/About settings, I'd like to try not a simple blind poll system, meaning, set up a poll, if it passes, it goes. The Longturn guys are right in one thing: settings should be balanced together and some stuff may not work with other stuff.
For example, I was thinking about artillery class units, and this is an idea how we could make thing a bit different (not too much), to see how it works.
For starters, take the x2 movement (phalanx moves 2, horsemen 4 etc).
Also, give the "artillery class" units (catapult, cannon, artillery, howitzer) "bombardment" ability. (They shoot from afar, don't receive damage, but can only reduce the defender down to 1 HP; a standard offensive unit must finish the job.)
BUT! To compensate for this advantage, give them only *one* movement point. Which is logical, because catapults should move way slower than infantry.
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Another thing I was thinking about was fix the caravans. It makes no sense to have a trade route established that draws revenue from thin air for the next 1000 years without lifting a finger. A one-time bonus is fine - and no problem in making it a hefty one - but eternal profit seems like a not good way to go.
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Also, someone mentioned, and I agree, to set up some AIs so that people dropping in later can join. OR leave a continent or some islands or some space for them to be spawned there, with some extra units... on the other hand, that's roughly the same as setting up AIs... But if we do AIs, have a gentlemen't agreeement not to bash them too much, at least not in the beginning.
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Another thing I'd like to propose is to agree on the GT League. If people are not interested, say so. (On the other hand, whoever *is* interested may keep their own score, only need to agree on the scoring system).
Slightly tied to this is the issue of tech exchange. Apart from damaging the League, it has been apparent that tech exchange favours big alliances (that have advantage of, well, being big alliances, in the first place) and that whoever is out of the loop will inevitably fall behind. Also, the "global tech market" that always comes to existence makes the sole idea of research completely meaningless; no need to research, really, just have good connections and a few hundred coins to buy it and you're safe.
Very tied to this: if it is agreed on, in order for the game not to last forever, science cost should be decreased by 50%, maybe even more.
Also, impose serious restrictions to tech conquer cost to prevent abuses (one city switching sides every turn), maybe even 100%. Together with this, set diplomatic stealing cost at least 50%, probably more.
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Maybe each of these points should be made a separate topic, but that can always be done later.
