Q1 2010

then we are probably talking 2-3000 eco surplus, at least with current rules.

I think he also annexed some minor areas and built underwater stuff. He had like 7-8k eco a turn surplus.

In one example, he bought 100 or so air forces in one turn, and deliberately overstated the expenses by a factor of 10 to secretly build nukes (which was allowed at the time).

McHrozni

That's like 80 civilian factories...hmm.

I'm back !

There was no corporate state back then. Also, I think you could upgrade IL as often as you wanted. Funny thing is, since no one was really enemies w/ the Pitcairns (@ first), no one opposed the massive buildup.

Papua New Guinea (PNG) also had a ridiculous surplus. It is still playable in the current rule-set, but most of the events that got it to where it was couldn't happen w/ the current BO rules.

Also, the Ukraine took over Moldovia, Hungary, Belarus, Poland and parts of Romania.

2 rounds later I played Indonesia. I had 20,000 eco stockpiled and I planned to dominate the world markets, since I had little other use for it. Game ended, though.

Can we cut to the chase and get some real drama going? I want to see someone go schizoid.

We can blame guru for that. He simply made US too powerful, but the same time weakened US potential enemies.

Quite frankly, I'd say the US was just right this round. I'd pin it on....
1. Player inactivity. It's a lot easier to be the "Strongman" w/ only 12 people.
2. Iran went down the tubes really early.
3. No one did anything really stupid. Everyone acted in their own rational self-interest.
4. No major wars/conflicts; low oil, mileq prices. Also, Al Gore. I would have killed him off around 2002-2004, to have either Lieberman or some Republican (insert mandatory joke here) run the place.
5. China is totally nerfed. China starts off pretty strong, but is pretty much a growth-resistant nation. Also, India blows too.
5.

Lieberman will be president in about six Q's

I actually completely agree with all of this, especially about China. But the US was perfect this round, and Bodvar is generally speaking one of the most economically potent players in intpol. Nothing should be messed with the US stats; if you look at the US oil deficits, even with 2 oceanic powerstations........ it's insane (nearly 750 oil deficit).