How is This Even Possible?

[Nlmh71]

I'm playing a game on King difficulty as Babylon, standard settings. I just met my closest neighbor, France on turn 12. I also noticed that they already had a second city and roughly twice the score as I did. On turn 12. Even with Ancien Regime, can France really get enough culture for two social policies by turn 12? I haven't even selected my first one. I'm thinking they may have gotten lucky with a +culture ruins, but even then... This is my second game on King difficulty, is the bias towards the AI this strong?

 

[buchengshi]

How much of the map have you explored around them? Maybe they had El Dorado nearby, and bought a settler?

 

[Nlmh71]

I've explored most of it, but there is more to the south...I'll check.

Nope, no El Dorado. I suppose the most logical explanation is that he found culture in ruins...or enough gold to buy a settler.

 

[asmartlittleman]

France is usually strong on any setting don't worry though the AI gets small bonuses but Babylon is pretty strong too. Bowmans will take care of defense early and once you get your academy you will slowly pull away just don't give up. I play the next difficulty and I'm always behind till about the Medieval Era then i start to be competitive point wise at least.

 

[Sir Lunchalot]

I'm playing a game on King difficulty as Babylon, standard settings. I just met my closest neighbor, France on turn 12. I also noticed that they already had a second city and roughly twice the score as I did. On turn 12. Even with Ancien Regime, can France really get enough culture for two social policies by turn 12? I haven't even selected my first one. I'm thinking they may have gotten lucky with a +culture ruins, but even then... This is my second game on King difficulty, is the bias towards the AI this strong?

I think it´s possible. As you said, they probably found a culture ruin and then with the tradition opener it should be feasible.