If you want a game easier at start, but more challenging at the end, I suggest to make one simple change to the AI of the ruleset that you are a using: increase the effect "Gain_AI_Love" for all AI players so they do not hate each other so much.
If using default ruleset, open the file /data/default/ai_effects.ruleset, and add these lines at the end:
Code: Select all
; Lower chance of AI wars
[effect_ai_normal_love]
type = "Gain_AI_Love"
value = 20
reqs =
{ "type", "name", "range"
"AI", "Normal", "Player"
}
[effect_ai_hard_love]
type = "Gain_AI_Love"
value = 30
reqs =
{ "type", "name", "range"
"AI", "Hard", "Player"
}
[effect_ai_cheat_love]
type = "Gain_AI_Love"
value = 40
reqs =
{ "type", "name", "range"
"AI", "Cheating", "Player"
}
If you increase the numeric value, the result is similar to place all the AIs in the same team, joined against the human players.
I have been able to play very challenging games this way.