A newcomer says hello fellow tyrants and diplomats

[TheOverseer714]

The game preferences are rarely discussed, but it's generally best to uncheck the wonder victory box, the culturally linked box, and the respawn AI opponents box. The other row all should be unchecked, those are mostly meant for scenarios. Unless you want a shorter game, of course. People who want shorter games generally aren't fanatical enough about Civ to end up here

 

[Nergal]

Tech cost is basically based on how many of the earlier techs in the tree you know and how many people you know that know that tech. Theres a quite complex article in the War academy. But the bottom line is try to meet as many people as you can, without them meeting each other.