How do I get a better GOTM Score?

[Tanstaafl]

I've enjoyed the GOTM games, not always catching the latest before the deadline.
But what basic strategies should a person employ to better their GOTM score? Because of the calculations I'm not sure what combination of factors is most important: size of population, number of wonders, faster conquest rate, reputation, etc?
Speed of achieving victory, by whatever means, is important according to the rules website. Is the answer to my question, then, the best strategy for winning, period?

 

[Peaster]

Your GOTM score = (civ2 score) x (speed factor).

Your civ2 score = citizens + wonders + barb level. You can find it by clicking World/Civilization Score. Ignore any "Bonus Score" you get at the end. Reputation does not count.

Your speed factor decreases exponentially a little each turn. This means it is probably going down faster than your civ2 score is going up, at least after 1AD or so. So, you should probably finish as soon as you can. But play on if you can build another wonder within 2-3 turns.

If you want more details, there is a discussion of this in a recent spoiler thread (GOTM 45, I think). BTW - I usually don't play for score, because it seems more fun to play for speed. Of course, you can aim for whatever goal you want.

 

[Tanstaafl]

That's what seems to be the main discussions in the "Spoiler" threads after a game is posted...the date of finish and by what means. Usually it seems the fastest games are by conquest.
I need to read more of those to improve my speed of conquest...and that's how I usually play it. I like the fights!

 

[Peaster]

The link I was thinking of is in the GOTM 44 spoiler. It's about how fast you have to increase your civ2 score per turn to balance the decrease in your speed factor.

http://forums.civfanatics.com/showp...06&postcount=37

If you want to read the best guide to early conquest in the whole world, look in the Apolyton/Civ2/Strategy forum. I will probably get around to writing version 2.0 one of these days. So, if you see room for improvement, or have questions, etc, please share.

Actually, before you read that, you should read DaveV's guide to ICS in the Apolyton Great Library, and maybe Elephant's "Tips and Tricks for New Players" - if you don't know those things already.

 

[Tanstaafl]

I have read some of the Apolyton strategy notes but you have pointed out some I haven't checked out yet. It is a remarkable game and I'm finding out that after years of play (depsite my interferring ordinary life of family, job, etc.) I am still learning a lot. There is still so much enjoyment, too!
Thank you for your help, Peaster.

 

[Ali Ardavan]

The GOTM scoring system is complex. It rewards you for a higher base score but it also highly rewards you for finishing early. At higher levels, for every extra turn you take to finish you better be increasing your base score by 2% (1.88% to break even) or your GOTM score will not increase. See http://forums.civfanatics.com/showthread.php?t=27238&page=2&pp=36
for details.