I am fine with Japan, I was looking at either China or Japan(since India was used in Math04) I was leanign to China for the extra movement of their Riders, but I am liking the shorter Anarchy the Japanese will have. I was wondering if we are going to switch to Monarchy, or take a stop in Republic prior to war to increase our science to reach Chivalry sooner, and only switch to Monarchy when we are ready to go out to Dominate the world. Japan, or a religious civ, would be necissary if we plan two revolts. As for the land, I vote for Pangea, since we won't have to transport our forces to another landmass to achieve victory conditions.I think it will be easier and quicker on Pangea, although the challenge of naval transport is ok with me if that's what everyone wants. However, Pangea also allows us to meet the AI earlier so we can possibily trade for techs sooner. Speaking of other civs, are we choosing our opponents or are we going Random? Choosing Expansionists civs could be to our advantage, as long as barbs are off. Their scouts will possibly meet us, as well as each other, sooner allowing us to possibly trade for techs earlier. As far as Standard or Small, I would like to do Standard, since my last couple of games were on small, however small seems to me to be a possibily quicker game. I'm not sure what everyone's thoughts on the length of the game is. Being domination without building to it I figure it will take a little time to reach, hence my desire for settings that might speed it up.
In short, my choices;
Pangea 70%
Barbs off
random civs
size either standard or small