Tech level not following timeline?

[Strategist83]

In most of my games the respective tech levels of civilizations do not at all follow 'our' timeline. For example, Christianity is rarely 'invented' till 1000 AD. In the same way knights do not show up till around 1500.

Is the game's timelime screwed up or am I doing something wrong? I know, for example, that I may be too reluctant to trade techs with the AI (since the stupid thing always tries to cheat you off)

I would much prefer the game to play with a 'realistic' timeline. Any idea on how to achieve this?

[King Thor]

Sounds like your tech is going slow. If anything, I have the opposite problem, I end up researching techs before they are really supposed to have been invented. If the developers had locked in the progression of techs to the timeline, then the whole tech research thing would no longer be a part of the game since you'd be locked to the 'real world' timeline.

Also, dont use the real world as a reference. Knights may have FIRST appeared in a civilization on a certain date.. but there are civilizations that exist even to this day that have never gotten to knights. Because their technology is less advanced no doubt.

In other words, Its not a bug, its a feature.

[Strategist83]

I understand, I am just trying to figure out what I might be doing wrong.

[JonahFalcon]

Some civilizations have never developed an alphabet, or only recently developed one, having used pictograms instead.

[Enigma_Nova]

You can blame part of it on the lack of Horse and Iron in some parts of the world.

[notyoueither]

Originally posted by Strategist83
I understand, I am just trying to figure out what I might be doing wrong.

Build more cottages sooner and prioritise libraries earlier.

[Strategist83]

In my current game, by 1000 AC, the most advanced military units are swordsmen and horse archers. I am winning the game and am leading in score against 'noble' opponents.

[King Thor]

Time to move up to the next level of difficulty.

The technology performance you describe is relative to that of your opponents. You can be the technology leader among 'noble' opponents, while lagging behind 'Diety' (yes I know thats a big jump, but I'm just demonstrating a point).

The AI gets faster and faster at researching tech at the higher difficulty levels. It sounds to me like you could probably move up another notch in difficulty and get a more enjoyable experience. I know I prefer having a couple of civs bigger than me that give me something to worry about, and make the game exciting for me. YMMV.

I agree with notyoueither, the way to improve science is by generating lots of commerce and building lots of science buildings.

[MoonWolf]

I think the OP is talking more about techs according to timeline, not according to the AI civs. I think when you consider techs and where you are in history, should only be a guideline. If you still have have knights and swordsmen fighting for you in the 1850s, you know you could have done better. If you start constructing a space ship in the 1850s, you do quite well.

But it doesn't really matter other than the guideline/ "feeling" described above. What matter is how you do it compared with your neighbours.

[Grumbold]

Tech trading does accellerate the pace of tech discovery a lot in the early stages. Of course every AI civ wants a 20% profit on each deal, but that's no problem if you can trade the same tech to 4 different civs because you end up getting back 320% of its value. Its often even worth giving civs a tech or two if it turns an angry neighbour into a willing trader for future deals.

[Enigma_Nova]

Or if it turns 2 neighbours against each-other for you to pick up the spoils.

[GeoModder]

Nah, the AI is too smart for that. Before there's anything to spoil they have stopped fighting.

[Drachasor]

Originally posted by Grumbold
Tech trading does accellerate the pace of tech discovery a lot in the early stages. Of course every AI civ wants a 20% profit on each deal, but that's no problem if you can trade the same tech to 4 different civs because you end up getting back 320% of its value. Its often even worth giving civs a tech or two if it turns an angry neighbour into a willing trader for future deals.

Hmm, often the AI will trade with me without gaining any net beaker profit.

-Drachasor

[rjmatsleepers]

Originally posted by Drachasor


Hmm, often the AI will trade with me without gaining any net beaker profit.

-Drachasor

I think it depends on the level you play at. At higher levels, the AI won't make a deal unless there is a profit.

RJM at Sleeper's

[grutz]

Plus, a lot of it has to do with your situation. If you've set up in a location that isn't heavy on commerce, it's difficult to advance through the tree quickly. Also, besides using the buildings / improvements to boost commerce and research, you may want to us any diplomacy options that you can (open borders for trade routes) as well as concentrating on civics that will give you a financial boost. What civ are you playing as?