs default 5)
 		cfg.ZoneShrinkStep = 3     // Shrink 3 tiles per interval (1 tile/turn)
 		cfg.ZoneMinRadius = 5      // Tight final zone forces final contact