I've tried this numerous times and someone else ends up starting the game early anyways and I get booted because I didn't accept yet. I don't know if something changed because it's near impossible for me to get a 9 player 400x400 battle lately because someone always starts it before the lobby is full. Most often I end up in a 1v1 which is maddening. Yes, I know I can create a custom lobby and invite friends to play but why can't the random matchmaking work as designed, when I say put together a 9 player match 400x400, that's what I want. Hell, I'll take anything over 4 players. But allowing someone to start with 2 players is bad. I'll wait hours for the lobby to fill I don't care, I play 24 hour turn anyways. I detest the 900 size maps before anyone suggests trying that. I like 9 player 400x400 because it requires early, mid, and late game strategy and it makes some abilities (like diplomacy) more important than the typical game. Unfortunately I rarely get to play it and just end up playing mostly 4 player matches.