What happens if I "Force Start" a game

Hi all. First time poster here,

I arranged a private game with some friends and we’re now on to round two. There are 3 or 4 players who haven’t joined yet and I plan to give an ultimatum and start without them so as not to hold up the others.

If I click “Force Start” in the admin setting now, what happens? Are the empty slots filled by AI? Does the galaxy just only have fewer players? Can the laggards joins later?

Just want to know what to expect. Thank you!

When you “Force Start” a game, the unfilled empires are controlled by AI.

Once a game begins, no new players may join into a game.

The “Restore Player” button only brings back players who went AFK.