Usually, the Game Operators (GOs) and higher level staff wll start 100 player maps on occasion....possibly the moderators (MODs), too. But if you want a match a certain way, go onto the Global chat and talk to a greenie (MODs and GOs) and request that the next match started have crates or some other specific option.
Usually, the Gold buy-in requirements are for matches that have either Elite AI or Anonymous players.
As to why they start up those passworded matches with only one player....my best guess is that sometimes they are testing a feature. Sometimes, some people just want a match all to themselves to play the "perfect" game against the AI and dominate (and win Gold, in the process).
Sometimes, it is a player that is trying to set up a match to emulate a certain condition. This player will usually bring in a compatriot to set the course of a nation, then kick them so as to return as another nation and set course for it...and so forth and so on. Once that player(s) decides the map is just right, they'll start recruiting other people to join. I joined one such match on day 40.
The most annoying factor about joining a match that has been edited this way is to choose a nation that had a wonky AI player in your stead. You could join and find yourself with 100 level 1 Fighters...or 50 level 3 Armored Cars. You are more than likely to see Fortress built in weird places and new Industrial Complexes built on non-special provinces just because they are close to the capital.
I've even seen an AI build a huge fleet of Cruisers...well over a dozen of them...but they were in Lake Huron of the Great Lakes.
It seemed like such a waste to destroy an entire battle station just to eliminate one man. But Charlie knew that it was the only way to ensure the absolute and total destruction of Quasi-duck, once and for all.
