diff --git a/lang/cs.lang b/lang/cs.lang
index 46cbf9f..087f57a 100644
--- a/lang/cs.lang
+++ b/lang/cs.lang
@@ -724,6 +724,7 @@ net.error = {0}
 net.rooms = Otevřené zápasy
 net.no_rooms = Žádné otevřené zápasy.
 net.create = Vytvořit zápas
+net.map_size = Mapa {0}x{1} · {2} hráči
 net.coop_mission = Kooperativní kampaň: mise {0} ({1})
 net.coop_create = Kooperace
 net.coop_editor = Kampaň z editoru
diff --git a/lang/da.lang b/lang/da.lang
index d34481f..6295cf9 100644
--- a/lang/da.lang
+++ b/lang/da.lang
@@ -723,6 +723,7 @@ net.error = {0}
 net.rooms = Åbne kampe
 net.no_rooms = Ingen åbne kampe.
 net.create = Opret kamp
+net.map_size = Kort {0}x{1} · {2} spillere
 net.coop_mission = Co-op-kampagne: mission {0} ({1})
 net.coop_create = Co-op-kampagne
 net.coop_editor = Editor-kampagne
diff --git a/lang/de.lang b/lang/de.lang
index 7be0f8b..5c0073c 100644
--- a/lang/de.lang
+++ b/lang/de.lang
@@ -723,6 +723,7 @@ net.error = {0}
 net.rooms = Offene Partien
 net.no_rooms = Keine offenen Partien.
 net.create = Partie erstellen
+net.map_size = Karte {0}x{1} · {2} Spieler
 net.coop_mission = Koop-Kampagne: Mission {0} ({1})
 net.coop_create = Koop-Kampagne
 net.coop_editor = Editor-Kampagne
diff --git a/lang/el.lang b/lang/el.lang
index 4c4b2d4..c683c42 100644
--- a/lang/el.lang
+++ b/lang/el.lang
@@ -724,6 +724,7 @@ net.error = {0}
 net.rooms = Ανοιχτές αναμετρήσεις
 net.no_rooms = Καμία ανοιχτή αναμέτρηση.
 net.create = Νέα αναμέτρηση
+net.map_size = Χάρτης {0}x{1} · {2} παίκτες
 net.coop_mission = Συνεργατική εκστρατεία: αποστολή {0} ({1})
 net.coop_create = Συνεργατική εκστρ.
 net.coop_editor = Εκστρατεία επεξεργαστή
diff --git a/lang/en.lang b/lang/en.lang
index b4d2d12..333f90a 100644
--- a/lang/en.lang
+++ b/lang/en.lang
@@ -724,6 +724,7 @@ net.error = {0}
 net.rooms = Open matches
 net.no_rooms = No open matches.
 net.create = Create match
+net.map_size = Map {0}x{1} · {2} players
 net.coop_mission = Co-op campaign: mission {0} ({1})
 net.coop_create = Co-op campaign
 net.coop_editor = Editor campaign
diff --git a/lang/es.lang b/lang/es.lang
index 2665b51..486256b 100644
--- a/lang/es.lang
+++ b/lang/es.lang
@@ -724,6 +724,7 @@ net.error = {0}
 net.rooms = Partidas abiertas
 net.no_rooms = No hay partidas abiertas.
 net.create = Crear partida
+net.map_size = Mapa {0}x{1} · {2} jugadores
 net.coop_mission = Campaña cooperativa: misión {0} ({1})
 net.coop_create = Campaña coop.
 net.join = Unirse
diff --git a/lang/fi.lang b/lang/fi.lang
index db3de6a..15dad56 100644
--- a/lang/fi.lang
+++ b/lang/fi.lang
@@ -724,6 +724,7 @@ net.error = {0}
 net.rooms = Avoimet ottelut
 net.no_rooms = Ei avoimia otteluita.
 net.create = Luo ottelu
+net.map_size = Kartta {0}x{1} · {2} pelaajaa
 net.coop_mission = Yhteiskampanja: tehtävä {0} ({1})
 net.coop_create = Yhteiskampanja
 net.coop_editor = Editorikampanja
diff --git a/lang/hr.lang b/lang/hr.lang
index decefd7..f093f31 100644
--- a/lang/hr.lang
+++ b/lang/hr.lang
@@ -724,6 +724,7 @@ net.error = {0}
 net.rooms = Otvorene partije
 net.no_rooms = Nema otvorenih partija.
 net.create = Nova partija
+net.map_size = Karta {0}x{1} · {2} igrača
 net.coop_mission = Co-op kampanja: misija {0} ({1})
 net.coop_create = Co-op kampanja
 net.coop_editor = Kampanja uređivača
diff --git a/lang/hu.lang b/lang/hu.lang
index 0efa6be..d6fc524 100644
--- a/lang/hu.lang
+++ b/lang/hu.lang
@@ -724,6 +724,7 @@ net.error = {0}
 net.rooms = Nyitott meccsek
 net.no_rooms = Nincsenek nyitott meccsek.
 net.create = Új meccs
+net.map_size = Térkép {0}x{1} · {2} játékos
 net.coop_mission = Kooperatív hadjárat: {0}. küldetés ({1})
 net.coop_create = Koop hadjárat
 net.coop_editor = Saját hadjárat
diff --git a/lang/it.lang b/lang/it.lang
index 311d493..739a5f7 100644
--- a/lang/it.lang
+++ b/lang/it.lang
@@ -724,6 +724,7 @@ net.error = {0}
 net.rooms = Partite aperte
 net.no_rooms = Nessuna partita aperta.
 net.create = Crea partita
+net.map_size = Mappa {0}x{1} · {2} giocatori
 net.coop_mission = Campagna co-op: missione {0} ({1})
 net.coop_create = Campagna co-op
 net.join = Entra
diff --git a/lang/nl.lang b/lang/nl.lang
index f6b8871..1b5d7a8 100644
--- a/lang/nl.lang
+++ b/lang/nl.lang
@@ -724,6 +724,7 @@ net.error = {0}
 net.rooms = Open partijen
 net.no_rooms = Geen open partijen.
 net.create = Partij maken
+net.map_size = Kaart {0}x{1} · {2} spelers
 net.coop_mission = Co-op-veldtocht: missie {0} ({1})
 net.coop_create = Co-op-veldtocht
 net.coop_editor = Editorveldtocht
diff --git a/lang/no.lang b/lang/no.lang
index 965e014..492b8a5 100644
--- a/lang/no.lang
+++ b/lang/no.lang
@@ -723,6 +723,7 @@ net.error = {0}
 net.rooms = Åpne kamper
 net.no_rooms = Ingen åpne kamper.
 net.create = Opprett kamp
+net.map_size = Kart {0}x{1} · {2} spillere
 net.coop_mission = Co-op-kampanje: oppdrag {0} ({1})
 net.coop_create = Co-op-kampanje
 net.coop_editor = Editorkampanje
diff --git a/lang/pt.lang b/lang/pt.lang
index ebd8735..61cec49 100644
--- a/lang/pt.lang
+++ b/lang/pt.lang
@@ -724,6 +724,7 @@ net.error = {0}
 net.rooms = Partidas abertas
 net.no_rooms = Não há partidas abertas.
 net.create = Criar partida
+net.map_size = Mapa {0}x{1} · {2} jogadores
 net.coop_mission = Campanha cooperativa: missão {0} ({1})
 net.coop_create = Campanha coop.
 net.coop_editor = Campanha do editor
diff --git a/lang/ro.lang b/lang/ro.lang
index f310322..a14d010 100644
--- a/lang/ro.lang
+++ b/lang/ro.lang
@@ -724,6 +724,7 @@ net.error = {0}
 net.rooms = Meciuri deschise
 net.no_rooms = Niciun meci deschis.
 net.create = Creează meci
+net.map_size = Hartă {0}x{1} · {2} jucători
 net.coop_mission = Campanie co-op: misiunea {0} ({1})
 net.coop_create = Campanie co-op
 net.coop_editor = Campanie din editor
diff --git a/lang/ru.lang b/lang/ru.lang
index b0ce3b7..bf5b950 100644
--- a/lang/ru.lang
+++ b/lang/ru.lang
@@ -724,6 +724,7 @@ net.error = {0}
 net.rooms = Открытые матчи
 net.no_rooms = Нет открытых матчей.
 net.create = Создать матч
+net.map_size = Карта {0}x{1} · {2} игроков
 net.coop_mission = Кооп-кампания: миссия {0} ({1})
 net.coop_create = Кооп-кампания
 net.join = Войти
diff --git a/lang/sk.lang b/lang/sk.lang
index 7ec4e7e..a1150b5 100644
--- a/lang/sk.lang
+++ b/lang/sk.lang
@@ -724,6 +724,7 @@ net.error = {0}
 net.rooms = Otvorené zápasy
 net.no_rooms = Žiadne otvorené zápasy.
 net.create = Vytvoriť zápas
+net.map_size = Mapa {0}x{1} · {2} hráči
 net.coop_mission = Kooperatívna kampaň: misia {0} ({1})
 net.coop_create = Kooperácia
 net.coop_editor = Kampaň z editora
diff --git a/lang/sr.lang b/lang/sr.lang
index 89b385d..f506a76 100644
--- a/lang/sr.lang
+++ b/lang/sr.lang
@@ -724,6 +724,7 @@ net.error = {0}
 net.rooms = Отворене партије
 net.no_rooms = Нема отворених партија.
 net.create = Нова партија
+net.map_size = Мапа {0}x{1} · {2} играча
 net.coop_mission = Ко-оп кампања: мисија {0} ({1})
 net.coop_create = Ко-оп кампања
 net.coop_editor = Кампања уређивача
diff --git a/lang/sv.lang b/lang/sv.lang
index 2aab736..98dd8d4 100644
--- a/lang/sv.lang
+++ b/lang/sv.lang
@@ -724,6 +724,7 @@ net.error = {0}
 net.rooms = Öppna matcher
 net.no_rooms = Inga öppna matcher.
 net.create = Skapa match
+net.map_size = Karta {0}x{1} · {2} spelare
 net.coop_mission = Co-op-kampanj: uppdrag {0} ({1})
 net.coop_create = Co-op-kampanj
 net.coop_editor = Egen kampanj
diff --git a/src/lobby.rs b/src/lobby.rs
index adf2183..1c62cdd 100644
--- a/src/lobby.rs
+++ b/src/lobby.rs
@@ -673,6 +673,17 @@ fn teams_from(sides: &[u8], v: Option<&Value>) -> Vec<(u8, u8)> {
     sides.iter().copied().zip(teams).collect()
 }
 
+// versus map sizes and how many master seats each one has
+pub const MATCH_SIZES: [usize; 7] = [80, 96, 128, 160, 192, 224, 256];
+
+pub fn seats_for(size: usize) -> &'static [u8] {
+    match size {
+        0..=80 => &[0, 2],
+        81..=96 => &[0, 2, 3],
+        _ => &[0, 2, 3, 4],
+    }
+}
+
 fn seats_from(v: Option<&Value>) -> Vec<SeatInfo> {
     v.and_then(|x| x.as_array())
         .map(|arr| {
diff --git a/src/main.rs b/src/main.rs
index 02ec105..8e82730 100644
--- a/src/main.rs
+++ b/src/main.rs
@@ -358,7 +358,11 @@ fn account_action(a: MenuAction, cloud: &mut Cloud, menu: &mut Menu, app: &mut A
             }
         }
         MenuAction::MatchJoin(code) => app.client.join(&code),
-        MenuAction::MatchCreate => app.client.create_land(&[0, 2, 3, 4], app.settings.map_w, app.settings.map_h, app.settings.difficulty, app.settings.surface, app.settings.events),
+        MenuAction::MatchCreate => {
+            // the map size decides the number of master seats
+            let n = app.settings.match_size;
+            app.client.create_land(lobby::seats_for(n), n, n, app.settings.difficulty, app.settings.surface, app.settings.events)
+        }
         MenuAction::MatchCoopCreate(mission) => {
             let all = campaign::missions();
             if let Some(d) = all.get(mission) {
diff --git a/src/menu.rs b/src/menu.rs
index 62e892e..0b73294 100644
--- a/src/menu.rs
+++ b/src/menu.rs
@@ -238,6 +238,7 @@ enum Btn {
     Tab(usize),
     Change(usize, i32),
     MapW(i32),
+    MatchSize(i32),
     Land,
     MapH(i32),
     Difficulty(i32),
@@ -437,6 +438,7 @@ pub struct Menu {
     pub error: Option<String>,   // message on the login and account pages
     pub match_ui: MatchUi,       // copied state of the multiplayer relay, shown on the Match page
     pub coop_mission: usize,     // co-op campaign mission selected on the Match page
+    match_size: usize,           // the versus map size (from the settings, for drawing)
     pub coop_editor: bool,       // the Match page offers a campaign document instead of the built-in missions
     pub coop_league: bool,       // ... and that document is the co-op campaign "League against the Lightwatch"
     league_doc: Option<CampaignDoc>, // the co-op campaign, built the first time it is chosen
@@ -497,6 +499,7 @@ impl Menu {
             error: None,
             match_ui: MatchUi::default(),
             coop_mission: crate::campaign::coop_mission_indexes().first().copied().unwrap_or(0),
+            match_size: 128,
             coop_editor: false,
             coop_league: false,
             league_doc: None,
@@ -682,6 +685,12 @@ impl Menu {
                 MenuAction::Consumed
             }
             Some(Btn::Start) => MenuAction::NewGame,
+            Some(Btn::MatchSize(d)) => {
+                let sizes = crate::lobby::MATCH_SIZES;
+                let k = sizes.iter().position(|&s| s >= settings.match_size).unwrap_or(2) as i32;
+                settings.match_size = sizes[(k + d).clamp(0, sizes.len() as i32 - 1) as usize];
+                MenuAction::SettingsChanged
+            }
             Some(Btn::MapW(d)) => {
                 settings.map_w = (settings.map_w as i32 + d * 32).clamp(MIN_SIZE as i32, MAX_SIZE as i32) as usize;
                 MenuAction::SettingsChanged
@@ -953,6 +962,7 @@ impl Menu {
         self.buttons.clear();
         self.lang_opts.clear();
         self.cur_lang = settings.language.clone();
+        self.match_size = settings.match_size;
         let Some(page) = self.page else {
             self.lang_open = None;
             return;
@@ -2053,6 +2063,19 @@ impl Menu {
                 }
             }
         }
+        // a new versus match: the map size and with it the number of seats
+        if !ui.started && !ui.room_open() {
+            let n = self.match_size;
+            let seats = crate::lobby::seats_for(n).len();
+            let r = Rect::new(ix, yy, 4.0 * CW(), CH() * 2.0);
+            button(gfx, r, "<", r.contains(vec2(mx, my)), FRAME);
+            self.buttons.push((r, Btn::MatchSize(-1)));
+            gfx.text(&trf("net.map_size", &[n.to_string(), n.to_string(), seats.to_string()]), ix + 5.0 * CW(), yy + CH() * 0.5, S(), TXT);
+            let r = Rect::new(ix + 30.0 * CW(), yy, 4.0 * CW(), CH() * 2.0);
+            button(gfx, r, ">", r.contains(vec2(mx, my)), FRAME);
+            self.buttons.push((r, Btn::MatchSize(1)));
+            yy += CH() * 2.4;
+        }
         self.field(gfx, ix, yy, w, &tr("net.join_hint"), 0, false);
         self.field(gfx, ix, yy + CH() * 2.4, w, &tr("net.chat"), 1, false);
         yy += CH() * 4.8;
diff --git a/src/settings.rs b/src/settings.rs
index 7d05be4..aab29dd 100644
--- a/src/settings.rs
+++ b/src/settings.rs
@@ -163,6 +163,7 @@ pub struct Settings {
     pub hints: bool,
     pub difficulty: u8, // rival masters in free games: 0 easy, 1 medium, 2 hard
     pub map_w: usize, // size of new maps (64..256)
+    pub match_size: usize, // versus matches: the map is match_size x match_size (see lobby::seats_for)
     pub map_h: usize,
     pub surface: bool, // new free games: the eastern half lies above ground (forest)
     pub events: bool,  // random events in free games and versus matches
@@ -201,6 +202,7 @@ impl Default for Settings {
             hints: true,
             difficulty: 1,
             map_w: 64,
+            match_size: 128,
             map_h: 64,
             surface: false,
             events: true,