Usual date of Middle Ages?

[thcsquad]

What is the date when most of you advance into the Middle Ages? My first game I didn't get in till the 1600s(ick!), my second the mid 1300s, and now on my third game I'm just about into it(a few turns of Currency left, then I'm in), in the mid 600s. I'm wondering how close I am to the average on this. And also what about the Industrial Age?

 

[PaulNAdhe]

You know ... I never notice the year when an age changes. I do recall the time when I get to Republic and am alway disappointed that it was after the real Romans got there. I also note the time when I go to Democracy, that's usually substantially earlier than 1776.

But, I don't think it makes a lot of difference if you're playing a 'building' game. When the city improvements start coming online then they'll swamp the other civs that run a conquest game (as long as you can defend yourself).

 

[-proletarian-]

I usually am happy if I can advance to the middle ages before 600AD. It seems to advance faster on pangea maps for some reason though, once i advanced while i was still in B.C.!

 

[andrewj]

I made it into the Middle Ages around 400AD in my last game ( my second ) on a tiny map. I would like to advance quicker through the technologies so that there is least a fair chance that I could see a tank before the game ends.

If you go into the Editor under the "worlds" tab I think its called, you'll find several options. Not only can you change the default number of Civs that MAY appear on any map size but there's also a field marked TECH RATE. This is set low on tiny worlds - 60 and high for huge worlds -280. As on tiny worlds contact with the other civs is quicker, trading should assist with the advance of tech knowledge but on huge worlds the reverse is true.

I believe that by increasing the TECH RATE effects how the slider operates on the F1 domestic advisor screen. A high tech rate value will reduce the number of turns required per 10% increase in funding, over a low tech rate. The fewer turns it takes to obtain a technology, the faster you progress.