I'm really quite disappointed that no one seems to even consider the easier option.
If you download the map script I linked to and place it in your publicmaps folder, you can access it. It's called CustomEarth2. I'll help anyone interested with the settings.
Go to Custom Game, and from the top option that says map, select CustomEarth2. Here are the options:
Add extras to capital- It means, do you want for your capital to spawn grasslands/hills/plains/resources/etc. in addition to whatever the starting position has access to. It can really make Arabia and the Inca much better, but it will change the actual terrain of the Earth Map. For people who want to lower the difficulty for places like Arabia, Inca, and Mali, it's a good setting.
Features- I really don't think it actually did anything.
Resources- It will alter what resources appear. Probably means no Preatorian Rush with Rome, no War Chariot rush with Egypt, no Immortal rush with Persia. However, it can make the race for land more interesting. It will also delete starting resources if it's too plentiful. So, it sucks to be France.
Map Style- Earth Evolution is a slightly modified Earth 18 map. GiantEarthMap is literally, Giant Earth Map, and believe me, don't run this if your comp. is up to speed.
No free techs- Have all leaders start with 0 techs. Another more balancing option, I suppose.
Now, regarding the leaders you want. You'll see rows on the upper half of the Custom Game screen, some say AI, one says whatever the default name for you is, and one says closed. Team means slot, essentially. Scroll to the bottom, and either close or open slots to your pleasure. (For example, if you want 12 civs, 1 should have you default name, 11 should say AI, and one should say closed). It goes up to 18 civs, if you want more, you're going to need a modified DLL. Now, if you look to the upper right of the screen, you'll see options that both say random on the same row as it says AI, or your default name, etc.
What you want to do, if you feel like playing someone specific, is click on the first column that says random and select your leader. If you want to play as a specific nation but aren't fussed on who the leader is(England, China, America, etc.), then just select the nation from the second column that says random. If the civ has only one leader, then just select the nation or leader, whichever you prefer. Then go to the bottom right corner and select Launch! to start your game.
I really hope that atleast one person will try this or I'll be very disappointed that I spent half an hour testing the settings and writing this up to convince people.
Might have to send some settlers out after you killed the entire world that you can get to
