More Data ! ...  and some Interesting Discussions ... Thanks, Guys    

The Distribution so far:

     Novice                 0

       Beginner             0

       Easy                     3

       Normal                 7

       Challenging        10

       Hard                       7

       Expert                   3

       Ridiculous             1

       Insane                   4

Considering the first 51 replies so far:  (after subtracting the two Banner Ads, and multiple replies by single individuals), we essentially have 35 responses up to this point.  Many of the respondents noted that they either have played, or still play, at multiple levels.  For the purpose of assembling the distribution shown above, I settled on one level for each person, typically either: the highest level they played, or the highest level they won, or the highest level that they enjoyed -- whichever seemed most appropriate.  (Obviously, my assumptions are subjective; and this still is not a scientific survey.)  What is remarkable though (excluding for a moment the one vote at the Ridiculous level, and the 4 outliers at the Insane level) is how we basically continue to have a very tidy "bell curve" centered on the Challenging level. 

Challenging is considered to be the best AI, which doesn't resort to cheating.  Under the circumstances, I think the game developers have reason to be pretty happy with the bulk of this distribution.  As for the outliers, well ... Good for them !   

Continuing Discussions:  One of the discussions that interested me focused on the research, enchantment, and gameplay strategies that players might use during the first 50 turns or so, to optimize their initial gameplay.  (See replies #33 (Kongdej); #45 (StillSingle); and #51 (Droghar).)  I think we all recognize that the starting set-up, and the early turns in a 4X game, can make a huge difference in how the balance of the game plays out.  IMO, Kongdej made some good recommendations in that regard;  BUT he suggested that a "very rigid" and consistent pattern would always (or usually) be optimal.  StillSingle and Droghar took some exception to this view. 

For my part, I tend to agree these two guys.  I am happy to believe (in my innocence) that there is no single pattern of choices that is always going to be optimal.  Quickly casting "Inspiration" and "Enchanted Hammers" on your first settlement MAY often be a good idea.  Researching the first 3 or 4 Civilization advances (and "Shard Harvesting" from the Magic column) before tackling any other research advances MAY often be a good idea.  Training your first pioneer immediately MAY often be a good idea.  Setting your Tax rate to zero during the first 20-50 turns MAY often be a good idea.  Concentrating on buying several champions in the early turns MAY often be a good idea.   AND concentrating on leveling up your Sovereign in the early turns MAY often be a good idea.  

BUT, bottom line, there is no single, rigid, course of action that is always going to be optimal.  People will have their favorite approaches; different factions (and custom Sovereigns) will suggest different approaches; and the level of difficulty played upon, will permit different approaches.  There are still lots of meaningful choices, and viable alternative styles of play, to experience in E:FE.       Comments? ... other views? ... suggestions ?? 

Good points here.  Also predicated on having some lvl 5 champs around and available to buy up   I've had a couple of games where champions have either been lvl 1,3 or 9.......  nice fat gap in the lvl distribution

Come to think of it, the free champion purchase perk is awesome  

Orion, what you describe is the ideal--that there are many choices that MAY be a good idea depending on the circumstances.  I'm sad to say that I just don't agree with you.  The circumstances just don't change that much.

The reality is that there are many different strategies that you CAN use to win, but I doubt there are more than a couple that can be considered optimal strategies.  

There is not enough variation in strategic circumstances to give rise to a variety of optimal strategies at present.  Early game is pretty much the same early game on every start.  The only variety of strategies we have at our disposal are inherent in our sovereign/faction starting characteristics.  It is these characteristics that determine a single optimal starting strategy for that particular trait set.

What I would love to see more of is the environment (through resources and monsters) determining what an optimal strategy should be.  At the moment resources play a very small role in influencing strategy.

What could also add further to the strategic experience is making treasure influential on strategy as well.  This could only work if there was more balance in the random loot acquired (maybe determine quality of loot by Sovereign/Champion level).  A change like this would also urge you to alter your strategy to maximise the benefit an item gives you.

All these arguments all boil down to the same suggestion I made a while ago though--the game needs to be more "rock, paper, scissors"-like in order to give rise to complex strategy.  There should be strong counters in all aspects of the game (not just combat) to provide for a strategic immersive experience.

Yes, I'd agree with everything you have just said.  I like playing the game competitively rather than casually so i am very interested in high level viable strategies, which usually means high level optimal strategies in order to actually win.  I am sure Beta 4 is going to involve a whole lot of new content, including a brand new city resource they have already hinted at, so hopefully we'll get closer to a diverse game for all!

I play on hard.  Tried two games on Challenging at .915 launch, but found myself prolonging the game unnecessarily just to explore endgame content.  On hard I either steamroll or screw up and die relatively early 50% of the time and have a good challenging game 50% of the time.  

I planned on going up a level, but life got in the way and I haven't played recently.

I've been trying to beat the AI on insane with a particular custom strategy.  It's difficult.  I managed it on ridiculous without much difficulty.  I suspect with some refinement, insane will fall into line.

Normal with dense monsters.

Challenging.  I try hard not to exploit AI stupidity to make it fair.

Challenging, huge maps (mod) with a couple dozen AIs. Unfortunately my own I is not equal to the A's and I always lose. Love the game and can't wait for the expansion!