Some advice on setting up simulations?

[novice]

I also usually just keep a sandbox for the first 50 or so turns. I do keep contacts and techs in sync, by boxing in the AIs behind peaks and establishing contacts and opponent techs on the relevant turns. This can also be used for C&D, if your GNP doesn't match your opponents in-game might have different techs from what they do in the sandbox.

[spacetyrantxenu]

You can easily edit what techs the AIs have in the world builder so that once you do make contact with them you can have correct information regarding known tech bonuses for your sandbox beaker counting.