Difference in game speeds?

[Lafer]

What is the difference in game speeds? I've only ever played on normal, and when I read other people's posts, they seem to be able to do a lot more in such a short time period than I can ever do? Is it that the turns take away less time? Do they add to the amount of research you need to do?

 

[PimpyMicPimp]

Turns mean less on slower speeds, so it isn't as hard. E.g. Screwing up a turn when you have 500 isn't as bad a thing when you only have 200. The main reason I think people play on slower speeds, and why I do, is because on Normal, and even sometimes on Epic (my prefered speed), your units can obsolete so fast you never really get a chance to use them. I'd suggest playing a game or two on Epic and see how you like it. For me, it was the perfect fit.

 

[MrCynical]

On the slower speeds there are more turns (Epic is roughly 1.5X as long as normal, marathon is 3X). Research is slowed by the same factor, as are build times. Unit production however is not slowed as much, and it takes them proportionally less of the game to move around the map. Hence you get more use of each unit before it goes out of date (particularly on Quick that seems to happen before you even get the unit to the frontline).

This also makes it somewhat easier, since the slow speed favours warfare, which is the AI's weakest point. Also, since there are far more turns, the game is somewhat more forgiving of little mistakes.