Anyway, load up the image here.
http://homepages.ihug.co.nz/~knowles/example.gif

(Its 80k, sorry. I was being quick with it)

Have a look at it, say what you think. Try to use your imagination, don't imagine the trees to look like that, and the mountains,etc. try to imagine them being a lot more detailed and beautiful.

Before I say what I think of it, I just want to say that I think what everyone in this team is doing is great, making a public version of the worlds greatest game obviously has to be done, no questions asked. I'm here till the end. I don't want this thing to die at all.

I am hoping that this idea is still available, because the angle gives a new look and feel to the gameplay. You are tonnes more emerged into the world. So much closer, so much more part of your civilization.
The problem is that because you are so low, it's hard to see behind the mountains or trees. So I thought we could have some sort of transparency on anything that blocks the view or something else.

Also, notice the cave in the background, well while I was drawing a teepee, I accidently made it look like a rock, and when I tied the two together (rock and teepee), I thought why don't we start in caves???

Think of it, you start off with wondering nomads, waiting for their leader (you) to guide them. So you walk all over the map looking for a cave to start in. And you start there. Once your population goes up 1, the cave turns into a building. isn't this so much more realistic and better!?!?
Once all the civs have taken a cave, all the other caves either disappear or become unavailable.