New---How do I make enough money to go on.

sell techs for $ (BC/month) to the AIs (this is very lucrative on lower difficulties).
build freighter and trade with the AI's
build starbases and add the trade bonuses
be nice to everyone (by giving techs) so they will trade with you
start off with a + to economics.

i iz a bit dim, but the first one is what got me through in the old dayz....

Thank, Evil Steve.
You've helped a lot
Godspeed,
ladyterry

no worries ladyterry - when u iz up to speed, come over and check da h'empire thread. maybe u iz joinin' one?

Trade techs with the minors because you get much better deals.

Early on, the majors will trade freighters for techs.

By right clicking on a freighter name in the trade list, you can see if the freighter is near an alien world. Choose freighters that are closest to alien worlds so that they will arrive in a only a few turns. That way you start routes sooner and collect trade faster.

Are you trying to rush build social improvement or ships? Because it generally a bad idea. If you want to be able to produce faster thing you can:
- raise spending rate (F4 screen). Try not to drop below -500BC since all spending will be cut in this case.
- Change spending ratio (by default it is 33% on military, social and research). If you want to spend some turns to produce fastly colony ships, you should set military to 100% and social and reserach to 0%
- Change to a better governement. The key tech are Diplomacy, Star democracy and star federation. When you research this tech, you will have a message proposing you to change your governement. But when you get them by trad with an AI, you don't have this popup. SO you must go to the F4 screen, governement tab and choose the new governement

Hope this help

Also, be careful what you colonise. Low quality planets (especially Planet Quality 13 and below) drain your money constantly. Higher quality planets cost you money too, especially if you build a lot of social improvements, but at least they provide a decent return on your investment.

You can raise your tax rate.

The best tax rate is when your planets moral is at 100%

Increase your taxes watch your moral only drop the taxes if the moral drops too much.

There is a link between population growth and morale, as explained here http://www.galciv.com/forum.asp?BID=GS&id=155077#186188
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There has been some great advice given here, I'll only emphasize the importance of the spending sliders. When I first learned that I could move these babies, I soon discovered that I could produce things much quicker (whether ships, improvements, or techs). However, I soon saw myself going bankrupt really quickly. There is a delicate dance you'll learn to use in order to balance spending and growth of economy in the first 20 to 40 turns. Also, in reference to the diplomatic screen (the one where you can trade things with the other empires), observe the color of the other races text. If the text is yellow, they will not accept the trade (add another tech or some money), if it is green, they will accept the trade.

Thanks all. you've given me alot to play with.
I do like to win but I want to know why I lose. And now I know some of the reasons besides me.
Had 61st birthday and this was one of my presents to myself. So, it does mean a lot to me. Thank you all again and I'm certain I'll be visiting the fan forums. Godspeed, ladyterry

Happy birthday to you! And it is great to see new players with such great intrest in the game.

As tax rate, I try to keep mine where my moral is around 84-90%. I know I don't benefit from the 100% population growth, but I can do with out. Later in the game I do end up at 100%, but I usually don't adjust the tax rate much then eiher.

For Honor and Justice!!

Thank you all very much. I'm still playing ---maybe losing--but learning a lot about the game. I am having a lot of fun.
Godspeed,
Ladyterry

Keep playing, all the advice in the world can only show you how to adapt the various functions of the game to your playing style. If you still get stuck, and are at your wits end, don't shelve the game!!! As you can see, there are a lot of "vet's" that are only too happy to help you figure it out. Once you get comfortable with the community (and to enhance your fun of the forums and the game itself) check out the empire tab on the left of the forum page. Joining an empire is something I wish I had done sooner in my playing "career". Lots of bonus features and forums and strategies Etc. are avialable when you join an empire. Although I am partial to the Galactic Guardians and recommend them, I encourage you to scan the "Empire Links" sticky and even pop into some of the empire threads. It'll give you an idea of the kind of folks in that particular empire.

Again, have fun with the game and if you get stuck, ask for help...you're sure to get it!

ladyterry Happy birthday and yes it is great to see new players excited about Galciv. Chipperoo pretty much sums it up. There are a lot of Empires to join.. If your a sci-fi nut you might want to consider Star Fleet Empire Lead by Admiral J.T. Qwerk. http://www.galciv.com/metaverse/empires.asp?id=707 even if your not into Sci-fi Star Fleet is still a great Empire to join.

Make a point to stop in at NeoTech Network http://www.neotechgaming.com website we are one of several fansites that support Galciv. We support other games and a good selection of discussion forums.
[Message Edited]

Wow. Thanks to
you all, I won my first game (at cakewalk). I had an overall score of 17006---was I surprised!
I don't know what that means but it was a cultural victory. I'm still learning the game and it is a v

ery good one. Thank you again! Godspeed,
Ladyterry

Congradulations LadyTerry on winning your first game, it feels good to win doesn't? I know I didn't offer any help to you ealier, but I just noticed your post and wanted to congadulate you on your win! (BTW That seems like a very high score for cakewalk level, but noneless good victory!)

Its pretty much for an cakewalk, and also for an cultural one.

Congrats

Congratulations, LadyTerry. I am sure you learned a lot on your first victory and the previous attemps to reach that first victory. A lot of experienced people have written up their experiences and recommendations for strategies at the various levels. You can check them out by clicking on the strategies button to the left. You will also find that the Empires often have their own set of strategies to match their focus of play. All are generally available to read. Just ask.

Want to learn more about the Guardians? http://www.galciv.com/metaverse/empires.asp?id=735