Upon starting a new game, you'll choose your map seed, terrain type, and starting conditions. For beginners, 'Easy' starting conditions are recommended, providing more starting resources and tools. The camera controls are standard: WASD or arrow keys to pan, mouse wheel to zoom, and holding the middle mouse button to rotate. Familiarize yourself with these movements to efficiently survey your land and plan your expansion.
The game speed can be adjusted using the '+' and '-' keys, or by clicking the speed icons at the bottom of the screen. Pausing the game (spacebar) is vital for planning and reacting to emergencies. Don't be afraid to pause frequently to assess your resources, assign jobs, and make critical decisions without time pressure.