I had a game that did the same exact thing. I left my people for about an hour. And when I came back they were all dead. They starved to death.
I had way too much food for 7 people, so they should have never died off.They may have been weakened but not dead.
I didn't have that with my first game(still running)But this second game is keeping me from getting further than 5000 points.
I do have a couple of other games going. But this one won't let my people live. They continue to starve. I have to pause the game anytime I need to leave the computer.
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You cannot do a kindness too soon, for you never know how soon it will be too late.