I just added /username username /password password. I am at work at the moment so I can screenshot the target line. If the severs are fixed try removing any changes you made to the target line.
I had this same problem after I updated. Using the /username and /password in my shortcut target line resolved the issue.
I think that by delaying the pioneer you start to make the early game a little more diverse strategy wise. The outpost/city spam isnt flawed or broken and makes sense in the context of the game. In my opinion it just happens too soon, the early game is just too predictable at the moment and does not make for a compelling experience.
I have been watching this game for some time and have started to play the game heavily since beta 4. I am by no means an expert on the best strategy to use but I have a decent grasp of how it plays. From what I have read on these forums and from being decimated by the Pioneer spamming AI, outposts and city spam are currently vital in the early game. I have a hard time understanding why the focus is not on developing your first city and making decisions around the resources in your imm