AU 100-A DAR 6: The Industrial Era

[nbarclay]

This DAR covers events in AU 100-A as players play through the Industrial Era, ending when players enter the Modern Era Era.

[nbarclay]

Prince Level, 1725 AD

The war with Spain went fairly smoothly thanks to America’s technological advantage. Once catapults battered down cities’ defenses, riflemen could take out the longbowmen that were still Spain’s best defenders relatively easily most of the time, and older units could mop up what was left. Barcelona fell, and then Seville (which proved to be the most costly city to capture), and finally Madrid. Germany re-entered the war shortly before the fall of Madrid, and it was probably they who razed the last Spanish city.

Long before the war was over, America shifted mostly back to a peacetime production status. Research continued, pushing through to Biology and Physics before going back for Nationalism and Constitution. Next came Corporation and the Assembly Line, which brought about massive construction of factories and coal plants. By the dawn of the Modern Era, America had Artillery, Democracy, the bottom techs through Combustion and, to enter the new era, Radio. With research proceeding rapidly, and with a lot of techs that give access to wonders becoming available around the dawn of the modern era, wonders have started to sprout all over the nation. Near the end of the Industrial Eera, America made what will probably be its final civics changes, adopting Universal Suffrage and Emancipation.

In the aftermath of the war with Spain, I found something else I really hate about Civ IV’s design. After I took Seville, Germany’s borders almost immediately expanded to largely encompass the city, and the city went through a series of riots that ended in its defecting to Germany. Having it be that easy for a city to flip to a third party in the aftermath of a war is neither fun nor realistic. It ought to take time for German culture to expand through the formerly Spanish territory to reach the city, time in which the new owner can build up culture in the city to defend against the encroachment.

America also started settling the islands to the southeast, with two cities on the larger island and one on the smaller one. Germany founded a city on the larger island as well, and the rest is enough of a frozen wasteland that America probably won’t bother with i - unless, perhaps, I decide to use it to put me a bit closer to the domination threshold.

The American Empire now has almost 45 percent of the world’s population and about a third of its land area (using F8 statistics), and F9 shows about three and a half times the GNP and more than eight times the manufactured goods of the average AI. America actually has significantly more manufacturing power than the rest of the world put together! With a large tech lead and that kind of production, I’m starting to think I may try for a domination victory.

The screenshot below is of what used to be Spain.

[teriakiburger]

Monarch Difficulty

In the Industrial Age the war caused by the Egyptians attacking us continues, who knows what they thought they could gain? Relations were positive, but they were jealous of American spendor.

The siege of the Pi-Ramses continues in 1645, with just 1 cannon doing the duty for now.

By 1655 I have railroads, and research begins on combustion.

In 1665, Pi-Ramses is burned to the ground.

Next stop for our forces will be Heliopolis. It too shall be burned.

In 1675, our forces are at the gates of Helioplis. Constituion research is underway for the Corporation.

In 1685 after the cannons bombared it down, the calvary and rifleman stormed the gates and burnt Helioplis to a crisp.

After burning 2 of her cities, peace is made for some gold. Finally I can build West Point where the Heroic Epic is.

In order to build up our weak navy, iron clads are ordered for the coast line.

Next we go for Democracy by 1720, and then the Assembly Line putting off Scientific Method for as long as possible. By 1735 we have Assemby Line, so since we dont need Facism go for Scientific Method.

In Chicago we start the Statue of Liberty in 1735.

In a fascinating find in 1745 we discover the barbarian city of Teohuacan, primitives with warriors, a verification of the evolution.

By 1765 we have Physics and go for Biology next. We change our government to Emancipation and Democracy for more output. After Biology in 1780, we go for electicity. Next up is Industrialism in 1820, which gives us Seal action and go for Plastics next.

In 1845 we enter the Modern Era.

[Fireb]

Emperor difficulty: 1330 - 1555

Prologue This DAR marks the end of the renaissance phase. I put it here as it sets the scene for the industrial DAR (below).

Recap In the past 300 years America has transformed from a backwards swamp into an economic powerhouse. Science is running at 90% (up from 50), and the era of colonisation is about to begin with America about to build the first galleons, a few turns ahead of the other civs.

1330 The devilish scheming pays off. Bismarck converts to judaism (american religion), whilst before he was confucianist (Mongol religion). This comes right after america switched to free religion. Still, America is pleased as this means that Bismarck and Genghis may no longer like each other, or at least they will both like America more than they like each other, which is the important thing when it comes to a diplomatic victory.

Relations with genghis are up to +11, in spite of the closed border bug.

The same year, the barbarian island city of Tartar is discovered. It is nicely developed, with lots of resources, and defended by warriors whilst in a few turns American galleons will disembark with knights, macemen and settlers.

1400 In a thrilling moment, Genghis declares war on Bismarck, and Saladin is at war with Hatty again. Great work guys, keep it up! Obviously Genghis didn't approve of Bismarck adopting judaism

1430 America is the first to arrive at the twin islands (excluding the barb warriors). Settlers and soldiers are dropped off.



Music and Engineering are obtained from trades. After Hatty spreading christianity, Lizzy is now spreading hindouism throughout jewish-free religionist America. Keep those foreign religions coming! They're also helping to dominate the egyptian colonies



1450 After a short and bloodless (foreign casualties are not recorded) fight, Tartar is taken, with crabs, clams, horses and pigs close by, and farms, villages and a worker already built.

1470 America trades some of its large surpluss of goods for 23 gold/turn.

1480 It looks like an egyptian colony is about to flip to America



1490America is the first to circumnavigate the world. This is surprising, as Lizzy had caravels out a long time before America. Still, it will help carry marines around later.

1500 - The barbarians strike back Whilst tartar was still revolting, 3 barbarians (2 archers and a warrior) sneaked in unnoticed, and they now appear all at once, right next to the city! This is the first time I've seen a coordinated barb raid. Still, the city is in no danger of falling.

1550 - The Mongols capture and burn the german city of Cordoba. Cordoba was previously an American city, and flipped over to Germany. America, of course, captured Cordoba from the Spanish (with mongol help). Rather ironic. Still, a lot of history for a small, unproductive and now burned out village.

Saladin and Hatty sign peace, no cities having changed hands. Egyptian real estate has once again been devastated, whilst American horse archers turned scouts turned map salesmen turned observers rub their hands in delight.

As Genghis is attacking Bismarck with Grenadiers, and Saladin has developed millitary tradition, this will mark the end of the renaissance era. Fortunately, America has a near monopoly on horses (apart from mongolia), and decides that it's archers prefer having to deal with camer riders than cavalry.

Hatty's other colony is now also likely to flip, though, surprisingly, it hasn't revolted yet.



Conclusion
At this point america has 30% of the worlds population, without having attacked anyone (excluding the fruitless spanish-american war). So both diplomatic and domination victories are plausible.

American millitary technology is somewhat backwards, with gunpowder still a mystery, but no one is unduly worried about this, buoyed by the healthy state of the economy.

Scores:
2436: America
1581: Hatty : +3 diplomatic relations
1543: Genghis : +10
1380: Bismarck: +4
1357: Lizzy: +2
1208: Saladin -6
345: Lizzy -11

Diplomatic relations have gone down since last time, mostly due to 'trading with my worst enemy' clauses.

The american world, below:

[Fireb]

Emperor: 1570 - 1865

After the tranquil expansion of the late renaissance, the industrial period marks another change for america, with the economy going supersonic, American wonders appearing like popcorn, and a few more sinister developments.

America is beelining for the UN, hoping to snatch an early diplomatic victory.

1590
Bismark captures old sarai from the Mongols! This was one of Genghis' bigger cities. It looks like the golden horde has finally been stopped at the gates by the teutonic knights. Could this mark the end of them?

1620
Giza is in open rebellion. Soon it should flip over to America. Byblos should soon follow, in fact I'm astonished it hasn't revolted yet:



1640
After a fierce and bloody struggle, Bismarck and Genghis make peace. Both sides are totally exhausted by the struggle. Genghis, though, has lost the most. His power has now reached it's peak and henceforth will recede, whilst Germany (once it has recovered), England and above all America rise. Hatty, being pacifist and closed in, doesn't stand much chance, in spite of being 2nd in score.

1645 America celebrates it's first golden age - the Taj mahal unfortunately being built in a foreign land a few turns before America could finish it.

Factories are still a long way away, and quite a few wonders are being built, so it seems like a good time for it.

1650 An english galleon carrying a settler is spotted near Tartar. A settler is rushed (500 gold) to deny them the uranium source.

1660 New Orleans is founded, preempting the dastardly English by just 1 turn, and further increasing America's growing voting population.



Speaking of which: Washington starts building the United Nations! It's a bit early, but everyone else is too busy recovering from their wars to complain. Broadway, the Eiffel Tower, the Statue of Liberty and some other wonders are also under construction in America.

An ever more powerfull America, which now has 5x more GNP, 4x more production, 3x more crops and population than the rival average. The American behemoth appears unstoppable.

1715
The statue of liberty is completed and the Kremlin is started to hurry up the UN.

1740
The first railroad is built in Washington, to speed up the UN. Quite a few priests are also helping speed up the production.

Forests are cut elsewhere, to make way for farms for that vital UN vote, and to speed up wonders.

1760
Neither Byblos nor Giza have flipped yet This is very surprising. Byblos hasn't even revolted!



1770 The UN is gold rushed, 9 turns from completion.

1775 Broadway and the UN are built. America votes for itself, the other candidate being Genghis.

Steel technology is gifted to Hatty and Bismarck, but this has absolutely no effect on relations. Never mind, eh.

1780 America gets 424 out of 595 votes for secretary general. A diplo victory looks increasingly likely.

1785 America curses the Egyptian and English suffragettes, and empancipes. Unhappiness doesn't help produce babies.

1795 Americas first action as secretary general is to order a diplo victory vote. How will it go?

1800 Everyone abstains!!! Those rascals! Marines are called in to suppress someone, fast.

1805 Byblos finally revolts.

1820 The first navy seal is recruited. Many more will follow. Barracks are started across America. The world is about to enter a new dark age.

1825 Byblos flips and joins America. It has a barracks and so immediately sets about producing a navy seal - in 35 turns.

War is declared on Spain (for the 4th time). They are still medieval, which is just fine as America hasn't yet built an army worth the name.

1835 Single currency and open trade are Americas next votes. Everyone agrees. As America has many more cities than the rest, this will help America most. Open trade will mean that America can start wars and still trade

Speaking of which, an American frigate decides that it would fun to bombard (spanish owned) Dortmund. The nearby galleons ferrying 2 infantry and 2 knights think this a silly idea, as (the capital) Santiago is defended by fewer longbows. The infantry get to work, and the knights wait a little before closing in for the kill.



1840 Operation Enduring Tyranny has begun in earnest. Santiago is taken by the sword. It will provide sugar to the people and rum to the seals.

1850 A war elephant is blasted to bits by a seal. The remaining catapult is taken out by a knight.

1854 America is re-elected secretary general.

1860 Now that the oil is hooked up, production of tanks and fighters are queued to support the marines. A few artillery and battleships are also started. Research is being set to composites.

1862 The second diplo vote fails, even with Lizzy now voting for America, creating a trans-atlantic alliance. War it shall be, then. As the mongols refused to vote for us, they'll be our first target.

1864 (Spanish) Dortmund is taken. Spain is no more.

Genghis declares war on Bismarck again! He even retakes Old Sarai the same turn. He obviously didn't get enough last time.

I had planned to attack Genghis, but since I'm still on +7 with him, whilst I'm down to +1 with Bismarck (-3 from attacking Spain so often, and -4 for trading with Genghis) I might just attack Bismarck instead, and let Genghis do the dirty work whilst my army builds itself sufficiently to attack both.

Well, with Tanks and fighters about to appear in American hands, and 35% of the worlds pop flying the flag, the industrial age is declared over. A new age is rising, a darker one, filled with blood and the screams of the innocent.

Scores
4194: America
2355: Lizzy, +8 diplo relations (traits no doubt helping her too)
2303: Hatty: +5
2092: Genghis: +7
1980: Bismarck: +1
1913: Saladin: -5 (without being his worst enemy)

Conclusion
With diplo relations scores, a diplomatic victory seems just out of reach. In any case, Americans feel snubbed by the two votes that have gone against it at the UN, and so have decided to go ballistic and seek a domination victory.

Any political connotations with current affairs are mostly coincidental

[Derelict]

INDEX

Early Ancient
Late Ancient -- Brief!!
Classical
Medieval: Parts 1 & 2
Medieval: Part 3
Renaissance: Part 1
Renaissance: Part 2
Industrial
Modern

1845 A.D. I've made a fairly thorough round of upgrades to select units and in the more poorly defended cities (or ones with a likelyhood of greater risk for attack), generating a slew of riflemen but eating fairly well into my gold reserves. I'm still hanging with positive cash flow at 90% science and that will likely increase as I get the newer cities situated. I have a lot shorter military cycle to face now, which means my cities can turn to more productive concerns a lot sooner.

With that in mind, and a first current goal of railroads for speedy travel through the countryside (along with a handful of workers in addition), I'll likely slow my tech rate to 80% to again start building a comfortable reserve of cash as I make way through the industrial era. That won't happen, at least, until railroads are discovered however. I'm solidly estabished in first place for any ranking you might conjure up with the exception of trade. Over the next handful of turns I'll keep that in mind and try to complete a few resource trades, possibly resource for cash if it suits.

1850 A.D. starts with an unexpected call from Genghis. He wants me to join him in "destroying" Saladin. This presents an interesting opportunity since I'm certain of having a lead on Saladin in military terms, the diplomacy bump with Genghis is ever useful and, the only other country I'm concerned about diplomatically (as I want to improve relations) is England. Elizabeth doesn't seem on particularly good terms with Saladin though, quite curiously, Bismarck is despite their very recent war!

I won't worry about Bismarck just yet and will take up Genghis and his request. Genghis, ever my friendly pitbull, may be extremely useful to me in the coming years and this presents an opportunity to throw some aging but well trained units at Saladin in an attempt to weaken him. Capturing a city for myself from him is probably out of the question--it will cost more than its worth since his culture, and likely Bismarck's, will make it rough for any such city unless I get really serious and raze another city or two in the area. That's far more than I'm ready to do just yet. Too heavy of an incursion and war weariness and support costs will be gnawing at me--two issues I will avoid to any extreme.

Speaking of Elizabeth, I give her a buzz and make a deal for cows (to her) for a mere 6 gold. That should help relations a little and I have several cow sources that aren't doing much else for me as it is. Bismarck is going broke, running at -23 gpt and has no resources to offer me in trade. I'm happy enough to see him running in the red to not care otherwise.

1860 A.D. Abu Bakr (great prophet) is born in Madrid. Although it is getting a little late to do such a thing, I add him to Cordoba to help production there, a city just now starting to get its culture in order to maintain the borders and prevent revolt. With the specialist it should start to firm up even more and help offset the costs of being such a distant city.

1864 A.D. Unbelievably, Cordoba revolted again and slipped into German hands. I don't really understand it since the city was not surrounded by German culture, had access to several tiles for working and even established several culture sources of its own in counter. The sad thing is that I had only just added the priest specialist, now working for those damnable Germans. I'm not sure I like how the culture flips work in Civ4 since they can be difficult, if not impossible, to counter unless great artists are to some extent a forte in your strategy. Still, I'll avoid lending a rant to that sort of thing now and just look with demure at the city in German hands.

On other fronts, the Mongols have hit Saladin hard--taking both Bagdhad and now Damascus, razing the former it would appear and holding the latter. Ouch for Saladin! I hurt him further by capturing his iron tile, making matters only worse for him as Mongol grenadiers march with abandon across his land.

|

1868 A.D. Railroads have been discovered now, which is fantastic but a little late in coming overall. A few additional workers to help get them laid down and I'll feel much more comfortable about defense and opportunistic attacks on other civs, if it comes to such things. To get Assembly Line, I still need Constitution and Corporation and won't just yet dial down my research to increase cash reserves--I'll wait for Assembly Line to actually come up first.

1874 A.D. brings the discovery of Constitution. I do take a turn to switch to Representation--the added science per specialist can only help and the further bump in happiness for my top three cities can't hurt much either. To the north I'm actually making a fair penny pillaging what remains of Saladin's land. Genghis has attacked him so strongly that he has more or less turtled up and is presenting virtually no resistance to my sinster means of making some extra cash.

1876 A.D. Yet another city, razed by Genghis. Saladin looks to be on his way out of this game. I can't rightly imagine that Genghis will stop now, not with such momentum. Certainly his coffers aren't doing too badly from the massive city raiding and pillaging he's done. I do notice that Saladin has a stray Cavalry edging into Genghis' territory, but that certainly isn't enough for him to survive with now.



1878 A.D. Saladin is getting desparate, sending an extremely high risk settler and lowly longbowman out in the hopes of finding sanctuary somewhere. My troops swoop down to catpure them--that's one less worker I need to make now!

1886 A.D. Assembly Line is discovered and still Saladin survives, somehow, to the far north. My troops continue to piddle around, catching and killing stragglers or simply pillaging the very little bits left about. Industrialism is next on my tech target list.

With Assembly Line underfoot, however, it is time for a Golden age as cities across the land get factories up. With that, I select the great engineer Heron and start 8 turns of mass productivity. It makes for an excellent time to turn down the tech dial and build a fat bank account as well. I turn the switch to 70% and am earning 194 gold per turn--excellent stuff! That'll nearly equate to a free great merchant over the next 8 turns, minus a bit of science, but still will be very helpful not long ahead.

Finally, I also sue for peace with Saladin, deciding to let Genghis finish him or let him linger either way.

1898 A.D. And construction of the Pentagon is started in New York. If you recall, I also put the Heroic Epic there--double military unit construction. Combined with the Pentagon I'll have very fast unit production and experience from the Pentagon and the Barracks, not to mention any civics, if I so choose at whatever time. Expect this thing to be a SEAL team mass producer!

1902 A.D. and the Golden Age has passed--not without several factories being produced even faster than normal and, even with the lowered tech rate, I've arrived at Industrialism. I tune up the rate to 100% despite losing -51 gpt--I need a mere three turns at that rate to finish Industrialism and voila! SEAL Teams!

1908 A.D. Time suddenly feels very short with so much potential and so many options in an ever more powerful America. It seems like a good time to get a grasp on where the other countries are at.

Germany was earlier the world tech leader, or at least neck and neck with myself. Now the looming American science giant has rocketed well ahead even of him--no surprise to say the least. I notice that he doesn't even have Physics, at this point, leaving him at least a few steps shy of Industrialism and his Panzers. Just as well--it's quite likely that he'll have them just available as I start pouring SEAL teams out within the next several years.

Naturally the golden age and the comb-factory push has skyrocketed my production, which even before hand was well above anyone else in the world. America is truly a superpower at this point. On the downside, the slew of factories naturally made two particular negatives for me--pollution and thus a lower life/health factor and, secondly, a lower approval rating. High approval ratings naturally make it easier to carry on a war, without taking specific civics into the context. Of course, I also want giant, bulging populations in my cities, filled with happy people because my tech will soar even further, along with everything else. I guess we can't have it all, as they say...Still, I'll see what I can do on that front.

The northern cities are now also starting to have well developed, or at least better developed, tiles. They lag behind the rest of the country but not by so far, really. Once they too catch up, things will only be that much brighter.

The tech research of choice is Democracy--I want Emancipation early to make everyone elses happiness suffer if they don't go the same route, since they are quite likely trying to catch up on a military front with me out of pure fear of American military potential and may not have democracy at this point.

Democracy will also bring Universal Sufferage--yet another boost to the vast nation's productivity, already with a plentiful supply of towns and the further option to spend cash to finish production...essentially providing me with yet another means to accomplish any goal I set down.

As a final note for 1908, Oxford is started in Washington, with it's already soaring science, and Broadway is started in the nothern and previously Barbarian city of Saxon.

1914 A.D. brings Democracy, and thus the switch to Emancipation and Universal Sufferage.



1920 A.D. My feeble culture reveals itself again as the previously Spanish city of Salamanca joins the Mongols. I could see that coming and probably should have just gifted the city to Genghis for yet another diplomatic boost, but I won't worry on that now.

1926 A.D Genghis finally makes peace with Saladin. I simply can't believe Saladin is still on the map! The Kremlin is built...somewhere, but I didn't really intend to pursue it specifically. My first SEAL team units are hitting the ground and I've also started my first round of upgrades to infantry units via my cash roll.

1928 A.D. Santiago starts on the Hermitage so I can make sure my borders stay firm along that Mongol border. Philly begins work on Westpoint, providing yet another city capable of kicking out experienced units. James Clerk, a great scientist, is born in Washington. I really would've prefered an engineer at this point but I guess Clerk will have to do. I use him for 2028 beakers work on Fission. Washington has also reached size 23 now, with some discontent due to its size. I'll work on that shortly.

1930 A.D. My tech lead grows ever bigger vs. everyone else except, unsurprisingly, Elizabeth. She is making a ton of money and can finance, in whatever manner she is, her science. I'm still a fair shot ahead of her and will undoubtedly reach the next era in a handful of turns.

1939 A.D. I've put off moving to the next era in favor of getting some earlier techs I've bypassed out of the way and focus a little more on a modernization of my military, including the first production of tanks. I need additional workers I think, to top off my railroad system and ensure that most every city has well improved tiles.

1940 A.D. Brings the discovery of Flight and, hence, a move into the Modern era. I'll research rocketry first so I can get started on the building of the Apollo program--in line with my original goal. If my military looks prepared I may also consider an invasion...quite probably of Bismarck, to lock down a few more cities, establish a bit more on my score and put these SEAL teams to some good use!

Elizabeth is still my closest competitor tech wise and undoubtedly she'll be trying for a space race victory as well, so I need to be sure I don't lose focus on that since it is unlikely I'll pursue another victory type at this point. Diplomacy is not in a solid option unless I increase my population further through the capture of additional cities which is not out of my prospects for the future. There are still 110 years left in the game and if I'm diligent, there should be plenty of time for both a speedy space race victory or, perhaps even sooner, a diplomatic win through sheer numbers. I figure Genghis must be good for 15% of the world population, and I have some 35% now and still growing. The addition of a handful of cities should combine to give me a 60% overall vote needed to win, assuming Genghis goes my way and I have every reason to think he will.

Alright, I'll see you in the next era!

[chriseay]

warlord

DAR 1: 4000 BC - 1520 BC
DAR 2: 1480 BC - Beginning of Classical Era
DAR 3: Classical Era
DAR 4: Medieval Era
DAR 5: Renaissance Era
DAR 6: Industrial Era
DAR 7: Modern Era

This is short, as I got bored with the game, and it got very easy with the tech I was generating and my beelines for space victory to breeze through this era.

I start the Industrial era 1 and a half times the score of my closest competitor. I am shooting for a space race victory, hopefully soon. I will speculate, very early, that I will finish in the 1800's.

1525 AD: I get Physics and a free great scientist. I'll continue to use my scientists for academies as long as I have cities they'll make a good impact in.

1565 AD: I finish the Taj Mahal in Boston. This will be my first GA in this game.

1590 AD: I become the first to circumnavigate the globe. I also get a great prophet I will use for a taoist shrine.

1635 AD: I enter the modern era with rocketry. I will start immediately on the Apollo Program, and hope to get the space ship launched as soon as possible.

I am still first in all the categories, and now I am even further ahead in score. On to building the space ship as quickly as possible. I am worried it will take a while though, because I only have a couple of high production cities, and I lack aluminum, a key resource for the space ship. In a more difficult game, I might have to go to war for aluminum, but here I am not worried.

[Cort Haus]

DAR 1 - Opening
DAR 2 - Rest of Ancient Era
DAR 3 - Classical Era
DAR 4 - Medieval Era
DAR 5 - Renaissance Era
DAR 7 - Modern Era


The Industrial Era starts with Steam Power and Assembly Line. While researching Steel, in 1765, Hatshepsut declared war on Spain, and I start to muster troops and upgrade them to Infantry on my North-East frontier, ready for a slice of the action. With more than half an eye on a UN win, eliminating my most hated enemy, and grabbing some of her population would seem to be good move. Steel brings cannons too, which will make a lot of difference. During the previous war long, long ago I choked Spain with pillaging. That set her back a long way and despite a suspicious technological surge at one point, she's weak and ready for the taking - even without the SEALS.

Of course with Assembly Line come Factories, and I'd like to get most of these up before going to war. Railroad & Biology are researched, while Hattie pillages merrily around her nearest Spanish cities. While researching Physics (which Saladin had successfully beelined - congrats to him), in 1830 Hattie asks me to join her crusade against the evil Spanish and I happily oblige, getting Bismark in on the action too.



Before I even get to Barcelona, a Spanish city has fallen to the Germans, and on arrival the defences don't last long against the cannon barrage, and the Rifleman fall easily to my Infantry. I kept the city, as I'm anticipating the Spanish culture won't be around for very long.



Then South towards the 'Holy' city of Madrid. Again, resistance is minimal and it falls without much fuss. By now Artillery and Electricity are complete, with Industrialism and the UU being researched, even though I may not be needing SEALS.



Two mainland Spanish Cities left, and en-route I manage a little naval battle outside Toledo, trying out my ironclads against Spanish Frigates.



I was then able to bring some Artillery to the party, and attacked Marine-style from the transport. That was fun, especially as the Artillery made a right mess of the Rifle / Grenadier defenders. War-weariness was beginning to bite now, with -7 happiness for WW in some cities. When Seville fell, Spains last mainland city, I called it a day and made peace. Thankfully Bismark went to the trouble of mopping up the island colonies. I didn't bother with the little islands, thinking that I should have enough land thank-you.

I accepted Lizzie's offer of Combustion for Physics + ~250g when it came, and after Industrialism I went for Radio and the route to the UN, while starting Broadway in a border city. Radio brought me into the Modern Era with a little Rock'n Roll, which I started in another border city.



Somewhere along the line I realise that Salidin has got all the aluminium. Better hope the UN works out.

[Morrissey]

Noble difficulty

DAR1
DAR2
DAR3
DAR4
DAR5
DAR6
DAR7


Now THIS is going to be a sparse DAR.

Entered the industrial era in 1565. Built up my cities and relations (going for UN victory) and built a few units to put potential invaders off. Genghis is now at war with both Isabella and Hats and as he's not in a great position, fear this is going to be the end of him, bless.

1775, enter the modern era.

Told you it was sparse.

[Arrian]

DAR6 - Industrial Era

1625 – Industrial Era begins.

1695 – Isabella declares war! Wench, come get some!

1775 – After having destroyed numerous Spanish troops in the field, razing one city and capturing another, I make peace with Isabella for her world map and 520 gold. Infantry + Cavalry + frigates/cannon vs. riflemen & grenadiers = death, destruction & mayhem.

1800 – Way ahead now. Have switched over to Free Religion. Researching Plastics. Three civs are pleased w/me: England, Egypt and Germany. A couple are cautious (Mongols and Arabs – who are fighting. The Arabs will be either wiped out or reduced to irrelevance). Spain hates me, and that’s just fine.

1825 - Plastics discovered, Modern Era begins.

Screenshots:

THE EAST:



THE CORE:



THE SOUTH:



THE COLONIES:



And Detroit, all alone because no one would sit next to it



-Arrian

[Arrian]

Cort, looking at your screenshots vs. mine, we pretty clearly went with different city-spacing/expansion. Mine is CivIII-esq (it would probably have been called wide spacing by experts, though), whereas your looks like the old "OCP."

If I had it to do over again, I would only changes two things:

1) I'd have made grabbing the ivory (Barcelona in my game, Boston in yours) a priority. I didn't realize the danger of losing that spot b/c my starting warrior was slaughtered right around that spot by bears very early, so I didn't have any clear idea where Spain was.

2) I'd shift my Philadelphia northwest 1 tile, and then move Seattle 1 tile due north.

Other than that, I think my city placement worked great. Having played this far, how do you feel about yours?

-Arrian

[Fluffybunnyfeet]

Prince difficulty - 1645-1896AD

Progress

With a large number of cities well established, my focus is culture. Military creation is reserved for my soldier specialist town. All cities are proselytized to have the state religion. I stay with the high upkeep of Organised Religion for now, though Pacifism is tempting.

Suddenly there are a lot of civics available which will help with science, most cities have two religions, some have three. Staying away from Theocracy puts my civ in good stead for Free Religion by allowing the spread. Now I can get to work on this era's focus, and build masses of temples and monasteries!

The Egyptians lead the runners-up in this game - despite having many more technologies than I, they demand Steel! I can only guess that my competent military will keep them from attacking. Seeing as they're not even on my world map yet, this is probably a good thing. I trade democracy will all nations, knowing that it'll make them more placid and easier to dominate if I need to attack them.

Rifling suddenly makes the military landscape a lot more dangerous. I change my science to allow 127 gold per turn to be freed up for upgrades. Half of that goes to the newly conquered cities to pay for their cultural buildings, to secure the border.

Saladin runs over the mongol empire and in a few turns, the mongols are gone. The culture I have pumped into the mongol border now goes from being defensive to offensive, as Saladin's newly captured cities are swamped with Americanism.

I'm surprised to find that Saladin also has TWICE the army that I have. I take a risk and hope that he doesn't want to try something.

I'm astonished the next turn when the Spanish attack. They have far inferior technology, they're not being culturally threatened, their army is the same Power as mine. Makes no sense, guess i'd better make an example of Isabella. The first casualties are Spanish Warriors and a Horse Archer. Maybe there's an attribute for Insanity in these world leaders.

I manage to build The Kremlin, and the Statue of Liberty, before turning those cities over to military production.

After taking the Spanish very lightly for many rounds, they use 12 units to take a nice city of mine. I decide to wipe the spanish from the planet. Police State, Theocracy, Vassalage.

Various empires decide that they don't like me any more and cancel all their trade.

I begin my attack... and i've reached the next era

Most towns now have many temples and my cultural output nearly doubled.

Outlook

This next era will be bloody. The Spanish sacked a large city, seemingly the only reason being that it was a cultural centre. My first goal will be to destroy the spanish utterly. Now that the largest military power is a close neighbour (Saladin), I will also want to match him militarily, in case he attacks. Right now, I could take over the world, but Washington isn't *like* that

[Fosse]

INDUTRIAL ERA

1625
I enter the Industrial Era. I'm at 80% research, still making money. New America is well on its way to making GPP. England has dropped a few settlers on the main island... I really don't want to fihgt any wars but I might decide to take any cities they plant on New America... we'll see. They are unpopular among the world's players, so it shouldn't cost me any diplomatic trouble.

Genghis canceled all of our trade deals, but hasn't declared war yet. If he does it will be the end of him. I will do all I can to quickly take his two remaining cities, and indeed have been building up for such a moment since the last war ended. I have been on top of the score chart for many turns now, which is satisfying after such a rocky start... barbarian trouble, land grab flops, the first Mongolian war. I plan to keep Oregon producing Great merchants to send to Egypt until the game ends.

I'm settling down to head to victory now. All thoughts of war with Spain are gone. I'll never take those two annoying cities, though I'll keep the culture up, but I don't want them enough to fight for them. ISabella's land isn't too tempting. I may war with England over colonial land, but I don't intend to send forces to her mainland (unless just for pillaging action).

Victory... for me it's nearly always a choice between space and diplomatic. I doubt I have the votes for the UN though. I don't have a spotless record with anybody, Egypt will be the other candidate and is huge. It would probably have to be everyone voting for me. No votes for Egypt (except Hatty) and no abstentions. If I war with England, forget that. But even if I don't, there is no way Spain with big minus for borders, England who has been lukewarm at best, and Arabia who is often cautious and a little cranky in this game, are all going to vote my way.

I should have little trouble with winning space race. Egypt will be my main contender, but I have decided to focus now on getting to the stars. My tech paths will reflect that, and I should be able to begin trading for military techs as I need them. My rifles and grenadiers will be enough to stop Genghis from causing trouble for me.


1625
SESSION III (IV?)

1680
Peaceful building. Mongolia finally gets to buy iron from me. Now that my gunpowder army is building up that won't be a bother. I might not have to fight him again after all.

Spain, England, and Egypt each have one city in New America. Damn. But I spawn a Great Artist, left over points from when I thought I could take Spain's cities. :eyeroll: Still... that's great. I found Miami on the southern part of the island and drop my artist. Boom. A real culture bomb this time. Those cities will be mine!

And... I spawn another Great Artist while the first is on the way. I can also put total pressure on teh Spanish city. This is great!

[Cort Haus]

Originally posted by Arrian
Cort, looking at your screenshots vs. mine, we pretty clearly went with different city-spacing/expansion. Mine is CivIII-esq (it would probably have been called wide spacing by experts, though), whereas your looks like the old "OCP."

-Arrian

I was happy enough with the way it was, but it might have been better to have had more cities. I probably should have had one where your Los Angeles is for starters, but I was more concerned with grabbing the land than working all the tiles earlier. OCP isn't as punishing here as Civ 3, because distance corruption doesn't slow the city down for ever, but Aeson pointed out how a size 20 city with specialists may only need 12 tiles, so I expect OCP is sub-optimal. I like not having to fiddle with shared tiles, though.

The fact that you entered the Modern Era in 1800, against my 1872 might suggest that your road was quicker, tech-wise, though I might have been fighting more wars on the way.

I'd probably get punished for the OCP at higher levels, and with a less spacious start I might have built closer. It's true that working more tiles earlier must be better, but in its favour a looser build does deny tiles to the AI for the whole game.

[Arrian]

Yeah, the question is between maximizing the tiles you work vs. denial of land to the AI. Both have their advantages and drawbacks, which is good.

You definitely did more fighting early than I did - although I did some catching up late. I ended up fighting a total of 3 (real) wars:

1) Spain. They attacked me and lost 2 cities for their trouble. I kept 1 & razed the other.
2) Egypt. I invaded and conquered them (7 cities, 6 of which I kept, 1 razed).
3) Arabs. I polished off their shattered remnants (2 cities, both retained).

-Arrian