[Noble713]

Research. Yes, AI-AI research trades are both common and low cost. So when you play you are effectively trying to out-tech not just individual nations but all of the most advanced ones. Yes, the AI can charge ridiculous amounts of money for technology. The best way to get around this is to get the AI really friendly to you through resource or tech trades, and the costs will drop considerably.

A strategy that I just recently learned is to set your research level at 0 or 10% for most of the game, and use the money you get to buy tech from the AI. I'm in the modern age now and I have a 700 gold surplus every turn (I play on a huge Earth map, and I had to MOD the corruption levels down to 30% of normal to not have my cities useless). There have been times where I've spent 6000 gold on several technologies in one turn. You jack up your research to 80-90% when there is something you really want (techs that give wonders or good military units). It also doesn't matter much if the AI is ahead of you by a few techs if you're a conqueror (like I am).

The only thing that I REALLY hate is the totally outrageous costs of almost all of the Diplomacy/Espionage missions. The costs are so high that the feature is almost useless. I can usually buy tech from the AI for less money than it would cost to steal it, and there is no guarantee that I'd succeed either.

[ April 28, 2003, 07:15: Message edited by: Noble713 ]