[Puke]

i notice that most of the AIs in that screenshot are "neutrals". This means they dont expand, and generally dont put up much of a fight.

The stock AI isnt great, but it isnt awful either. in the real game, you can give the AI more of a bonus than in the demo. They will grow faster and expand quicker. Also, you can remove "neutrals"

Its still not going to be great, but whos AI is? and it will certainly be modded into better states. Even Oblivion (a huge game with many awards) is in dire need of "balance-modding"