These game setting made for a fun opening game

[DeckerdJames]

This isn't a new idea, but I think it is worth mentioning for new players that have not thought of it yet.

For a slower paced game with a chance for more space between civilizations. Removing all the science city states will slow down the rate if technological progress.

-huge world
-8 players (fewer than normal)
-24 city states
-remove all science city states

edit:
I was thinking of trying a game with only one of each type of city state, but it means that whoever the science city state is close to will probably get a technological lead.