So I really like this game. And I realize the obvious answer to my questions is: "play more."

but outside of that, what are some ways to improve? I'm too competitive to lose at something I do consistently. What are common mistakes you see made? Do you think optimal early-game strategy should be proactive or reactive? How do you all counter early aggression from multiple neighbors?

Well there are many different ways to play but in my opinion understanding the mind of an opponent is crucial. Being able to predict assaults on an outpost and deploying reinforcements there can be a life saver. And if you find yourself in a situation were you cannot win ask for help. Diplomacy can bail you out of any situation. Hope this helps.

Discuss your moves with your allies, and possibly even enemies (after the game), so you can learn from mistakes. Maybe the enemy will say 'I was scared you would do ... because I wouldn't have known how to counter that.'

Also, check out the developer blog, for two matches with daily video commentary from all involved players. Great way to learn some strategies and how different players can think.

Good luck on your match!

Oh and a bit in depth:

con seanery wrote:Do you think optimal early-game strategy should be proactive or reactive?

This can be different with every player. If you get the sense that you can talk with a player in the few hours before the game, maybe you'll have divided the outposts. If you don't get response to your messages, you'll either have to force your way to an outpost, or wait until the game has started 10-20 minutes and see how your opponent tries to expand.

How do you all counter early aggression from multiple neighbors?

Probably not. If they all agreed to take you down, you might not have the outposts to get capacity+production going. I might trying to retreat to one big outpost and see how long I can last with specialist hires.

Also, be aware that if you're the only one to attack early on, you can look like the aggressor and people might partner up to eliminate the threat you're being.

Doing all of the puzzles helped me learn a lot. And i went out of my way to join games with high ranked players and learned a lot from watchig their play. Best advice i think i can give is:
-Try not to develop a lead to early, it'll make you a target and players will gang up on you.
-try to look at your moves from your enemies perspective, how would you attack/defend from their position.
-try not to rely on one strategy or specialist combo too much, its better to play adaptively, also makes you less predictble.

Umpusten made a terrific general beginners guide somewhere with a lot of great advice. maybe someone can link it?

Definitely talk.
The biggest mistake I see people make is to say nothing to people.
I know I almost always ally with the first person to respond to me, because that means two things:
1. They're more open and friendly
2. They're more active as a player
Both of these things make a good ally.
For you, talking to everyone, even people you don't border, is always a good idea. You'll get more info from them, even if they don't explicitly give you any. Ask people things like, "Oh, have you heard from Red yet?" or "Any news on your side of the map?"
People like to feel heard, and the more people like you, the less likely you are to be attacked.

Tactically speaking, check your opponents' profiles to get an idea of who is experienced and who is not. Then, watch what the experienced players do with their specialists and who they attack. You can even ask them for advice upfront, if you want. People are generally welcoming in this game. But a big part of this game's strategy is knowing which specialists go together for big combos.

I personally think that finding one ally and sticking with them is more effective than stabbing that ally in the back. That being said, though, a big part of this game is knowing how to stab players. See, you don't want to look like a jerk, and you don't want to leave your target in a position that they can hit you later in the game. I won't tell you how to do that, though. I have to keep some secrets
If you're the target of a stab, then it's vitally important that you *don't* get mad. In fact, chat happily with your stabber. Be witty, have fun! Firstly, this makes your experience with the game way more enjoyable, and secondly, it makes your opponent like you more. I can tell you firsthand that people will turn on a dime and become your ally if they think you can help them, but they won't do that if they think you have a vendetta against them.

Most importantly, keep experimenting. I've been playing this game for months, but I don't ever play two games the same way. There is no best strategy in this game. Just find one that you enjoy, and then tinker with it endlessly.

Good luck!

Here is a link to Umpustens Post. It is incredibly lengthy, but it has some great stuff in it.
I might recommend watching a few games. I think a lot of it is just getting your bearings- realizing the consequences of allying your self with someone that's a bit seedy or showing a moment of grace by evacuating your borders to show trust.

Anyway, here is the link!
viewtopic.php?t=850

In a 7-10 player game:
Generally, I try to stay 3rd or 4th on the leaderboard in the beginning, EVEN IF I can easily be 1st.
This helps avoid unnecessary attention. Then I try to get people to all attack the person in 1st, which they readily do because they don't want the him to win. Of course, I don't attack him, I just gift my drillers to people who are to make it look like I'm contributing to the effort. Once 1st is not a threat anymore, then you should be about 2nd at this point. Go and attack the next 1st, and if you've timed everything correctly (and of course 'correctly' uses your experience too) you should come out to 1st with not enough people to attack you. I've only used this method in 2 of my games so its liable to faults, but Its worked very well and I've gotten 2 golds in those two 10-player games. (they were both named 'proficient players only (>1 game)')
So how do you actually stay 3rd or 4th at the beginning? And how do you become 1st?
There's no real answer to these, but it partly depends on specialist choice, partly on diplomacy, partly on opening situation. I usually would go for a tycoon right away if I get the chance to, otherwise hypnotists are actually a very good investment. Try to make peace with about 3 of the people around you, talk the everyone, but make yourself sound friendly. Also, if people have resigned TAKE OVER THEIR OUTPOSTS!! This is very good investment as they will help you in the future a lot... Near the endgame, try and get as many generals as you can, if you can, so that you can easily destroy lots of your enemy's drillers with one specialist.