The barb huts is up to you. If you feel that this will ease you into Emp feel free. Personally I do not think it will make much of a difference in your favor - and it may hurt you later on when you 'turn' them back on. Leave it on 'Roaming' - that is a very manageable barb level. Also, if you like to play 'expansionist' civs - it will work against you.
Continents demands that you have at least an average skill with naval units - if you do not - then stay at Monarch and play some Continents and Island map games before you move up. Also, on Pang maps players often get used to having a high number of luxury resouces available or just 1 successful war away - on Continents you can easily play through 2 whole ages with only 2 or 3 luxury resouces the entire time. Now if your a warmonger, and usually play at Monarchy gov - it won't make much difference- but if your used to going Republic everytime - the 1 or 2 lux resouces will make great demands on your playing skills.
Hope this helps.
Ision
Continents demands that you have at least an average skill with naval units - if you do not - then stay at Monarch and play some Continents and Island map games before you move up. Also, on Pang maps players often get used to having a high number of luxury resouces available or just 1 successful war away - on Continents you can easily play through 2 whole ages with only 2 or 3 luxury resouces the entire time. Now if your a warmonger, and usually play at Monarchy gov - it won't make much difference- but if your used to going Republic everytime - the 1 or 2 lux resouces will make great demands on your playing skills.
Hope this helps.
Ision