Why oh why did you wait so long for the first Japanese war, and why didn't you take out their access to metals whatever the cost?

The Pyramids have already been mentioned, but what was the Sistine Chapel all about, apart from a huge waste of production? Culture, at that point???

Was there ANY discussion of what cities should prioritise GP's, commerce, production, wonders or military, cause I can't find any? We put little signs up all over the place so idiots like me couldn't get it wrong and start building inappropriate things.

Where were the arguments? Did I miss them? Lots of cosy backslapping is all well and good, but if you are going to go for any sort of directional policy you must be prepared to take flak from your own side before the enemy has a go because they will not be so tender. Of course, one must never get personal or derogatory or any of that malarky. But argument CAN be good.

Was the democratic system at all to blame, or was the despotic model more efficient? Was there, in the end, little to choose between them? (I have no idea, just asking)

Did we give too much away in the trash talk thread or were we (given that we could "see" everything) terribly clever? Again, I have no idea, but I suspect we gave away more than we meant to. But then in psy-ops, the loops intertwine interminably.....

Well I can't really comment on the early game of course as I wasn't there, but didn't the first Alphan-Japanese war start pretty early? That has been the source of some of the other comments post game hasn't it. If you mean the second war though, then refer to point 1 in my last post.

I am pretty sure that taking their metal out, permanently, wasn't really an option though as it was deep within their territory to the north. I'm not 100% on that and I'm willing for a screenshot to prove me wrong.

Yes this was also one of the practicalities but I didn't bother giving all the details.

That was my point. It was a comment on general gameplay balance as apposed to one on particular achievements during this game. In any game like this one, espionage wise, you're starting perched on a fence and as soon as that thing is built and a GS is born it falls very heavily in favour of the side that built it. I don't think that is a brilliant balance for the game. I can see a potential specialist comeback but its a sizeable hit to have to take just to respond to a wonder. That particular ability of the great spy is surely too powerful. Variable points, scaling with the current era, may be a good alternative.

In the context of the Alpha/Omega game I quite agree. I think if you are fighting numerous AI and you get a Great Spy it is not always  so obvious how you should use him, or who the target should be. In our game, of course, there was no doubt. So, yes, something that should be considered for future updates.

As far as the next game goes, IF we have three teams the position will be far more unclear, and even the fact of building the Great Wall itself may provoke unity amongst the rivals so, hopefully, it won't prove such a massive factor.

At least we all equally understand its potential. And as a small bonus it keeps the barbs out