Why am I always late and broke???

[VOODOO MEDICINE]

Every time I see a screenshot on the forum I see nuclear wars in 1900 AD or something but I'm building my first tactical nukes in 2200! I also make profit untill 0AD or something and then my treasury just drops!
Sorry bout this newbie question!

ME:die:

 

[Creepster]

It is hard to answer without more facts, but a few things jump to mind.

What is your governmaent? Republic and Democracy help produce much more moeny and reserch? You initially start out as a despot which is not very productive.

How many city improvements do you make? Building libraie, Marketplaces etc. helps your cities produce more money and science.

 

[God]

If you play on chieften or warlord the tech rate is really slow. I've seen people playing on Diety enter the Modern Era as early as 1100 AD.

 

[Sullla]

The speed at which tech moves is almost completely dependent on difficulty. If you aren't getting to nukes until after the 2050 ending point for the game, you are probably playing on Chieftan difficulty where tech moves at a snail's pace. In my first game ever of Civ3 on Chieftan, I won the game in 1950 and hadn't even reached tanks yet! In contrast, the only Deity game I've ever played (and won) ended with me building the UN in 1180AD. That was a result of the insanely fast Deity tech pace.

If you aren't happy with slow progress on the tech tree, it probably would be a good idea to move up a higher difficulty. Building lots of marketplaces and banks is important as well as simply libraries and universities, as they give you more money even at 80% science so you can avoid a deficit. Try founding some more cities on the coast that will bring in lots of commerce from the sea. If you aren't in a republic or democracy, definitely go into them; I prefer republic in most situations. I hope these suggestions prove helpful!

 

[VOODOO MEDICINE]

Lemme see

Since I don't know much bout those governments yet I usually stick with despotism (wich is probably the stupidest can do)

I try to build as many improvements as posible, usually try to work myself to literature as fast as posible to build Great Library, then I just invent what's given first.

But since I don't have any money I can't hurry production, can't raise my science spending and so on.....

 

[VOODOO MEDICINE]

Eeeeeeeh Sullla I'm just a newbie, isn't deity a bit hard then??
I didn't even know the tech tree developes slower in chieftain!!
I think I'll try the next difficulty level then.

 

[Creepster]

"But since I don't have any money I can't hurry production, can't raise my science spending and so on....."

If you are playing with the Despot government then you don't need money to rush the improvements. Take a look at the other threads on pop rushing. This is where you sacrifice population for production. This is not always a good strategy as it creates unhappiness later on in the game.

 

[MuddyOne]

Staying in despotism is your biggest problem. Production of food and shields is limited while in despotism. There are so many factors involved it is hard to give any further advise though. Posting a save game might help people give more precise advise.

 

[akinkhoo]

i go to republic directly once it is available.....
as regent, it usually cost me to lose 1 wonder race....

partly due to rush of tech to republic
means I miss a few tech with wonder.

the cost of the army usually cripple me at republic....
so monarcy is actually better as the extra trade
is not as effective as free unit support!
that is IF i need to expand my military power.

however, I pick republic because in the long run.
it will boost the rate up due to lower corruption.
I wouldn't be changing governemnt until democracy.

after the 1st shock of republic
and money dropping quickly!
I was soon moving ahead of the AIs in tech.
nothing a bit of trade can't do to boost income

the AI is very bias to the player when
selling tech with the newer patches.
I can't take much money out of
them even with superior tech lead