Just finished my science-focused game (Babylon, Emperor, Fractal) and while I studied the various tall and wide strategies, I couldn't do it. I had four cities, all size 10 or under the whole game, and in somewhat isolation with only Polynesia as a close neighbor. I think it was because I was so focused on specialists, both science and merchants, to not only keep afloat financially, but to stockpile GS so I can make the Great Leap.
Not only did it work, I managed to engage in only one small defensive war. I got nervous when I was (slowly) building my last SS parts because Polynesia could've struck a blow and Germany was conquering the world via nukes. The Germans never got to me in their steamroll.
The Great Leap was 8 GS plus Scientific Revolution to go from Telegragh area all the way to Satellite. Had to do Particle Physics the hard way while buying time to get one more GS for Nanotech.
Two of the keys were converting all of the hill farms to mines before building the SS, as well as the left side of Rationalism.
I wouldn't recommend trying to stay Short and Poor but it did work, for what it's worth.
Not only did it work, I managed to engage in only one small defensive war. I got nervous when I was (slowly) building my last SS parts because Polynesia could've struck a blow and Germany was conquering the world via nukes. The Germans never got to me in their steamroll.
The Great Leap was 8 GS plus Scientific Revolution to go from Telegragh area all the way to Satellite. Had to do Particle Physics the hard way while buying time to get one more GS for Nanotech.
Two of the keys were converting all of the hill farms to mines before building the SS, as well as the left side of Rationalism.
I wouldn't recommend trying to stay Short and Poor but it did work, for what it's worth.