Hello, I'm new to the forum. Just finished Civ III, I did NOT win...
I did not forsee the diplomatic option of winning as such a powerful way of undermining my strategy. I was one of two remaining superpowers with three minor cultures pleading for our favors. The other superpower happened to beat me to the UN wonder by one turn (which I would have aquired myself if the city it was built in hadn't gone into civil disorder behind my back for a turn). I didn't think it was that big a deal and I continued to build my infrastructure so I'd be ready to go to Alpha Centauri before anyone else. Well, one of the little nations rose up after 300 years of peace and destroyed another lesser nation in one turn. The very next turn there was a vote put out for UN secretary general, and it was three votes against one, me. Shock... well, I went back and before the dreaded turn made REAL nice gestures to one of the nations, and after they went from 'polite' to 'gracious', guess what, no call to vote. Hmm... seems I've lots to learn about this game. Well, it's 3 AM and I'm going to die from exhaustion now. Just had to share, more later.
