I don't think AI did cheat in the game at all, except the initial research and treasure (never been able to test, since Esp to advanced happen later at the time) to begin with. The situation happen to seen cheating by AI are happen to what we called a micro control method, which is essential to the harder mode gaming, things such as changing resource ratios apply to each turn and building (or ideal buy) a infrastructure are also key to the victory. Often time, for the AI with harder mode are initial their resource ratio to a more RES and SOC rather than MIL. which give them a boost in the ranking and technology benefit. But remember, getting a MIL boost is important, acquire overal 1st ranking mean, they don't dare to touch you in a while, and tributes frequencies increase and later time those factor are important to negotiate when opposition request a peace treat. (money? IP? non hostile teachnology? you name it, you got it!) After all, I haven't seen any behavior by AI consider cheat to me, but initial teachnology maybe a concern, but it can be less hassle, if you get you Universal translator early as possible, then we can trade for some teachnology which we believe is a ideal trade of, or ideal buy. (I remember I used to see a situation of tiny map with rare HP, and 10 race game, and with ownership reveal there is no chance to acquire any planet in away region, then I don't build ship, but those normal opposite still build 2 to 3 colony, and guess what, we end up having alot of colony ship in the tiny mode, and funnier seen to me is that, they don't even bother upgrade the ship, and take advantage of situation, but rather return the colony ship to their planet after failure of colony invasion.) maybe the AI play in my computer is stupidier than normal computer, but I haven't seen anything unusual which I may consider a cheat, but a AI cheat doesn't mean it is unfair, after all, a harder mode in most of the RTS mean AI cheat! it is quite unusal for a excellent AI build up instead of a one big rush done by other RTS, then died down, after all, I think, this AI make galciv2 worthy of buying and more enjoyable!
