Can this Emp game be beat?

[Temron]

Ok guys... This is my second attempt at an emperor level game and I am now at about 1400AD. I figure I have done quite a few things wrong at this point but I am wondering if people can help me correct them to salvage the game. I am currently 4th in score but the far more pressing issue is I am last in military power. I am sharing my continent with Saladin after a joint war to take out Monty. Saladin is friendly with me. Really wanted to take out Saladin first but Monty DoWed me. Saladin was sandwiched between us but did very well for himself in the land grab.

Now the power issue seems easy enough to correct as I am second when it comes to MFG after Saladin who is way ahead. My biggest concern is that I only have about 7 cities to Saladin's 16 and no more room to really expand. I am also starting to fall behind a little in tech and as both Ragnar and Saladin have a 3 tech lead on me. The rest are about 2 to 3 techs behind me.

My biggest concern is that Saladin is gonig to run away with this game but I am so far behind in military power, tech (he has rifling) and MFG that I am not sure that I can successfully take him down.

I guess I should just attach a save and let you guys take a look.

 

[slaze]

No .............

 

[Unconquered Sun]

After a quick review:

Tech-wise you're not behind too badly. Your only serious problem is the low number of cities.

1. Settle one on your west coast (near the cow) and conquer/settle the barbaric island ASAP. Culture bomb any AI settlements on the island and you'll have a decent number of cities.

2. Don't fight Saladin. Make best friends. Shouldn't be hard as long as you keep same religion (the guy is fanatic). Aim for good relations with AIs who can trade you techs. Don't overspend on military, there's no point to war more in this game.

3. Choose your favorite development strategy and go for the space race. Right now you have a lot of farms, you can beeline Biology and use Caste for tons of scientists. Alternatively, retool for CE after Democracy. Either way build more Workers.

 

[Dan Quale]

Well hmm, your buddy Saladin is pretty buff, personally id tech till planes/tanks and kill him, no one on the other continent seems like they will be exceptional space ship builders, but you will lose a diplomatic victory to the other continent it appears. I would suggest a far earlier war but your mfg is just so pittifully small compared to saladin, and mfg is what really counts as far as warmongering. Ive never been in a situation like yours due to being a physcotic warmonger. I mean at the start of the game I kill all their scouts,and their workers, and archers, and pretty much anything that moves.
In contrast to my previous recommendation, which could only be won through an excellent use of millitary strategy,reliant on vast numbers of bombers and collateral damage, a space victory is definately not out of the question. Looking at the other continent,ragnar,toku,stalin, not exactly the peaceful types, no real competition as far as outbuilding your spaceship,but Saladin is definately a threat, inducing a war at some reputation cost with saladin would be your best bet in hindering his progress, also use spies heavily to cut off his key resources, and if possible directly sabotage modules.
Other than that you can always hope you get lucky.