I've read many posts on this thread and one major concern is that some game changes in the past and present confer too much power to large or ICS empires. I agree with that, however I currently fail to see a real solution right now that is being implemented.
One major problem with small empires is that generally in history and in this game itself being smaller doesn't have much benefit. A larger empire can take more hurtful blows economically and militarily before it loses much, while a smaller empire will quickly lead into a downward spiral if one crucial city is lost. Another problem is the buildings and renovating of land that one owns as "king". The buildings with wonders do give small cities some small benefit with a smaller every city requirement, however the larger amount of production from having more cities makes buildings overall still favor large empires. Land renovation is worse for small empires, with more variety of resources given to a large empire and generally speaking large empires will have more better land to renovate before they are forced to renovate worse land. Though this renovation benefit mostly only applies to the beginning of the game. (Example: making many farms on river irrigated land or mines first on resources vs a smaller empire that might be forced to make renovations on tundra)
Of course another question is whether larger empires having an advantage is that unfair in any case, considering that more land is more power usually.
One major problem with small empires is that generally in history and in this game itself being smaller doesn't have much benefit. A larger empire can take more hurtful blows economically and militarily before it loses much, while a smaller empire will quickly lead into a downward spiral if one crucial city is lost. Another problem is the buildings and renovating of land that one owns as "king". The buildings with wonders do give small cities some small benefit with a smaller every city requirement, however the larger amount of production from having more cities makes buildings overall still favor large empires. Land renovation is worse for small empires, with more variety of resources given to a large empire and generally speaking large empires will have more better land to renovate before they are forced to renovate worse land. Though this renovation benefit mostly only applies to the beginning of the game. (Example: making many farms on river irrigated land or mines first on resources vs a smaller empire that might be forced to make renovations on tundra)
Of course another question is whether larger empires having an advantage is that unfair in any case, considering that more land is more power usually.
