Because it does. However, everyone has "a chance", just not necessarily a big one and there is nothing stopping you writing stories to get you on the ladder. By the time we hit the third city I suspect nearly everyone on the list will be in the game. It may well be that prestige awards will increase in later eras to dilute the early starters advantage in that respect.
Filli Is correct it does favor those who joined first. It is supposed to be somewhat random, and it was. I told no one when I was posting, I didn't control who saw the thread first. I realize the rules about birth are unpopular. I added it to the list of things to change, but I want to see how the game evolves with the rules as they currently are. In addition, I want to ease into the workload that there will be with 12 or so players all having their own families, actions, and movements. I'm sorry Christos if you have lost interest in the game, I don't know what to tell you. As filli said above, once we get to 3 cities most of the players will be in the game. Also, I have to tried to make the structure one that will make it easier for players to have ample chance at their own power.
I also want to highlight the fact that those who write RP do have an advantage, and as more prestige is getting earned, the more will be awarded to those who write RP to help balance it. If you write RP that obviously took time (or you are just that talented that you can produce quality work in little time) then you will get RP points. So far here are the current standings in prestige:
Current Standings
Jehoshua - 109
Filli_Noctus - 39
Tambien - 37
Aaronious - 29
Mickzter - 17
As you can see Players in the game have larger prestige (and those on top much larger), but Aronious, for example, will have a much better starting point then those who don't RP. Also as we get further in with more technology there will be more chances for prestige. I'll admit I have been holding back a bit just because of all the players not yet in the game.
Well a late starter player will just have no chance to even try to go at the top of the power and the game will die.
Also one thing that gets on my nerve is that in this game you gain prestige for writing stories and not for you in-game actions. So the people who cant really write a story and start later will have a huge disadvantage.
Of course this could be fixed, but the main problem is that player to be born, he must wait 1,000 turns and gets bored. I haven't watched the thread since the second update. I dont even know what happens. The only thing i know is that ( once more) Jehoshua rules.
Well even if that were true GaP didn't die, and we all know the chances of someone being able to dislodge the triumvirate. In any case that is not true. The way the city states work it would be much easier to dissent than in that game. (This effect would have been augmented by the random player leader that you all did away with. I was surprised any on the waiting list would agree to that, accept for those who maybe have some connection to Jehoshua) Even if Jehoshua somehow worked a way to stitch together the city-states all under his rule, he'd have a hell of a time with it. There have only been 6 Sessions, and I usually summarize what happened each session in the Mid-Session and Conclusion Updates, which aren't even long. Not watching the thread is the players' fault and I can do nothing about that. On top of that I have started hastening along the process of new people being introduced. Though it was met with little appreciation.
Even if you were all in the game, I guarantee you would not all be having the most interesting experience ever; especially now when Jehoshua has such tight control over the city. Also Aaronious' point above is a good point. Other cities will have an advantage over Athens, and other players will have an advantage over those who are currently in the game. While they are all confined to a single city fighting each other for the top spot (though admittedly there is little fighting for it after Tambien's death), while you all get a chance to start in a new city, with a new population.
Edit: I also want to note to those in the game, and those soon to be in the game: As long as culture strength is high you can found a religion. Currently, though state endorsed, Jehoshua's religion would qualify as a cult. There is a chance that other cults (as long as they follow the general culture of Pagan Athens) could beat out his.