Something I should have said last night: Saltwater shellfish make for late, slow food: It's rarely worth even connecting them before the first Settler. "France" (Player 7) definitely has the best start here, and only needs one tech (hunting) to hook everything up, all of which will be compounded by their potential land advantage. "HRE" (Player 2) also has a much better capital than most with three land foodhammer tiles, and "Germany" (Player 6) with two agri land food is likewise strong compared to all the seafood players. "China" (Player 1 - turns out there is another inland start) is harder to evaluate: Their best tile is worse than any other player's, and they're clearly worse off than players 7, 2, and 6, but the double lake clams, combined with the size of the map, probably more than catches them up with the lesser starts.
Also, from looking at the map last night: Some but not all players have copper or horses in their BFCs. I don't like having either at the capital (later strategics, even including iron, are fine) but when some capitals have one it and others don't, the "haves" have a big advantage over the "have-nots" - probably a bigger advantage than an extra saltwater clam or crab.
Answering one of my own implied questions from last night: Yes, contesting someone else's home island from overseas is a real possibility for land significantly closer to the overseas capital, if played correctly. So that's a good thing and potentially interesting!
Also, from looking at the map last night: Some but not all players have copper or horses in their BFCs. I don't like having either at the capital (later strategics, even including iron, are fine) but when some capitals have one it and others don't, the "haves" have a big advantage over the "have-nots" - probably a bigger advantage than an extra saltwater clam or crab.
Answering one of my own implied questions from last night: Yes, contesting someone else's home island from overseas is a real possibility for land significantly closer to the overseas capital, if played correctly. So that's a good thing and potentially interesting!