Traditionally this is when you make a post on the forums about how you "beat an INSANE AI on maximum world difficulty TOTALLY EZ YO".

You are totally right Heavenfall!

Depending on the game - I sometimes prefer those positions.   When possible I like to be able to focus everything on one front.    

Build up to that point where you think the AI hasn't exceeded your power by 10 and then take a city.   If the enemy is close, defend like hell - hoping the benefits of defense offsets some of the power difference.  If the enemy is out exploring, take a couple more cities and work a war of attrition if you can exceed the enemies production base.

This specific map is pretty drastic, but might still be fun if the AI is at a high difficulty level.  

Would it be possible for the map generator being as random as it is, produce a mirror image map when focusing on two players. Generate most of half a map, and then rotate flip the map and generate the connecting bits in between appropriately. That I'm sure will just be too much reworking, but maybe something to think about with future game map generators.

I dont see a problem with it, because its a random start...its random.  If you make it not random, then its not random!  I mean, if 2 civs happen to start in the same area in RL, they would have to either get along or fight.  Im sure this has happened in RL and why shouldnt it happen in a game. Especially in a game with this setting, 2 Sovs could meet and decide right there to duke it out.  I like my maps random, which means anything goes.  Others may not.

Could just remove the stamps like that. 

While it is random, starts like that are really undesirable and put the civ that gets it - player or AI - at a severe and sometimes insurmountable disadvantage.

True, but it is heck as anything when you almost win, or just barely achieve victory from such a position. Just saying. I find it to be a total and absolute blast.

No argument there. Sometimes it's worth it to give it a go.

My understanding is that most core stamps that create starts like that were edited to not do it.

I gotta say I'm mixed.

It can be fun to be the person in the disadvantaged position, or sometimes to get a slightly easy win by being in the advantage.

I do admit, it would be nice if there was a option to make random maps "slightly" mirror if possible. Both sides can win? *shrug* 

Hey nice pic Phaedyme! I love Olivia Dunham!

I decided on a rule for my avatars here: Always from JJ Abrams works. Previously was Uhura from new Trek.