Mismatched

Probably the Random Number Generator just screwed your fleet. Sometimes luck is in your favor and sometimes it isn't.

In my second ever game of GalCiv I out settled all the other civs on Normal. Granted I have come to this game from Civ4 so some things make sense, but if I can do it so can you. Personnally, I am really happy there are lots of levels ahead to provide a challenge. It is so hard to find a game that is challenging, so I am really happy to know that I have that to look forward to when playing GC.

I am playing my second game (on Normal - first was on Beginner for a few years to learn GC). I have never played Gal Civ before although I have played Civ4 a bunch lately. I am crushing everyone. I realize that Normal is still down the list a ways, but I don't think I should have an easy time in my second ever game. I am starting a new game on a harder level and I hope I get slaughtered for a while until I understand all the mechanics.

Civ4 does not play this way. Sure, the AIs will gang up on you if you show weakness, but it is not the default end game. I would absolutely not want to play a game that worked that way either. Now if occassionally an AI that was getting beat decided to attack in their effort to win, that would be ok. But no mass attacks. Also, would the AIs do this to each other too if one of them was winning? Even if I stand a chance of holding everyone off, there is no AI written that does.

I would also agree. I would much prefer an understandable and reproducable economics system where production and research are separated. This would also allow us to specialize planets where it makes sense to do so.