We have went through all victory conditions except for domination so I am guessing that is what it will be. Could be wrong though. Anyway, what I was thinking would make a completely different game would be to specify with the map or the opponents. Playing on islands, archipelago, terra, or custom continents (1 per team), would make for some interesting gameplay. Especially if it is a domination victory since it would require the construction of a navy. Having aggressive opponents would be interesting as well. Not sure if you want to specify the opponents though.

Here would be my ideal gauntlet settings for this one:

Difficulty: Emperor or Deity
Map size: Large (standard would work for slower computers)
Victory: Domination
Starting Era: Ancient
Speed: Any
Map type: Custom Continents (1 per team)

If you wanted to specify opponents I would pick: Alexander, Caesar, Ghengis, Napolean, Victoria.

I'd back this. If there is a game that that would 100% dictate needing to research Astronomy to get Domination, I think it'd be best. Short domination games are a well-documented affair.. I want something longer.

- Bill

I think Speed: Quick would be even funnier. ;)

I think I would sit out a Quick gauntlet. I could barely tolerate Normal speed in Gauntlet IV, having to scramble for every last scrap of advantage just to pull a turn ahead of the nearest competitor. In Marathon, its much more stratified, with larger distances between the finish times. The duration increase isn't just a multiplicitive advantage for the better players -- its exponential.

Gauntlets decided by secondary goals (such as score) are bad. I hope we have as few as possible.

- Bill

On the other hand, I think I would sit out a Large Marathon conquest/domination gauntlet. I can't stand and lack the time for that sort of game. Ah well, can't please everyone.

How 'bout a OCC gauntlet as a compromise? I think a number of people have expressed support for one.

I think an OCC would be an interesting gauntlet.

I'd definitely participate in an OCC gauntlet!

The current gauntlet will have atleast 1 person in the top 3 playing OCC. You have to think about an OCC game though. You can't win cultural or domination. Conquest would be really iffy and would depend a lot on the difficulty level and map size. I mean on the conquest gauntlet we had a couple months ago I could have easily still gotten the same finish time with OCC so that doesn't change much.

That leaves either a diplomatic or space race OCC. Like I said, the current Diplo gauntlet will have a OCC in the top 3 so it is pointless to have a diplo OCC for the next gauntlet as well.

A space race OCC would be interesting. It would be a really long game though, which isn't a bad thing. The only thing I see bad about a space race OCC is that with most gauntlets a lot of players can beat the gauntlet, it is just a question of how fast you can finish. With a gauntlet like that there won't be that many that will be able to beat the AI to the space ship. May discourage participation. I dunno though, would be interesting.

I am always up for a challenge. Spaceship OCC would be very interesting. Not only do you have to optimze for research but you need to be able to switch over to production to finish off the space ship. I think that would be very interesting.

Dunno, the general experience I and several others have had at the Apolyton (http://apolyton.net/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=144365)'s civ forum is that OCC space race is winnable for pretty much anyone on difficulty levels below Immortal with some basic tips and tricks, with the default number of AIs randomly selected no less. On Immortal on it becomes more of a crap shoot.

My experience with conquest is that it is possible, even on settings less than conducive to a OCC conquest. I've notched OCC conquest wins on standard sized maps at normal speed on difficulty levels up to Emperor. Smaller maps are obviously easier and allow early age rushes, likewise for slower games to give more time to move units.

In my experience OCC Space wins are fairly easy and I'm typically way ahead of everyone tech wise so the AI doesn't have a chance at launching. The hardest part about OCC Space is the diplomacy, and even that isn't very hard. BTW, only played up to Monarch with an OCC Space.

Still would enjoy seeing an OCC Space gauntlet, as I know I could learn from the HoF players.