Naismith said:Yes, I've pretty much gotten there, which is one of the reasons I will probably never attempt anything above Monarch level. It seems the higher you go, the narrower your options are (i.e. more warring, at least for me).
I wish diplomatic victories were easier to achieve at higher levels. Space race victories are boring to me. Domination is better, but a steady diet of that gets boring, too. A true diplomatic victory, say on a Huge continents map at Monarch level doesn't seem very doable. I just don't see any way to get the required number of votes unless you own 50% of the planet - which isn't really a diplomatic victory.
One of my main gripes with the game is that it emphasises war and early conquest much more than anything else. If I play a 2 civ game, take my warrior and run over and kill the one lone size 1 city of the other civ in 3500 BC, I get a MUCH higher score than if I play 8 other civs and win a cultural victory in 2049.
That is one reason I think I will try a peace-only game this weekend when I have a few hours, something different and probably an all new strategy.
Gee, I wonder which takes more time, work, and skill?