Playing the game (gal civ)

Read the manual for a good staring point, specifically the "Getting Started" tutorial.

After that, create a new game with one AI at Fool difficulty level on a Medium map. Practice expanding as quickly as possible. Next, add an AI, going from two to five. At that point, start increasing the difficulty levels.

There are a few early tech tree paths that are critical. Weapons Theory -> Phasors get you star Fighters. Defense Theory -> Deflectors gives you the defender. Propulsion Theory -> Cold Fusion -> Impulse Drive gives Transports, required for capturing planets.

For the critical economic path: Communications Theory -> Universal Translator -> Diplomacy -> Trade. Don't forget the other defence techs, or you might be outgunned early on.
[Message Edited]

http://geocities.com/russellmz/

take a look at my faq, too.

Thank you both sigma7 and russellmz2, I appreciate your help. I will try both posts.

Cool...I didn't know you could reduce the number of AI. thanks for the tip, Sigma. Norty, you can do this. I'm doing very well right now in my first game with all AI set to beginner on a medium map. Looks like I'm on my way to a cultural victory, but anything can happen. I'm *not* a strategy gamer in the slightest, so if I can do it, you can.

I've yet to be attacked...heck the AI don't have any warships to speak of, so I have to wonder what you're doing. maybe the AI is too high?

Map size matters a lot. If you like early wars and serious contention over few planets and resources, try small maps. If you're more of a builder and don't want early contact/wars, try large/huge maps. The size and time 'til contact will influence what tech you should be looking at.

Oh, and if you're really at a military disadvantage, *do* consider paying tribute, and in addition, try to get the AIs to fight each other. It may take a considerable amount of money and tech, but they may do much more damage to each other than the bribes are worth, and it can get them off your back.

Thanks to all of the posts. I will try them all. Last game at least the bad guys had to work to kill me.
Thanks again.

To bearcave,
I wish I had your problem, not getting attacked. Like you this is the first game of this type I have played, except for moo3 which I don't play anymore in favor of gal civ. One more question. how can you talk to other players directly through this forum.

Thanks.

The races finally started getting feisty with each other, but it took a long time. Interestingly, it was right about the time everybody started scrambling to make starbases. I let a couple of resources get away from me when I could have nabbed them long before. Unfortunately what I really wanted was an influence boost, but the only two on the map were on the opposite side of the map. No one is coming near me yet.

Anyway, I'm having fun with it. I had a Drengin planet flip to me and have a few others (including the only two Altarian systems) on the verge of it. I'm also plopping some starbases in other Drengin and Arcean sectors. Just switched back into research mode, as I ran out of stuff that was important to build and trying to figure out which way to head. I could head deeper into the diplomatic path or maybe I should grab a military lead. I think I should study the tech tree some...

Good luck