What if there were a nation demographics and the map was shown with up to date flags on it, when new people make a determination.
Demogrphics:
1. Name of Nation on Map
2. Overview - Each king/new king can write or change a small summary of their nations philosophy and play style in x amount of words or less
3. Economy - high level economic overview with ship tax levels - low - medium - high
4. Nation focus - From kings as well - Port Economics (banks, gold, plantations), Trade, Battle, Piracy, Training. list all with a scale of 1-5 for kings to fill in in order of importance to that king.
5. Nation Diplomacy (nation play style)- Set by king - Pacifism - Neutrality - Aggressive - Pirates
6. World View of Nation - Pacifistic - Neutral - Aggressive - Dirty Scalawags - Everyone gets to cast one vote on how they see that nation. Only have this option for those on the map. Can change your view/vote once per week if wanted, if not your original vote stays until you do.
I wonder if there could be a Permanent training nation on an unused tiny island on the map, for the first x hours of play, that would come with a small daily stipend to help newcomers get started, lead by a rotating position (king) from those who wish to teach. There would be rules against certain activities or warring while in this nation. After the training missions are done, and play hours exceeded, they then must choose a new nation.
For nations not on the map:
1. follows as is now.