I think a lot of people were frustrated with the slow pace of the first pond run, and we were "searching" for some way to make this game interesting quicker than the current pace of that game. I think that if the ratio is lower than 40 to 1, which it is currently, it makes the game get 'interesting' much sooner.

I think another way to 'solve' this issue is to allow us to create games with fewer people, so those of us that want, can play more "end games", say start with 6 players, then it would be exciting from the very first move!!