Indomitus, although your way got us playing together, it doesn't allow them to start the game on their end as it does with the 'explore' mode.
I can set it all up as a sharegame, but we aren't able to have anyone but me start the game up.
So a friend and I really like the way that the large islands are in the editor, but haven't figured out a way to make those, then make them be explore type sharemaps instead of one of us having to host it when anyone plays.
Is there a way to generate those large (huge!) maps in the explore mode or change a game type to explore?