After I play a game for awhile, I tend to make up House Rules for my game: conditions that aren't covered in the game itself. These rules can dramatically alter the strategies the players must use. I'll include some in this thread and hopefully others can come up with something as well. Ideally, these rules are decided upon before play actually begins.
Both players agree to use the same god. Individual minor god choices remain open. No rushing. No God powers can be used. No more than one of each type of building (except for houses and towncenters) may be built. These are just some suggestions to make gameplay more interesting for those that have tired of everyone using "the same old strategy" and crave something new. It can add playability to a game that players have given up on as being too predictable. I encourage others to come up with more variants.
A true pessimist does not declare the glass to be half empty. He states that it has fallen and shattered.