Masochistic? Suicidal? Obscene?

Obviously they make the AI sentient. In preparation for the coming Rise of the Computer Empire. Stardock doesn't actually exist, it's just a bunch of computer AI plotting our destruction.

Seriously, though...there are levels higher than Masochistic? I didn't know that...maybe they're remnants and haven't really been implemented, but weren't removed?

That could be... I guess I'll just have to find out the hard way...

You could try playing on the highest level, but with a blindfold. For added difficulty, put some pirahna fish down your pants, or try having a family member hit you over the head, or blast a horn in your ear. I find all these combined increase the game difficulty to nearly impossible levels, but feel free to experiment

If there are higher levels than masochistic i have not seen them.

AI is doing a very fine job of handing me my butt back in a bun at a large galaxy with 9 opponents thank you...

It is not it's technology or cleverness. economy penalty for player is a bit on the rough side, and bonus for AI is a bit extreme imo. But there is always lower difficulty settings.

im not sure of the specifics but i have seen it listed somewhere. at one of the middle levels all of the upper intelligent stuff is implemented, but then the higher in difficulty you go the better there economy/production get. so at the middle level the economy and production are 100% so equal to us. but next level it goes to 200% so its double (more money, faster building) and then %300 it just keeps increasing. i've seen one of the stardock boys post the info somewhere on the board here, just dont know where.