Best GNP but behind in technology

[timewasted]

Hi all,

Can anyone help me understand why I fall behind in technology ?

I will use my last game as an example....

I ensured my GNP was vastly ahead of my opponents, i built cottages, plowed money in to Science, built librarys, universitys and observatories etc. Yet even the opponent that had the lowest GNP according to the GNP graph, was head of me in Science.

I always seem to fall behind in science.

Yes they could be using Geat scienists and specialists etc but so was I and as I said, my GNP was double theirs in my example. This was on Prince setting. Is the computer cheating ? How are they getting the techs so fast?!

Thanks

 

[Rex Tyrannus]

GNP is a poor indicator of research speed. If I remember correctly, the F9 GNP does not factor in modifiers from banks. Nor does it factor in specialists or gains from holy cities. It only looks at raw tile yield, unless I'm mistaken.

Compound that with the fact that GNP reflects money, not actual research and it gets confusing. Libraries, universities, etc. all affect research but not GNP in any way. Scientist specialist likewise. Edit: Also, if an AI is running representation with many specialists, the extra three beakers per specialist really stack up.

The last complicating factor is the difficulty. The AI plays at noble. If you play at monarch your techs cost more than the AI's techs.

 

[Zanmato]

Possibly through trading with each other, doesn't have to be trading techs but one Civ could be exporting alot of resources for gold which in turn they put into science. The combined science output of two or more Civs may be enough to equal or surpass your own output. It does seem strange and slightly annoying when two or more AI's appear to work as a team through the tech tree.

Remember however, on Prince setting each AI gets 5% bonus towards science and the bonus will be alot more effective if they have large centres of population.

You could go to war with them or bribe someone else to war with them or export something to them for gold per turn slowing them down in their research.

 

[timewasted]

Those replies are very helpful. I did not know about the 5% difficulty bonus, plus I've always disregarded representation but maybe it can be used effectively in the space race. Plus the trading resources for gold to put into research is a strategy I never thought of. I've got a lot to learn still! Back to the drawing board.

Thanks guys.

 

[Rex Tyrannus]

Civics can be very powerful in combination. For instance: Representation give +3 beakers per specialist. Caste system allows unlimited artists, scientists, and merchants. Mercantilism gives one free specialist per city.

Use all three as a combo and you can turn your free specialist into a scientist in each city for +6 beakers per turn, per city. That adds up very quickly. Especially if you use other specialists beyond the free guys Mercantilism grants you.

 

[Naismith]

I wish there was a direct way of seeing research speed. As far as I can tell, GNP is the best indicator there is, which isn't saying much.

I also wish you could see a direct comparison of military strength in addition to the power graph/Soldiers rating.

Being able to see AI trades would also be nice, and more realistic than the current setup.