While I like the flash, it lasts for too long, blinding me but not the AI, and the obscure the lack of other effects. Even the old 1980 vector arcade game Star Castle has better explosion effects (sans flash). Also, if the flash occurs when I bring up the map, the map is totally obscured, and it is impossible to give orders because I cannot see the ships or buttons. The flash should be gone there.
Come to think of it, the white flash should happen only when a ship is destroyed, not disabled; and when a ship is destroyed, we should see pieces flying, not a puny little fireball that makes primitive early 80's arcade game effects look more impressive.