This is my first GOTM. As I write this, my Spaceship is on the way, and I'm concentrating on making the cities grow. The SS will arrive before all my cities have maxed, however.
Early on, the Zulus and I had a few minor skirmishes, but my horseman flanked them and fortified on a mountain to help contain/distract their northward expansion. A lone warrior, later backed by diplomats, defended south of the Zulu civ.
After Monarchy in BC 1650, I went for Republic very early (for me)... revolution in 1000 BC and republic in 925 BC, and used WLTC days to zoom Berlin to size 7 by 825 bc, with Hamburg following. By 625 BC: 2 size 8 and one (irrigation-limited) size 3 cities.
AD 40 was a big year... both Pyramids (Berlin) and Colossus (Hamburg) were completed simultaneously.
By the Millennium, Hamburg (my science city) was size 18 (29 shields, 248 science), Berlin 12, Frankfurt & Leipzig 10, Konigsburg (and its 3 whales) 9, Munich 5, and Heidelburg 3. These were destined to form the core of the German empire. Arbela, a size 3 ex-persian city (bribed), is hopelessly mired at size 3, and a former Barbarian city (itself evidently a prior Roman city), Cumae, is Size 10. The Zulus were contained (but their existance blocked German northward expansion), and my embassy kept an eye on them. My seapower is a lone Trireme, bribed from a raiding barb... Its mission is to explore and roam the coastlines, looking for hapless victims to bribe (I like "none" units). Taxes are 0%, Science 70% (every 2 days), Luxuries at 30%.
1240 AD was a big year - Leonardos Workshop was done. All those cheap "none" units are now much more powerful, and most of my cites are now invulnerable. Explosives are one turn from completion, and my Ironclads are wreaking havok with all they see. Antium will be in German hands when my Ironclads arrive on station. Hamburg is still the big Gorilla at size 21 (29 Shields, 324 science), with a 17, two 16s, two 15s, 11, 10, and 5.
JS Bach followed in the year 1320.
1470 proved to be the beginning of the end, as it marked the discovery of Tactics. Normally, this discovery is insignificant in the development of my empire... but I have an army of NONE Cavalry now, and so far no gunpowder units to face them. Time to agitate my neighbors into war. Because the German empire is small and compact, and war is still desirable, the government is still Republic. By my count, the cost is 53 Trade Icons lost to corruption. However, my Destroyers would cripple my cities' growth under a Democracy... so it's Republic for now.
Finally in 1500 AD, a war with the Zulus... in 1505, my Cavalry takes their capital... in 1515, their empire is mine. Their Capital will be used to spew out engineers until it is destroyed (Stupid Zulus put Zimbabwe in a non-optimum location). In the far north, and steady war against the evil Carthegenians is progressing very well, Cavalry, Riflemen, and a vet Destroyer. Other destroyers are continuing to pummel any occupied coastal cities of the Sioux (whom I have not yet made contact with). The Senate will not let me attack the Romans or Persians, but I badger both empires continually in the hope they will start a war.
In 1520, needling the Persians finally resulted in War. A RR rushed from Antium to Persipolis using all my available engineers results the the eradication of all Persians by 1530. My Vet Cavalry reign supreme.
In 1525, I am researching Electronincs (need Hoover Dam!), and the Carthagenian Civilization fell by Subversion. My growth cycle (50% lux) ended as the need is now pressing for gold. 30% tax, 50% sci, 20% Lux gives me 560 gold per turn, with Sci giving advances every 2 years.
1530 was the year of big decision... and the decision is to kill everyone quickly. War has been impossible with the Romans... the senate refuses. My Destroyers are in place, and so will be my Cavalry, Spies, and riflemen.
In 1540, my engineers were laying RR track to Roman cities in preparation for a war which will come with a revolution.... when lo and behold, a Roman horseman attacks my engineers building a RR track on a hill near Rome. This welcome war results in the utter annhilation of the Roman Empire in the same year.
In 1545, my engineers lay RR towards Sioux cities, and declaring a revolution in 1550 allows me to start a war with the Sioux when I meet them for the first time. In 1555, all sioux cities are mine, except for Bear Paw, which I allow to live so I can build a spaceship.
I come out of revolution in Democracy, and use military units to help accelerate the development of my empire.
1560 begins the forced growth under Democracy, with 40% lux. 10% sci gives advances every 6 turns, and 50% tax yields 1128 gold. The objective now is to land a Spaceship before 1800.
Caravans are key to quick sciencs and gold to finance all the rush building and expansion. In 1610, a new record of 1110 gold is set for oil to Veii.
Spaceflight is discovered in 1690, and a new record of 1782 gold is set for oil from Hamburg to Texalcoco, both of which have airports and superhighways. If a city ain't got no Airport and Superhighway, it an't gettin' no freight!
In 1710, Stealth is completed, leaving only FT. In 1750, a rail link is completed via the southern polar route, which eliminates the need for the tedious Hamburg-Veii transports of Freight and engineers every year.
In 1756, The Apollo Program is completed and a full spaceship (39-8-8-4-4-4) is begun. Also, engineer population exceeds 200 for the first time.
In 1760, a Hamburg Oil Frieght to Tlateloco give a record 2184 gold. A later Hlobane-Bonn uranium freight gives 2176.
In 1770, the spaceship is completed, and launched in 1772... Growth will be encouraged throughout the empire, but it is now obvious that growth will not be finished by the time the spaceship lands.
So that's my German Empire at the moment. Conquered with Cavalry and Funded with Freight.
Every turn I recalculate what my GOTM score would be and (ofcourse due to super growth) it just keeps on rising almost constantly with a almost half point every turn.
