what really pisses me off is that they probably had a chunk of multiplayer done when they released it...
check out the jackal.txt, here's some clips below:
#NET_LOBBY_PASSWORD_QUERY
#xs 320
#caption Set password?
Yes
No
#NET_LOBBY_INPUT_PASSWORD
#xs 320
#caption Enter session password
#NETCONNECT_CREATE
#xs 320
#caption Host Multiplayer Game
#editbox
#itemlist
Enter game name:
Enter your name:
##Optional password:
#NETCONNECT_JOIN
#xs 320
#caption Join Multiplayer Game
#itemlist
Enter your name:
#NETCONNECT_NEED_SESSION
#xs 320
#caption NOTICE
^^Game name required. Please try again.
#NETCONNECT_NEED_PLAYER
#xs 320
#caption NOTICE
^^Player name required. Please try again.
#NETCONNECT_MAX_PLAYERS
#xs 200
#caption Create Multiplayer Game
^^Choose number of players allowed
#NETCONNECT_PASSWORD_SET
#xs 320
#caption NOTICE
^^Password protection has been set.
#NETCONNECT_SESSION_NOT_FOUND
#xs 320
#caption Game Not Found
#button Try Again
No game was found.
#NETCONNECT_SESSIONS
#xs 440
#caption Pick Game to Join
#button Refresh
#NETCONNECT_JOIN_OR_CREATE
#xs 320
#caption Host or Join Session
Would you like to host a new game or join an existing one?
Host
Join
#SELECTSERVICE
#xs 320
#caption MultiPlayer Setup
Select a service...
#CLIENTOLDERVERSION
#xs 320
#caption Version Incompatibility
Sorry, but the host's version of the game ($HOSTVERSION0) is newer than your version ($CLIENTVERSION1). You may upgrade
your version at $LINK<
www.firaxis.com:0>.
#CLIENTNEWERVERSION
#xs 320
#caption Version Incompatibility
Sorry, but the host's version of the game is older than your version and incompatible. In order to connect, this
session's host will need to upgrade the game.
#GUARANTEEDFAILURE
#xs 320
#caption Guaranteed Message Failure
#button Retry
#button Continue Game Solo
#button Quit Game
An attempt to send a message to $PLAYERNAME0 has failed.
#FILEWIN_ILLEGALCHAR
#xs 320
#caption WARNING
The filename you have requested contains illegal characters. Please try again.
#NET_SENDTIMEDOUT
#xs 440
#caption SEND MESSAGE TIME EXPIRED
A message has failed to be transmitted to the following players: $PLAYERNAMES0.
This may be a temporary condition, but it could also indicate that
the network connection has been permanently lost.
How would you like this error to be handled?
Try again for 20 seconds.
Drop from session but continue the game solo.
Exit game.
Skip this message (potentially fatal).
#NET_OKTODROPHOST
#xs 440
#caption PLAYER NOT RESPONDING
Host $PLAYERNAME0 is not responding. This may be a temporary
condition, but it could also indicate the network connection has been
permanently lost. You may (a) attempt to reestablish the connection
(b) drop the host and continue without him, (c) drop him and save the
game to finish in a new session.
Drop host and become host.
Don't drop host.
Don't drop host, and adjust tolerance.
#NET_OKTODROPCLIENT
#xs 440
#caption PLAYER NOT RESPONDING
Player $PLAYERNAME0 is not responding. This may be a temporary
condition, but it could also indicate the network connection has been
permanently lost. You may (a) attempt to reestablish the connection,
(b) drop the player and continue without him, or (c) drop him and
save the game to finish in a new session.
Drop $PLAYERNAME0.
Don't drop $PLAYERNAME0.
Don't drop $PLAYERNAME0, and adjust tolerance.
#NET_OKTODROPHOSTS
#xs 320
#caption PLAYER NOT RESPONDING
Host $PLAYERNAME0 and the potential next host, $PLAYERNAME1, are not responding.
This may be a temporary condition, but it could also indicate the
network connection has been permanently lost.
End net game.
Continue attempting to play.
Continue attempting to play, and adjust tolerance.
#NET_ADJUSTTOLERANCE
#xs 320
#caption ADJUST DROP TOLERANCE
Select desired drop tolerance.
and stuff...
looks pretty extensive...
), but I was wondering if there were any plans for a Multiplayer patch/expansion for Civ III within the next... oh, year? Beating up on a computer that cheats and doesn't use artillery is a tad repetitive. 
SMAC doesn't deal with the race TO Alpha Centauri, just the race ON Alpha Centauri.
