First, I thought it was a lack of feature, like I explained here in this thread:

https://forums.elementalgame.com/403481

I detailed here on this page

http://elementalwarofmagic.wikidot.com/xml-elementalmap

No preset Starting location: If you do not set any starting location on the map, it seems that the game will create starting location randomly. Same thing if you are missing starting locations. But beware, they are probably using always the same random seed which means that the "random" starting location for that map will always be at the same place. You also get the problem explained below where the starting location never changes from a game to another.

Randomization of Starting Location: Using Random starting location and setting <RandomizeStartLocation> does not seems to randomize the starting locations. The only thing that will make you start on a different place on the map is the number of player in the game. If you add or remove players, the starting location will change but not all the time. I also tried with fixed starting location and of course, they does not get randomized even if <RandomizeStartLocation> is set.

 

Now, its really a bug. There is really no random starting location. Everytime you load the same map, you will start at the same location unless you change the number of players.

Could you please allow starting location to be random if no starting locations are set and if <RandStartLoc> are set. There is not really a need for a <RandomizeStartLocation> parameter. It's also annoying not to forget to check it every time.