We all know that once you conquer about half the map the game becomes boring mop-up.  Here is how to fix this:

Imagine you set up a 1v1 against the AI.  You both begin inhabiting an area suitable in size for 10 towns.  The North border of this map is an impassable mountain range, the Southwest border of the map is an impenetrable forest, the Southeast border is ocean that you can sail on but further out it becomes un-navigable stormy seas.  As you both fight over this 10-town area eventually you get to the point where you hold 2/3 of the map.  At this point the mountain range to the north collapses revealing another 10-town size area with a fully developed civilization having conquered it.  Now you're in a 20-town area against an enemy on the ropes and a fully-powered enemy holding half the map.

If you manage to hold 2/3 of this 20-town area the forest to the Soutwest burns down revealing another 20-town area with a fully developed civ.  Now you're inhabiting a 40-town map vs. a civ holding 20 towns.

Conquer 27 of the 40 towns and the seas become calm and now you're in an 80-town map with another enemy holding 40 towns.

This would be awesome.  What do you all think?

Wes