GOTM -132 Spoiler

Inkerman,
I am not sure what you are complaining about. At least you have an army. I don't have an army and I don't have any development. I only have 1 harbor, 1 library, 1 aqueduct and 1 sewer all in my size 16 'SSC', which at 60% science is producing a whopping 132 beakers (with a tech cost of 1532). Of course the University is paid for, so the beaker count will go up next turn. I do have 8 other cities at size 8
 
I have counted my routes so we can have a table of comparative numbers at 1000 ...
Code:
Player              Ali	     haleewud        Inkerman
#cities total        51            31              37
- in Russia          11            10              12
population         20.8          6.72            5.79
#techs               35            32              31
buildings cost      142             6              37
#wonders              4             8               7      
#settlers            29             9              15
#army                25            11              46
#boats                8             6              12
#vans                41            22              37
#dips                 2             2               6
trade             81D0F         33D4F           10D6F
Thanks for making the table. I hope other players would post logs as well.
Some interesting observations:
1. My ratio of population to cities is higher than you two. This is odd; typically fewer cities means larger ones.
2. My ratio of settlers to cities is also higher. Do you guys try to uncover grass-covered specials?
3. Oddest of all is my ratio of building cost to cities which is nearly three times that of Inkerman and more than 10 times that of haleewud. Typically fewer cities is synonymous with more infrastructure.
4. I am way behind you two in the wonder race. In fact, I am never this late with wonders. It is the byproduct of my delaying science and not going after Invention hoping to get more scrolls of ancient wisdom from huts. Some wonders I could not make (Leo), others were not a priority: Who needs Copernicus and Newton when science is at 10%?
4. I am also way behind in foreign trade, though ahead in terms of the ratio of trade routes to cities. Foreign trade can be extremely lucrative in this setup and can leap your science and treasury forward at a rapid pace. Part of my lack of progress is due to my relatively smaller fleet and part of it is due to the loss of my loaded forward ship to a barbarian trireme.

I played till +1340 last night. I still do not have invention but have made many of the other wonders: Magellan, Shakespeare, Copernicus, Newton, and Bach. I also just delivered to both the Persians and Egyptians.
 
+1020 Domestic deliveries for 56. Crusader from hut.
+1040 Shakespeare built in SSC. Domestic deliveries for 87. Legion from hut.
+1060 Domestic deliveries for 60, 93.
+1080 Domestic deliveries for 142. Vladivostok relocated.
+1100 Physics -> Atomic Theory . Magellan built. Domestic deliveries for 72, 48
+1120 Domestic deliveries for 195, 177. Karun founded.
+1140 Copernicus built. Nomad founds Shiraz on island 36. Tiflis founded. Domestic deliveries for 183
+1160 Atomic Theory from hut. Advanced tribe founds Toronto on island 41.
+1180 -> Magnetism. Bostan founded. Advanced tribe founds Babol. 4 barbarian horsemen from hut. Nomad from hut.
+1200 Domestic delivery for 231. Advanced tribe founds Ardabil.
+1220 2 barbarian horsemen killed. Trireme lost in attack on last barbarian horseman.
+1240 Egyptians build Great Wall. Barbarian horseman kills a crusader before being killed. Magnetism -> Feudalism.
+1260 Domestic deliveries for 261, 72, 243, 130, 276, 145.
+1280 Newton built. Magnetism -> Persian -> Feudalism. 100g from hut. Domestic deliveries for 84.
+1300 -> Theology. Kalinin founded. Copper to Persepolis for 316 establishes the first foreign trade route.
+1320 Theology -> Chivalry. Kerman founded. Domestic deliveries for 144, 156, 252.
+1340 Bach built. Domestic deliveries for 198. Beads to Egyptians for 168. Salt to Persians for 504. T6L3S1
+1360 Spahan relocated. Neyriz founded.
+1380 Chivalry -> Invention. Tuba founded. Domestic deliveries for 183.
+1400 Domestic deliveries for 216. Invention from hut. T0L3S7
+1420 -> Democracy -> Gunpowder. Democracy established. Leo built. Domestic deliveries for 84, 120. Foreign deliveries for 580. 6 barbarian horsemen from hut; explorer escapes. T1L3S6
+1440 Gunpowder -> Explosives. Foreign deliveries for 804. Kermanshah founded. 100g from hut.
+1460 Barbarian horse kills my explorer. Explosives -> Leadership. Sanandaj, Tus, Gheshm, and Tonb founded. Domestic deliveries for 342. Foreign deliveries for 492. None musketeer from hut.
+1480 Adam Smith built. Leadership -> Metallurgy. Domestic deliveries for 257.
+1500 Barbarian Frigate sinks an empty Galleon. Barbarian legion lands near science city and is killed by musketeer. Metallurgy -> Conscription. T3L3S4. 100g from hut. Domestic deliveries for 50.

Status at +1500
Population: 56.6M; Cities: 67; Techs: 47; Government: Democracy
Gold: 34; Cost: 182; Trade routes: 120D5F;
Ancient Wonders: Hanging Gardens, Colossus
Medieval Wonders: Marco, Michelangelo, Magellan, Copernicus, Shakespeare
Industrial Wonders: Leo, Bach, Newton, Adam Smith
Units: 48 Engineers (5 None), 21 Musketeers, 4 Dragoons, 14 Galleon, 4 Diplomats, 30 vans, 1 Explorer
Footprint: 11 cities in homeland, 7 on 31, 17 on 12, 13 on 27, 3 on each of 43and 45, 2 on 36, 1 on each of 2, 11, 15, 20, 23, 26, 30, 40, 41, 42, and 29.
Goals: More foreign trade, Darwin, Corporation.
Egyptian: 8 cities, 30 techs; Pyramids, Great Wall, King Richards
Persian: 8 cities, 37 techs; Great Library
 
I haven't quite finished typing my hand-written notes from the game, so I can't post a log yet.

One note: In +1500 I delivered Copper from Sverdlovsk (my size 23 STC with 82 base trade) to Size 9 Thebes for 1272g (not quite half the current tech cost of 2632).

By the way, I think I only uncovered 2 Silk in Russia (1 Pheasant to Buffalo being worked on in +1500) and 2 more Silk on Continent 31.

Status at +1500
Population: 10.5M; Cities: 40; Techs: 47; Government: Democracy
Gold: 3370; Cost: 65; Trade routes: 45D20F;
Ancient Wonders: Hanging Gardens, Colossus, Lighthouse
Medieval Wonders: Marco, Michelangelo, Magellan, Copernicus, Shakespeare
Industrial Wonders: Leo, Newton, Darwin's Voyage
Units: 36 Engineers (2 None), 6 Musketeers (1 NON), 2 Horsemen, 4 Crusaders, 12 Transports, 2 Diplomats, 23 Freight
Footprint: 10 cities in homeland, 5 on 31, 14 on 12, 6 on 27, 1 on each of 2, 19, 22, 26 and 29.
Goals: More cities, more foreign trade, Railroad across continent 12 (Homeland and continent 31 almost done).
Egyptian: 11 cities, 27 techs; Republic, Pyramids,
Persian: 8 cities, 28 techs; Republic, Great Library
 
At the risk of prompting a comment from my friend haleewud, I have to say I have the feeling my Russians may have strayed off the path a little. As just one example:
Do you guys try to uncover grass-covered specials?
By the way, I think I only uncovered 2 Silk in Russia (1 Pheasant to Buffalo being worked on in +1500) and 2 more Silk on Continent 31.

My numbers:

stats at AD1500
Cities: 42. Population: 22,480,000. Republic. 42 techs. Some domestic, many foreign routes.
SSC:23; Other large cities 21, 19, 17.
45 cost for buildings (Adam Smith.)
Wonders; 12 wonders. Others: Pyrs, GL, GW, KRC.
Units: 14 Settler, 39 Pikemen, 1 Horse, 1 Ele, 4 Crusader, 11 Galleon, 11 Dip, 27 Vans, 3 Explorer.

Egyptians: (5) Enthusiastic, Peace, 8 cities, 29 techs, 296g.
Persians: (4) Receptive, Peace, 10 cities, 24 techs, 396g.

Giving a table:
Code:
Player              Ali	     haleewud        Inkerman
#cities total        67            40              42
- in Russia          11            10              12
population         56.6          10.5            22.5
#techs               47            47              42
buildings cost      182            65              45
#wonders             11            11              12      
#settgineers         48            36              14
#army                26            12              48
#boats               14            12              11
#vans                30            23              27
#dips                 4             2              11
trade            120D5F        45D20F          12D20F

I find my comparative shortage of settlers/engineers particularly striking.

It is my tech progress that has faltered though. I have tried to use foreign trade as a tactic in this period and I think it has not been too bad. I think the problem may have more to do with just drifting. Things went awry compared to Ali in the 500 to 1000 period, for whilst he added 12 techs (23 to 35) I added just 7 (24 to 31.) The extras were spread from all three sources: own research, AI and huts. haleewud also added 7 like me, but goes more quickly in the period to 1500, picking up 3 more than Ali, whilst I slip another 1.

Another thought...

Ali commented earlier about the personalities of the AI civs meaning they will be little help, noting “perfectionist Persians and nonexpansionist Egyptians”.

They have indeed been little help (it will be same in the comparative games.) The Persians preferring the poor soil of continent 31 to the fertile north of their home continent. By contrast the Egyptians have stayed in their hilly home, rather than grow into continent 2.

Is AI personality something that should affect the overall strategy?
 
Inkerman,
In your +1500 summary you note 12 wonders. Did you build Darwin's Voyage yet? I built mine in +1460. I timed it quite well, so that through a combination of science and trade, I was able to develop Industrialization during the turn and then the last city (Moscow) built Darwins'. That gave me Corporation and Feudalism (and I started on Metallurgy). So I got 3 of my 15 advances on that one turn.

Of course that is still 12 advances during the other 24 turns from +1020 to +1500. I also built 8 cities and subverted one during those 25 turns.

On the whole, I think I stayed pretty focused during this stage of the game.

I did get one piece of help from the AIs during this period. The Persians actually discovered Democracy first in +1340. The Egyptians developed it in +1360. I got it from the Persians when I subverted Antioch (on continent 12) in +1400. This also allowed me to have a REVOLUTION and switch to Democracy in +1420.
 
Hi haleewud,

Good points, I had to check back.

And oops, sorry - I misrecorded my government in the 1500 post - it should have said Democracy, which I became in 1260.

Darwin - that is still in the future then - it will come in 1590. Excellent timing on your part to get three discoveries in a turn, I suspect that was not by accident given your posts seem to show a continuous awareness of actual research cost.

Now I must just go off and finish things as today is the last day.

regards, Inkerman.
 
Ali commented earlier about the personalities of the AI civs meaning they will be little help, noting “perfectionist Persians and nonexpansionist Egyptians”.

They have indeed been little help ...

Is AI personality something that should affect the overall strategy?
AI personality has three dimensions to it: aggressiveness, expansionist tendency, and militaristic tendency. While these do affect the behavior of the AI, overall the AI is not smart enough for these to make a big difference. The biggest factor for me is in deciding whether to eliminate a geographically close rival or not (in landing games). The closer the rival is to aggressive, expansionist, and militaristic, the more likely it is for me to want to get rid of them early on.

For more on civ characters see:
http://forums.civfanatics.com/showthread.php?t=117233
 
Just got my game finished and the email off to GotM before May begins in the UK. But there is probably an extension.
 
Here is the next part of my log. I sometimes think it takes longer to type the log up (I hand write it while playing) than it does to actually play.

+1020 1 commodity and 2 food vans. Sverdlovsk (SSC) builds University. Population reaches 7 million. 33g spent on IPRBs.
+1040 Persian Diplomat expelled. 2 commodity vans, 1 settler and 1 Harbor. Smolensk builds Lighthouse. 173g spent on IPRBs.
+1060 Egyptians develop Astronomy (Persians get from GL). 1 Commodity and 2 food vans. Iron Working -> Gunpowder(1650).
Moscow Wine to Pi-Ramesses for 690g. Kiev Silk to Pi-Ramesses for 852g. 331g spent on IPRBs.
+1080 1 Commodity van, 1 food van and 2 aqueducts. Gunpowder -> Theory of Gravity(1700). Grozny beads to Sevastopol for 70g.
Hut -> 8 barb horses. 139g spent on IPRBs.
+1100 Persian gov't overthrown. Musketeer survives 3 Horse attacks before dying. 2 commodity vans, 1 food van and 3 settlers.
Population reaches 8 million. 334g spent on IPRBs.
+1120 Persian Monarchy. 1 commodity van, 1 food van and 1 diplomat. Bribe Barb horse for 41g. Hut -> Crusader. 177g spent on IPRBs.
+1140 Pi-Ramesses Beads to Dnepropetrovsk (Beads-Spice route). 3 commodity vans, 1 food van and 1 harbor. Theory of Gravity -> Explosives(1750).
Bribe barb horse for 41g. Kill 2 barb horse. Hut -> Musketeer. Smolensk Dye to Thebes for 468g. Maikop Silk to Moscow for 114g. 32g spent on IPRBs.
+1160 1 Commodity van and 1 settler. Sverdlovsk (SSC) builds Isaac Newton's College. Tula founded at 56,66,22. Minsk Gold to Grozny for 114g.
Uralsk Gold to Tblisi for 117g. Riga Wool to Vologda for 62g. 593g spent on IPRBs.
Contact Persians they want Nav or Gun, I decline, they won't exchange maps.
Contact Egyptians they want Nav or Sani, I give Sani (Persians get from GL), no map exchange.
+1180 3 commodity vans, 1 food van, 1 harbor, 1 aqueduct. Explosives -> Physics (1872). Population exceeds 9 million.
Hut -> Crusader. Kalinin founded at 100,66,12. Odessa Silver to Kharkov for 107g. 74g spent on IPRBs.
+1200 Egyptians develop Chemistry (Persians get from GL). 1 commodity van, 1 engineer and 1 Colossuem. Kill barb horse. 339g spent on IPRBs.
+1220 2 commodity vans, 2 food vans, 3 Engineers, 1 harbor. Egyptians demand Nav, I refuse, exchange maps. Novgorod Beads to El-Amarna for 248g.
Vladivostok Gems to Dnepropetrovsk for 135g. 22g spent on IPRBS.
+1240 Persians start GW. Physics -> Magnetism(1924). 1 commodity van and 2 Engineers. Sverdlovsk Dye to Elephantine for 956g.
Yaroslavl founded at 121,53,19. 499g spent on IPRBS.
+1260 Persian Gov't overthrown. 2 commodity vans and 1 Temple. Magnetism -> Bridge Building(1976). Batum Silver to Moscow for 100g.
372g spent on IPRBs.
+1280 Persian Republic establish. 4 commodity vans, 1 food van, 3 Harbors. Murmansk Beads to Krasnoyarsk for 86g, Vladivostok Dye to Susa for 396g.
206g spent on IPRBS.
+1300 1 commodity van, 2 Harbors and 1 Aqueduct. Population exceeds 10 million. 385g spent on IPRBs.
+1320 1 Temple, 1 Harbor and 1 Aqueduct. Bridge Building -> Economics(2028). Kazan Silk to Alexandria for 522g,
Rostov Wine to Astrakhan for 102g, Magnitogorsk Coal to Moscow for 130g. 260g spent on IPRBs.
+1340 Persians develop Democracy. 2 commodity vans, 4 Engineers, 1 Harbor and 1 Courthouse. Economics -> Steam Engine (2080).
Krasnoyarsk Gold to Odessa for 123g. 479g spent on IPRBs.
+1360 Egyptians develop Democracy (change to GW). 1 Commodity van, 2 Engineers, 1 Diplomat, 1 Harbor and 1 Courthouse.
Bribe Persian Settler for 328g. Bryansk Dye to Persepolis for 188g. Rostov Copper to Pasargadae for 480g. Grozny Dye to Antioch for 116g.
Krasnovodsk founded at 106,66,26. 550g spent on IPRBs.
+1380 5 commodity vans, 5 Engineers, 1 Harbor, 1 Aqueduct. Steam Engine -> Railroad(2132). Tblisi Wine to Elephantine for 450g.
Kiev Dye to Giza for 700g. Riga Wine to Byblos for 495g. Novgorod Gems to Sverdlovsk for 291g. 271g spent on IPRBs.
+1400 3 commodity vans, 4 Engineers, 2 Temples and 1 Harbor. Railroad -> Industrialization(2365). Subvert Antioch for 920g (74g+Democracy).
REVOLUTION.
+1420 Persians Trade Monarchy to Egyptians for Writing, sign Peace Treaty. Russian Democracy established. Warsaw founded at 60,74,27.
382g spent on IPRBs.
+1440 1 commodity van, 1 food van, 1 Harbor. Maikop Silver to Sverdlovsk for 165g. 178g spent on IPRBs.
+1460 3 commodity vans and 1 Engineer. Industrialization-> Corporation. Moscow builds Darwin's Voyage (Corp -> Feudalism -> Metallurgy(2576)).
Hut -> Advanced tribe -> Krakow at 72,20,2 (size 1 with Temple). Murmansk Wine to Memphis for 235g,
Moscow Dye to El-Amarna for 480g, Magnitogorsk Copper to Heliopolis for 340g, Odessa Dye to Gordium for 388g,
Kharkov Coal to Vladivostok for 212g, St.Pete Wine to Kursk for 150g.
Give Persians Railroad, share maps. Give Egyptians Railroad, share maps. 183g spent on IPRBs.
+1480 1 commodity Freight and 3 Engineers. Metallury -> Theology (2632).
Hut -> Advanced Tribe -> Gdansk at 49,99,27 (size 4 with Granary Temple and Mktplc).
Hut -> 8 barb Knights, Bribe 1 for 82G. 649g spent on IPRBs.
+1500 Knight + Dip killed by Barbs. 2 food Freight, 2 Engineers, 1 Factory and 1 Aqueduct. Lvov founded at 78,88,27.
Sverdlovsk Copper to Thebes for 1272g. Minsk Wine to Hieraconpolis for 415g.
Barbs off-shore from Novgorod. I block coastline near Novgorod with Engineers to prevent Barb Landing. 118g spent on IPRBs.


Status at +1500
Population: 10.5M; Cities: 40; Techs: 47; Government: Democracy
Gold: 3370; Cost: 65; Trade routes: 45D20F;
Ancient Wonders: Hanging Gardens, Colossus, Lighthouse
Medieval Wonders: Marco, Michelangelo, Magellan, Copernicus, Shakespeare
Industrial Wonders: Leo, Newton, Darwin's Voyage
Units: 36 Engineers (2 None), 6 Musketeers (1 NON), 2 Horsemen, 4 Crusaders, 12 Transports, 2 Diplomats, 23 Freight
Footprint: 10 cities in homeland, 5 on 31, 14 on 12, 6 on 27, 1 on each of 2, 19, 22, 26 and 29.
Goals: More cities, more foreign trade, Railroad across continent 12 (Homeland and continent 31 almost done).
Egyptian: 11 cities, 27 techs; Republic, Pyramids,
Persian: 8 cities, 28 techs; Republic, Great Library
 
Here is the next part of my log. I sometimes think it takes longer to type the log up (I hand write it while playing) than it does to actually play.
I started logging early on. I did it on paper exactly once. It is pointless. You are on a computer. Open a word processor and log as you play. I do have paper and pen handy while playing but only for taking short term notes that get destroyed later, such as where I plan to deliver a van (when I have quite a few running around in all directions).

Furthermore, cut down on low value details. The first user of the log is you the player. We can never win a game in one sitting and sometimes it is many days before getting back to it. The first thing I always do when resuming a game is to read the last few lines of my log. The other user of the log is your fellow players in this forum. If something is not of high value to either of those stop recording it. For example:
+1020 1 commodity and 2 food vans. Sverdlovsk (SSC) builds University. Population reaches 7 million. 33g spent on IPRBs.
In my opinion your production (3 vans) and how much you spent on IPRB is next to irrelevant. Do these provide any value to you? If not, stop recording them.
 
I think I missed a trick by not considering domestic deliveries until late in the game. It just never occured to me to try, I was more concerned with sending vans on 200 year voyages to the north.

Few more stats
520 AD
27 cities (in russia 12), pop 1.8m, build cost 1, settlers 6, army 12, boats 6, vans 7, 0 dips , 21 techs researching maths, 2 wonders, Republic govt., 2 trade routes (Persian city continent 11)
1020AD
43 cities (12 russia), pop 4.9m, 29 techs (research engin), build cost 6, 16 settlers, 12 army, 13 boats, vans 14, 0 dips, 4 wonders, Republic, 9 trade routes (7 cont 11, 2 Persepolis)
1500AD
73 cities (12 rus) pop 16.5, 43 techs, research railroad, build cost 47, democracy, 21 engineers, 10 army, 22 boats, 0 dips, 47 vans, 5 wonders
 
I think I missed a trick by not considering domestic deliveries until late in the game. It just never occured to me to try, I was more concerned with sending vans on 200 year voyages to the north.
As soon as I built Marco and exchanged maps with the rivals, I decided to put foreign trade on hold. Not only the rivals were literally on the other side of a large world, but also in game generated maps the land masses are so twisty and curvy that finding a path from point A to point B is very nontrivial. Domestic trade gives you half the payoff of course, but in this case I think it was the right decision. In my particular case, foreign trade took even longer than planned when my loaded lead trireme was sunk by a barbarian trireme that just appeared on the scene.
 
Updated comparative table 1500AD

Code:
Player              Ali	     haleewud        Inkerman       CharlieChuck
#cities total        67            40              42                73
- in Russia          11            10              12                12
population         56.6          10.5            22.5              16.5
#techs               47            47              42                43
buildings cost      182            65              45                47
#wonders             11            11              12                 5      
#settgineers         48            36              14                21
#army                26            12              48                10
#boats               14            12              11                22
#vans                30            23              27                47
#dips                 4             2              11                 0
trade            120D5F        45D20F          12D20F      few D, several F!

haleewud, Ali,

Thanks for logs, potentially extra detail and all! Just now after so much time needed to get my game over the finishing line it made a pleasant change to look more closely at the logs and not actually playing. I'll be back on soon though, next time back paying closer attention to black clicks and special locations.

Yes keeping a log has become a routine part of Civ2 for me now (and like haleewud I often include irrelevant details such as freight stat/end/commodity/payoff). So too these spoilers.

Ali, could I ask what location was Kiev your SSC?

Charlie, I appreciate your comment about domestic freight - I switched over to foreign when I could too, with 10 of them betwen 1000 and 1500 compared to just one domestic. Would you also have a comment about your being more selective with wonders, that might be interesting - did you use a SSC?

regards,
Inkerman
 
GAME 132

This was a very unusual and addictive game , I did started about 14 days ago and played a few turns , been busy at work . Last night I went on a roll, since I was FINALLY OFF for two days , so I sat by the computer at about 9 PM and played until 5 Am...slept for a few hours and got back at 9 AM....and finished about 1 PM !

Why was so interesting ? The Egyptians started the Pyramids and for unknow reason they quit half way... that was SWEET ! ...Trading Maps , was interesting and a turn on my game. I located a Hut on North of Homeland , ( 106.88 ) and was Contient 12 , when exchanged map with Persians , one of their cities ( SUSA - 49.35 ) was also on continent 12 several tiles away. Also the map exchange with Egyptians pointed at the two Civilizations close to each other. I decided to get two Explorers ( movent of 3 ) and a Horseman , and send them North , Hunting Huts and , discovering the Coast Line, instead of using slow and dangerous trireme routes.
By 500, Navigation was discovered ( Hut Hunting ! )
By 800 AD , my 2 explorers and horseman , had uncovered the Ocean Path visible from Russia all the way to the Northwest. Should had built Magellan earlier, but also needed some Veteran Elephants ....needed to sacrifice some Vans.

Another strange event , No Civilization ever searched The Wheel ( I try to stay away from the discovery in this game ) until almost the end of the Game ( Got it from a Hut on 1540 AD ). No Wheel , No Engeneering , No INVENTION...so HUT Hunting proved to be EXCELLENT ! I Got Theology and Theory of Gravity from HUTS!

Hut hunting was great...pretty much uncovered every one within reach.
I was lucky with Barbarians, encountered 4 times near the end of my game.
Here is my LOG -

4000 - Settlers Move East -
3900 - Hut at 107.99 , plus Wheat at 105.99 determines that 104.102 ( Forest ) is a 3 Special - Location - Moscow Built at 104.102 - Hut 107.99 - None Archers -
3700 - None Settler Irrigates - 104.102Moscow tile - @ Creremonial Burial
3300 - Moscow Build Settlers -
3200 - ST.PETERSBURGH - 109.101
3150 - C.Burial @ Alphabet -
2700 - Alphabet @ COL- None Settler Mines 109.97= Silk
2200 - KIEV - 102.98
2150 - MINSK -111.97 _ Egyptians Move Capital to Memphis -
2000 - COL @ Monarchy -
1700- 100.000
1600- None Settler Mining tile 103.105
1550 - Monarchy @ Currency
1450 - Monarchy Government -
1400- SMOLENSK - 106.96
1300 - Egypcians start Pyramids -
1100- Tile 103.105 Mined = Phaesant- Persians Move Capital to Pasargadae
1050- ODESSA -
1000 - Currency @ MapMaking-
975-TBLISI - Egyptians Move capital to Thebes
900 - Egyptians Abandon Pyramides
800- Egyptians start Pyramids -
700 - Firts Trireme
650 - Hut @ 106.88 ( Continent 12 ) = Masonry
550 - Persians Move Capital to Persepolis
500 - Egiptian Capital move to Thebes -
450 - TBLISI Attacked by Barbarians
275 - Mysticism @ Construction -
200 - MARCO POLO at MOSCOW Moscow - Trade x Pottery ( Egyptians ) - Gifted Trade to Persians-
175 - ALEXANDRIA ( Science City ) built at 96.106 ( Continent 31 )

STATUS at 20 AD -
9 Cities - 12 techs - Researching Construction - Monarchy -
Taxes 30 - 70 - 00 -
Wonders - PYRAMIDS and POLO - Building COLOSSUS and GREAT WALL ( will change it as a better wonder is available
No Foreign Contacts - Egyptians Hanging Gardens -

20 - PYRAMIDS at KIEV - Egyptians Build Hanging Gardens - Pottery x Horseback ( Persians ), - Egiptian Capital moved to Heliopolis - Persians Move Capital to Pasargadae
40 - Construction @ Mathematics
60 - YAKUTSK - 97.91
100 - Map Exchanged with Persians and Egyptians- Continent 12 expansive possible to send Scout units by land ! -
120 - VLADIVOSTOK - 97.105 mined = Silk
140 - Hut Hunting on Contient 12 - Hut @ 108.82 = Seafaring - PERFECT ...Explorers will be build ASAP and send to Scout Continent 12 -
160 - COLOSSUS at ALEXANDRIA ( Named my SC ALEXANDRIA ...for the Library )-
200 - Persians Move Capital to Arbela - Hut 102.80 = Polytheism
280 - 800.000
340 - Mathematics @ Astronomy - 2 Explorers landed at Continent 12 - Will locate the fastest way to SUSA ( 49.35 ) on North West part of the Continent
400 - Hut @ 95.69 = None Settlers
440 - Hut @ 93.75 = Astronomy @ Navigation - Hut 83.67 = Archers
480 - Hut @ 87.73 = Navigation @ Writing , Hut @ 89.67 = Advance Tribe -NOVGOROD
540 - KRASNOYARSK -89.113 - ( 3 City Special )
600 - RIGA - 101.89
620 - Writing @ Literacy
660 - Heliopolis ( Egyptian ) - GREAT LIBRARY - Hut @ 82.56 = 25 Gold
700 - Hut 69.43 = None Archer -
720 - Hut Hunting Continent 27 - Hut @ 76.82 = Literacy @ Philosophy - Hut @ 86.90 = Philosophy @ University --Hut @ 70.80 = Medicine
740 - Hut @ 63.41 = Monotheism
800 - Explorers reached SUSA - Ocean Alley from Mainland to Persia en Egypt discovered -
840 - ALEXANDRIA builds SHAKESPEARE - MINSK Builds Magellan
860 - Hut @ 75.71 = 50 Gold -( Island 29 ) - Updated maps with Egyptians and Persians
880 - 2.000.000 - Hut @ 61.75 = 50 Gold
940 - Hut @ 74.88 = 50 Gold
980 - Hut @ 52.50 = 3 Barbarians - Ellephant returns to ship unharmed -


Status at 1000 AD -
Monarchy - 14 Cities - 24 Techs - Researching Theory of Gravity -
Wonders : PYRAMIDS, COLOSSUS , POLO , MAGELLAN , SHAKESPEARE-
Armada ( 3 Caravels , 8 Ellies and 1 Archer ) 5 turns away from Persian Main-
Egyptians - Enthusiastic - At Peace - Wonders - HG and Great Library
Persian - Enthusiastic - At Peace ( Not for Long ...)

Plan : Will Exchange maps with Persians prior to attack - Debating on attacking Persepolis or Pasargadae ( Capital )...will deliver several Caavans to Egypt , and then after Persians are ALMOST destroyed ( Will leave SUSA or TARSUS ...to avoid Respawns, will then Incite a Revolt after 1650. )

1020 - Hut @ 46.48 = 50 Gold
1060 - Hut @ 44.54 = None Crusader
1080 - Armada near Persepolis - Hut @ 31.41 = Advanced Tribe - ROSTOV
1100 - Hut @ 50.56 = Physics
1140 - Hut @ 38.54 = The Republic
1160 - PASARGADAE taken + Warrior Code
1180 - Hut @ 62.112 = Theory of Gravity @ Banking
1200 - Hut @ 60.118 = Advanced Tribe ASTRAKAN
1240 - Banking @ Economics
1280 - ARBELA Conquered + Feudalism , PERSEPOLIS Conquered-
1300 - COPERNICUS at ALEXANDRIA
1320 - Copper Caravan at Giza = 244, Silk at Giza = 384
1340 - Dye from Odessa to Helipolis = 352
1360 - Economics @ Atomic Theory - Hut @ 18.56 = Archer
1380 - Hut @ 72.20 = Advanced Tribe - KHARKOV - GORDIUM Conquered ( Persian Capital )
1400 - Wine to Elephantine= 295 - Beads to Memphis = 392
1420 - ANTIOCH Conquered- Dye to Alexandria ( Egypcian ) 356
1440 - ISAAC NEWTON @ ALEXANDRIA - Hut @ 49.99 = 50 Gold , Hut @ 86.118 = 50 Gold
1460 - Atomic Theory @ Theology - Hut @ 12.54 = Advanced Tribe - GROZNY , Hut @ 14.48 = 100 gold- - DNEPROPETROSVK built at 86.116
1500 - Hut Hunting - Contienet 2 - Hut 101.43 = 50 Gold
1510 - Hut @ 37.97 = Advanced Tribe - MAIKOP
1530 - Michelangelo at SMOLENSK - Hut @ 97.35 = Theology @ Chemistry ( only other option is Chivalry ...)
1540 -Before attacking trading map with Egyptians - Interestingly ...Egyptian trireme has scouted the shoreline of another MASSIVE continent ( #2 ) , BYBLOS is located at 99.5 near the North Polo - Continent # 2 has almost a Circular shape !
Blck Clicking and Exel Sheet , show about 16 Huts on Continent 12 !

1540 - Hut @ 70.26 = Advanced Tribe - KURSK - HELIOPOLIS Conquered ( Egyptian Capital ) + Great Library + Iron Working + 49 gold- Hut @ 20.50 = The Wheel ...!!
1550 - Hut @ 91.35 = 50 Gold, Hut @ 42.88 = Legion
1560 - Egyptian Capital Moved to Memphis -Memphis Conquered + Hanging Gardens + 78 Gold - Hut @ 102.26 = Bridge Building, Alexandria ( Egyptian ) conquered + 74 Gold -
1570 - ELEPHANTINE Conqered + 69 Gold
1580 - Chemistry @ Magnetism- Hut @ 85.33 - Advanced Tribe -KUIBYSHEV
1590 - PI-RAMESSES Conquered + 67 Gold
1600 - Hut @ 108.28 = 8 Barbarians - Diplomat able to buy a Barbarian horseman to keep scouting - Egyptians 3 Cities ( Armies Will conquer Giza ) diplomat sailing towrds BYBLOS will subvert the city . Thebes ( Size 2 ) will be also be Suvberted by Diplomat after 1650 , same as only Persians city ( Suza ) ...game almost over.
 
As soon as I built Marco and exchanged maps with the rivals, I decided to put foreign trade on hold. Not only the rivals were literally on the other side of a large world, but also in game generated maps the land masses are so twisty and curvy that finding a path from point A to point B is very nontrivial. Domestic trade gives you half the payoff of course, but in this case I think it was the right decision. In my particular case, foreign trade took even longer than planned when my loaded lead trireme was sunk by a barbarian trireme that just appeared on the scene.

By your log, it does seem the domestic deliveries were paying off. I should have really thought harder about the map after getting Marcos. I had some problems with Barbs, they captured a city on continent 45, but losing a ship with vans is very costly with such a long treck to the AI.
 
Updated comparative table 1500AD

Code:
Player              Ali	     haleewud        Inkerman       CharlieChuck
#cities total        67            40              42                73
- in Russia          11            10              12                12
population         56.6          10.5            22.5              16.5
#techs               47            47              42                43
buildings cost      182            65              45                47
#wonders             11            11              12                 5      
#settgineers         48            36              14                21
#army                26            12              48                10
#boats               14            12              11                22
#vans                30            23              27                47
#dips                 4             2              11                 0
trade            120D5F        45D20F          12D20F      few D, several F!


Charlie, I appreciate your comment about domestic freight - I switched over to foreign when I could too, with 10 of them betwen 1000 and 1500 compared to just one domestic. Would you also have a comment about your being more selective with wonders, that might be interesting - did you use a SSC?

regards,
Inkerman

Just counted my trade routes. 39 foreign 0 domestic at 1500. I think it was much later than I started domestic trade, probably after Superhighways (I built a city at the top of continent 12 and threw everything at it.)

I thought about building an SSC but the Egyptians beat me to Collosus early on and then Copernicus (built sometime between 1060-1120) I knew they were building Copernicus but decided to risk it and send the vans north instead, missing out. Moscow became a mini SSC with Newtons library and university. I normally build a lot more wonders but my plan was to go for minimal, I've been waiting for a GOTM to try it on. The plan was size 8 cities with no improvements, but I soon changed the plan to include harbours then aquaducts and finally gave up on the plan!

Looking at the stats I wasn't that far behind at 1500, however I did get caught up a bit in wars towards the end so I've no doubt I slipped behind there.
 
Here is a recap of the next stage of my game.

I was pretty happy with my development between +1510 and +1750.

The trade engine was working quite well. I completed my Continent 12 Railroad in +1570 and was able to make same turn deliveries when necessary to either the Persians or Egyptians. During the 25 turns, I made 57 foreign deliveries for a total of 48790 gold and an additional 17 domestic deliveries for 11894 gold. One thing that helped trading was the Persian City of Pasargadae. In +1500 Pasaradae was size 11. By +1600 it was size 14 and size 16 in +1670. I made 14 deliveries to Pasargadae during this stage of the game.

I made 23 tech advances. 2 turns I miscalculated the deliveries and missed out on the advance. One turn, I didn't try to make an advance (+1520) and 1 turn I got 2 advances when I was able to trade THE WHEEL to the Egyptians for COMMUNISM.

I also added 24 cities during the 25 turns. 2 of the cities were subverted from the Persians. 2 more cities were Advanced Tribes from huts. The rest were founded by engineers.

With all the gold from the deliveries I was able to really expand the infrastructure of the cities. In +1500, I had 32 1 cost improvements and 10 Aqueducts, 1 University, 1 Colosseum, 1 Factory and 1 Sewer System. By +1750 I had 40 Aqueducts, 1 University, 5 Mass Transit, 8 Colosseums, 17 Factories, 33 Sewer Systems, 21 Supermarkets, 22 Superhighways and 30 Off-Shore platforms.

I also built 4 Wonders during this stage. Bach's, Adam Smith, Statue of Liberty and Hoover Dam were completed.


Status at +1750
Population: 66.3M; Cities: 64; Techs: 70; Government: Democracy
Gold: 1175; Cost: 532; Trade routes: 51D52F;
Ancient Wonders: Hanging Gardens, Colossus, Lighthouse
Medieval Wonders: Marco, Michelangelo, Magellan, Copernicus, Shakespeare
Industrial Wonders: Leo, Bach, Newton, Adam Smith, Darwin's Voyage, Statue of Liberty
Modern Wonders: Hoover Dam
Units: 36 Engineers (2 None), 6 Musketeers (1 NON), 2 Horsemen, 4 Crusaders, 12 Transports, 2 Diplomats, 23 Freight
Footprint: 10 cities in homeland, 5 on 31, 17 on 12, 11 on 27, 3 on each of 2, 19 and 43, 2 on each of 20 and 45, 1 on each of 6, 10, 11, 22, 23, 26, 29 and 42.

Goals: Flight, Space Flight, Spaceship components, more cities.

Egyptian: No Embassy, 13 visible cities; Republic, Pyramids,
Persian: No Embassy, 7 visible cities; Republic, Great Library
 
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