So, I am back and it is great to see so much interest in this next game! I shall pick the first citizen shortly, but first I will attempt to address at least most of the questions out there.
@ pouakai - I'm sorry to see you need to pull out, but I understand. I do appreciate you for taking the time to let us know. I hope you may be able to join us again when you have more time.
@ Ceskari - I'm enjoying your diary entries so far and encourage you (and everyone else!) to keep it up. I think it adds a lot to the game.
@ LegionSteve - I wouldn't get too discouraged about having a small clan just yet. I think you'll find the clan factor part of the random selection is going to help you get Gaiko players into the game despite having a smaller clan. You shoudn't have a major disadvantage to having a small clan until the point where all your members are active and there are no Gaiko players on the waiting list (around 8-10 active players if you stay at the current 2 Gaikos) , and hopefully we can get some more people to sign on before then. Anyway, tats my prediction and we'll see what happens.
@ Anyone else out there thinking about signing up - If you have a strong clan preference, then by all means follow your gut. If you don't have any real preference, or are keen on stepping outside your usual comfort zone, consider going for a Diplomatic Victory with the Gaiko. (Plus, hear me now and believe me later, if you weren't on the France waiting list and are interested on getting born sooner rather than later, a small clan is the way to go!).
@ grzybek - I'm sorry but no additional clans. I will consider it for a future outing. My intent for this game is to setup some conflict between the four clans as each prusues its victory condition. I'm not going to undermine that intent from the getgo with a new clan that wuld essentially be a compromise between two clans. Obviously, there are going to be times when clan's interests coincide. And being in one clan doesn't mean you'll have no interest in the other clans' objectives. Each and every one of the clans will need to use research to meet its goals and will likewise have times when they need military power either offensively or defensively, etc. Your clan really only defines your final objective, not how you go about trying to reach that objective.
@ Triskelli - Actually, in this game I'm going to say no switching clans at all. The intent in having folks sign up again is only to make sure they're still around and still interested in playing (because sadly not everyone is as considerate as Pouakai). My concern is this -
why would a player act in the best long term interests of clan A, if the player's long term goal is to leave clan A and join clan B?. I'm sure there are ways around that problem, but I have enough new things in this game that on this point I am going to keep things simple and say once you join a clan, you are committed to them for the enire game.
@ Mosher - Your call. I'm not rally sure your specific concern, but will try to make the game accessible enough to folks who are less familiar with Civ5. I suggest you watch the first couple players and then decide if you'd like to give it a try.
I think that should answer all the burning questions out there. Will get the game officially kicked off shortly.
Good luck to all! (You're gonna need it!)