T-hawk Wrote:...
Perhaps that's a clue that the currently active members of the community don't want difficult games? Maybe we want games with the label and appearance of difficulty, but that turn out easily winnable (Winter Wasteland, The Gauntlet) so we can feel good about ourselves?
For me, the challenge is the only reason I am still playing this game. (Although at this rate I'll finish at the same time as the Demogame gets to Classical era
) The reason I am not enthusiastic about these events now is that it's hard for me to be enthusiastic about a game I've played well over a dozen time. And I would guess many others share the same attitude. So you'll see the activity pick back up with release of Civ 5.
(Assuming the experience there is sufficiently different.)
Going back to an earlier discussion, I think diplomacy in CIV is less random than people think. It might be very chaotic (small changes in player actions lead to large changes in outcome), but it's not very random. Some people always complain about their games being love-fests with all wars involving the human. Others see constant fighting and get dogpiled frequently. Since this tends to happen to the same people, it might be benefitial to try to figure out the differences in playing style that lead to these differences in outcome.
One difference I can think of the the effort player puts into appeasement. In situations like the one in this scenario, I give in to all demands and make AIs can't make demands I can't honor. (e.g. never researching or buying Theology in game where we weren't allowed to convert to Theocracy.) In this game, I didn't open borders with Darius until he stopped being disliked by most of my direct neighbors.
Another difference is the overall troop level. I didn't disband any archers in this scenario, but my SoD was always under two dozen units. So while I didn't look too weak, my power level wasn't enough to trigger an arms race. (I noticed that when one of the empires shoots up on the power graph, the rest of AIs ramp up military production to catch up. And once they have lots of units sitting around, they are more likely to use them.)
Finally, some AIs declare war whenever they see a tactical opportunity. (Unprotected worker on the border, poorly protected border city, etc.)
What about the people who suffered a dogpile? What were your diplomatic moves, power levels, and border situation?
! Presumably bribed by Catherine though. Monty was actually the last to attack you 
.