Poll #2. [Try out the demo, and vote after that!]

[Daynarr]

I usually play with independent strength of 9, but its not exactly a good idea for demo since games wont be nearly finished by the time you each 40 turns. Also playing in RICH medium and small maps helps AI's too and normal richness for large maps. In my games AI’s takes all mercs and I have to fight for them. Also, playing against 3-4 AI's and against 16 is quite different too. I warmly recommend playing with 9 independent strength, normal richness, all AI's and very slow research on largest maps (once you get full game). You will notice how some AI's will have bad development due to bad luck or wars, while others will grow rapidly and wipe out weak ones. Usually, after 100 turns, there are 2-3 strong AI's left to fight with you and none of them will be easy pickings by then.
Sometimes you will be having bad luck and tag-teamed by AI’s or get bad event at the start that will really hurt you. I’ve had games sometimes that I had to restart early because of tag-team wars.