Updated to map_atlases-1.20-2.7.1 and found that the max_map_count config option had changed and will no longer let me disable it as its value range is between 0 and 10000.

I need to update the config. You should set to that high number instead

but waht if i want no limit on empty/filled maps but still want emtpy maps to be needed for filling out more area?

10k is a big enough of a limit and at that point the atlas would probably lag

ive been at 5000 maps once, id love too still have it at unlimited. makes you feel restricted otherwise.

vanilla maps work differently. having too much in a single atlas will slow your game down a bit