In fact, one of the biggest secrets is how to AVOID winning so you can
boost your score. And of course, how to know WHEN winning (ending the
game) will give you the best score - some of the top players routinely
play their endgame repeatedly to find out if winning a few turns later
or earlier gives them the better score.
Which is exactly why i'm always looking for an alternate path to a deterministic Victory condition; nothing bothers me more than nearing a FINAL tally only to realize i could have spiced up my results by playing ***just*** a few more turns.
Declaring a carefully planned war to prevent Alliance victory is a given trick... but Influence is another kinky puzzle to solve at times. It's funny how Planets flipping or Mor/Inf boosting by building key-Achievement stuff can suddenly peek a percentage waaaaay above some kind of control or even, a simple reverting possibility.
Conquest is deceivingly obvious; Destroy. Finished.
But, Techno is much more satisfying since it matters much that all
other conditions must be prevented in order to obtain IT. Spoon feeding Allies, maintaining territorial effects under the limit, defending assets while watching enemy's progress towards THEIR own attempt(s) at some Victory condition.
I find that i still CAN play (in many kind of games) as long as i wish --IF-- my strategy and tactics are precisely adapted to specific situations. Although, it takes monitoring skills and rapid reaction. Besides, i could always tick the necessary options upon setting it all up while either allowing the fun/sad effects of Mega-Events if that's what i decide to do.
(PS; But there was one occasion last week where i wished Mega-Events had been turned off right from the start! Darn Pirates got to my thick skull and performed a galactic maintenance so harsh by destroying EVERY last ships in orbit(s) that i had no choice but to abandon outa desperation. Went from top-notch fleets, solid network of Starbases to total emptiness in a matter of 20 turns!! The Void, all of that work over years of slick designing felt completely useless. Bof - start another game, i said.)