I feel silly fighting encampments guarded by Riflemen. If left alone long enough, areas on the map should be able to form barbarian cities that obviously do not try to win the game, and do not behave like city states, but rather like barbarians from Civ 4.

Thoughts?

sounds pretty good, I see no reason it wouldn't be possible, likely even quite easy. I agree though, I actually haven't witnessed riflemen barbs yet, usually I try to fill in all the fog so they don't spawn, unless i'm xp farming.