I tried playing Prince level as Roosevelt of the American Empire. I too found this incredibly easy. The barbarians were an annoyance in the beginning, but once I got Monarchy researched and the Oracle built, I beelined Feudalism for Longbows. From then on, I expanded throughout the continent. Even though isolated from everyone else, I still had the top producton, science, and growth. This is mainly caused by two reasons:
One, North America is rich in corn, deer, marble, and stone; easy to cultivate and prosper from. However, I do undertstand the Aztecs and America civilizations spawn late in the game. So the rich land is necessary for them to catch up.
Two, I think it comes to a major flaw in handicapping the AIs. I know you are trying to balance them with eachother, but you should really be balancing them towards the player. The AI is settling their cities so close that they are crippling their growth and economy. For example, Spain settled 7 cities on the Iberian peninsula! I feel I have no real competition while the other civlizations stumble over themselves.
Another thing I noticed was that the Roman civilization didn't spawn. Either they didn't spawn or were wiped out the same turn. This kind of threw havoc in Europe as those barbarian cities really grew strong. But in the end they flipped to the spawning European civs, so it all worked out for the best. Again, like the others said, England, Germany, and Spain did not start with the basic technologies.
Right now, I'm just starting in the 1000's AD. I entered the Inustrial Era around 1100 or so. I am just building some railroads a few turns later. I think I can squeeze in a Space Victory probably before the 1700's or 1800's. Quite funny actually.
Just fix some balancing issues and this could become the greatest CIV IV mod out there
check your mail for save file
but Spain and England (also started with no tech)
