Does the AI cheat?

[Wild Raven]

Started a free scenario with one AI opponent to get a feel for the game again, and noticed he was absolutely demolishing me with just a small connection with two trains even with the easy handicap (player +20% and AI -10%). I had a track that was a bit longer, no turns and two trains but every cycle he was leaps and bounds above my income.

I was the first to expand out and get more cities with needed supply and demand loops and still, he trucks along with his small loop and pulls further ahead.

I didnt win the scenario but kept playing trying to figure out if i just suck or the AI doesnt play by the same rules (or both). My tracks and trains were set up with way more efficiency (especially tracks, the AI was doing some weird stuff) and i was making plenty of big runs but no matter what it was always millions ahead of me.

All simple mode btw, this test run kinda scared me off from playing with any complexities or difficulties for fear of losing by means i dont understand (especially with the stock markets). I wasnt expecting the AI to roll over for me but to smoke me that badly on easy made me feel like a scrub again.

So is it just me? Do i have to have some kind of laser focus meta micro management or is the AI playin me with its Hax powers?

Also any tips or wisdom's would be appreciated. I get the basics of the game but there is alot more depth than i thought.

[wickliffce02]

Yes the computer cheats because it uses a simplified cargo demand model that complete ignores matching industies. The A.I. invariably fails in the long run because its rail network becomes overbuilt and congested. The computer never replaces locomotives unless they explode which means a previously profitable route could grind to a stand still.