Beelining to CoL, then Philosophy 1st (Republic free) w/o Alphabet as a starting tech

[Artifex]

I play Emperor.

Ok I can do this with Seafaring Civs.

I am wondering if this strategy is at all doable or advisable without a seafaring or commercial civ (I like island maps archeopolago sp?)

[vmxa1]

I would think not if you have mainly two large landmasses or one.
With islands, you can keep the contacts down and get away with it. I am presuming 8 civs only as well for a standard map.

[Theseus]

To be honest, even though the math is compelling, I prolly wouldn't want to.

Theseus, the hater of early Republic

[Catt]

Express Path to Republic in C3C

Catt

[Enriquillo]

I've done this in every emperor game so far, which amounts to about a dozen successful attempts.

Just started my first DG game, and it seems like it's impossible to research faster then at 50 turns a tech

What kinda handicaps are imposed on you on this level? It's scary.

[Cerbykins]

The 50 turns thing is a C3C thing, Firaxis musta seen you lot exploiting it at 40
Is there anything else special about your DG game?