OK, I get your point, but really - next time you should mention that you play exclusively MP. As you could imagine, most players here are playing SP, and things are a bit different
I hear what you are saying, and have no doubts that what you say is true for competitive multiplayer gaming. That is not the type of game that I am playing, which obviously also explains our different strategies. If you play (casual) singleplayer, the free Amphitheatre is not that bad.
Yeah well you came on quite strong dragon, saying I need to go play some settler matches. That was pretty messed up.
I shouldn't have to mention that I play MP because what's optimal in competitive multiplayer is what's optimal in the game as a whole. This is because human beings put your strategy to the ultimate test since they can actually think. If you can beat a highly skilled human with a strategy then you will demolish a Diety AI with it.
Also, just because you don't play multiplayer doesn't mean that multiplayer strategies are some how irrelevant to you. If you choose to ignore them then you are denying yourself opportunities to learn and get better at the game.