I actually disagree with the 100% even game.

Games such as travian and tribalwars demonstrate a bad example of unevenness. Your position almost completely determines whether you will live or die in the first few weeks.

However if your game is just a team vs team game, which will only go for half an hour to an hour, then you will find that having a randomly generated situation is sometimes quite fun (although it must not be too unbalanced).

The "Pro's" at the game, will be excited by the idea of winning even if it was unfair for them, and when it is easier for them, well big deal, its only half an hour.

The not noobs or pro's people will thrive when advantaged, and learn more when disadvantaged.

And the noobs will enjoy a higher success when it is an easier situation, but will have the excuse of "well i'm still learning" when they get flogged.

This works especially well, when people are matched up to someone of a similar "Level" or "Experience"

...

Just my 2c