Txurce
Deity
I just finished my first game in a while, and have some points to raise about the current state of VEM. Most of my comments are here, but some are in other threads.
For comparison, I again played Korea on Continents Plus. It was a rare overall dominant victory for me, although Japan edged me out in score. I launched on t286, at which point my 8 cities led in pop with 69M people (3 were captured, 2 were big capitals). They ranged in size from 15 to 35. Needless to say, this was a first.
My science got off to a relatively slow start (low pop), but exploded to heights Ive never approached before: 3553 on t254, and over 4500 before goosing it up to 5200 while timing my last tech and SP. I researched Apollo in 5 turns, and built my last parts in 2 or 3.
America finished second in science with 1212, by which time it had lost 40% of its size. Persia was a powerhouse even with only three cities. AI science is strong enough, given that its population still grows quickly. The other civs didnt favor science.
Increased AI aggressiveness (Aztecs denounced me on t22!) and military power led to more eliminations: two civs out, one reduced to an island, and the others either warring or saved by chokeholds. I puppeted the Japanese onto my continent, let them develop, then bribed them into warring against co-leader America. In a long, medieval/industrial war by which America had fighter planes toward the end, Japan won. It was a great example of the benefits of buffing the militaristic civs.
The CS algorithm has the AI back to the old normal. Its worth considering nudging it back up - although as we know, better too low than too high.
The AI remain slow building GWs. Its particularly easy to pick up 2-3 key early ones. This has yet to change, despite all the recent adjustments.
It was unclear where the AI spent its gold. (It probably has less than ever!) Many were broke near the end. They could use a little more science and production at this point. I would tilt toward more science, since this helps keep them competitive militarily as well.
For comparison, I again played Korea on Continents Plus. It was a rare overall dominant victory for me, although Japan edged me out in score. I launched on t286, at which point my 8 cities led in pop with 69M people (3 were captured, 2 were big capitals). They ranged in size from 15 to 35. Needless to say, this was a first.
My science got off to a relatively slow start (low pop), but exploded to heights Ive never approached before: 3553 on t254, and over 4500 before goosing it up to 5200 while timing my last tech and SP. I researched Apollo in 5 turns, and built my last parts in 2 or 3.
America finished second in science with 1212, by which time it had lost 40% of its size. Persia was a powerhouse even with only three cities. AI science is strong enough, given that its population still grows quickly. The other civs didnt favor science.
Increased AI aggressiveness (Aztecs denounced me on t22!) and military power led to more eliminations: two civs out, one reduced to an island, and the others either warring or saved by chokeholds. I puppeted the Japanese onto my continent, let them develop, then bribed them into warring against co-leader America. In a long, medieval/industrial war by which America had fighter planes toward the end, Japan won. It was a great example of the benefits of buffing the militaristic civs.
The CS algorithm has the AI back to the old normal. Its worth considering nudging it back up - although as we know, better too low than too high.
The AI remain slow building GWs. Its particularly easy to pick up 2-3 key early ones. This has yet to change, despite all the recent adjustments.
It was unclear where the AI spent its gold. (It probably has less than ever!) Many were broke near the end. They could use a little more science and production at this point. I would tilt toward more science, since this helps keep them competitive militarily as well.
gold and nothing happened. Granted, my influence with all of them was between 250 and 300 but I still expected more on Emperor. 
militaristic AIs were far behind in techs (right as I finished the UN on turn 342 (epic speed) Cathy entered the Renaissance). The 
science from the patronage policy seems weak. My 16 city state allies gave me ca. 190 
I think giving AIs' capitals a few extra production on higher difficulty could be an alternative solution for wonder competition.
