[thejeff]

It's still not really helpful, though it changes the dynamic a bit.

Even with 30 provinces/player that's only a 60 province map. Capitals are likely less than 7 provinces apart. You're going to have a border within the first year and likely be fighting at once. Long thin maps with starting locations at either end would help, but even if only 5 provinces wide there are ~ 10 provinces between capitals - and you know which way to go.

I'm unsure of the effects of making it really huge. Say several hundred provinces for 2 players. That might give a boost to late game strategies, or might allow the rapid expanders to just devour so much territory they'd be unstoppable.

You might be able to set up maps/mods reflecting the various stages of the game? Early is easy, default. For later stages, start with provinces owned and some research done?