I just tried it to see how hard it was, and basically, it's impossible. I can't see how anyone beat it without modifying options in the custom game or cheating. How is it possible to beat with default Play Now options?
Here's the scoop...
I started it with Elizabeth as my leader on Continents and Huge map. I was trying for a Space victory because frankly, I don't think I could go military when the AI had Swordsmen in early BC and I'm still making Warriors. Also, they expanded so fast that I was only able to secure a fair size chunk of land with about 6-7 cities total in the end...when I lost...to a spaceship...that was finished in 1600! The AI had modern armor/mech infantry/jet fighters in 1400-1500 and were building spaceship parts since the 1300's. I was still getting the Industrial techs, and this is coming from a straight up research boom stand point. I never fought any war, I played my diplomatic stances correct and spread my own religion around. I had tons of towns, and cities producing mass research (I had 3 producing near 200 and 1 over 200). There's no way I could have out produced any of the AI civs.
Here's the scoop...
I started it with Elizabeth as my leader on Continents and Huge map. I was trying for a Space victory because frankly, I don't think I could go military when the AI had Swordsmen in early BC and I'm still making Warriors. Also, they expanded so fast that I was only able to secure a fair size chunk of land with about 6-7 cities total in the end...when I lost...to a spaceship...that was finished in 1600! The AI had modern armor/mech infantry/jet fighters in 1400-1500 and were building spaceship parts since the 1300's. I was still getting the Industrial techs, and this is coming from a straight up research boom stand point. I never fought any war, I played my diplomatic stances correct and spread my own religion around. I had tons of towns, and cities producing mass research (I had 3 producing near 200 and 1 over 200). There's no way I could have out produced any of the AI civs.