[PvK]

Ya, the game is not unsophisticated, but the interface and game systems are neither immediately intuitive, nor transparent and simple. (If tax were a direct function of population, _that_ would be unsophisticated.) It just takes some learning to figure things out. Then, almost everything Fryon mentioned is addressed pretty well - he just hasn't found or figured out many things yet.

The AI "level" determines the build bonus. Use Easy if you want to have a good chance as a newbie. I believe "normal" is the non-cheat level, and anything above that gives the AI a bonus.

PvK