[Xietor]

I was just looking at last year's Big Game. The final turn was turn 94. Only a handful of nations were left. Even fewer that could actually fight LA Ermor or LA Ryleh. Those nations were:

LA Ryleh-Evilhomer
LA Ermor- Velusion
MA Agartha Atul
MA Ermor -Lolomo
MA Ctis-Xietor
MA Pangaea-Hadrian(though I am not sure he would have lasted long in any major war)(he mostly picked on small nations).

Alive but I am unsure of their status-doubtful they had much left or could have fought off tartarians hordes for long(but I may be wrong)

EA Oceania- Amhazair
LA Pangaea-Lingchih
EA Pangaea-Szumo
Machaka-Reay
MA Ryleh- Salamander
MA Pythium-Zoshan
MA Tien Chi-Tichy
ma jotunheim-solo
la abysia-Stelteck

EA Oceania was, at one point in the game, a major power. When the game ended I was at war with the LA Ermor block, and had been for several turns. Several races were sitting on the sidelines watching. LA Ryleh being one of them.

But I think the thing you see from the 2 games, is there is very little carryover between races, but a lot of carry over between players.

Lolomo and Atul have new races, but are yet again contenders. Evilhomer is a skilled player, but he did not survive the 3 on 1 scare his presence generated. I think player skill, diplomacy, and luck(where and who you started next to) play major roles in your chances to survive the early and midgame.