Short version:

Starting the game in Renaissance or Industrial results in terrible AI performance. Is there a mod which fixes this?

Detail:

I’m playing a game (Immortal) with a Renaissance Era start, and the experience overall is around what I’d imagine it’s like to play at settler level. Among 10 Civs, I got the first Prophet and later founded the world’s first religion 50 or more turns into the game. I don’t think they’ve built a single wonder. I’m easily in the lead in science, and leading for a culture victory. And Diplomacy. With the largest army.

The map I used was True Start Earth with 9 AI and secret societies.

I saw much of the same in another game I began in Industrial, especially for the world wonders aspect. That one was continents, balanced, start standard size.

This is not good. I like the later era start for getting past the early slog, but some competition would be nice.

Does anyone know of a mod which can buck up the AI civs in a later era start?

Edit: I did look on Steam, but nothing I found seemed to fit the bill.