And to comment on an earlier point in the thread. I was in a completely hopeless situation in my first ever game (I subbed). My opponent get a siege on my last province/castle and was going for a domkill. I amused myself by trying to research and alchemize to create an Eater of the Dead. I was then going to try to breakout with my last remaining army. Not sure what would have happened, would have been fun...but I got domkilled the turn before I could make my last stand.
Point is it only took a couple of minutes a day and it was fun...though I would have liked to have had my last battle
.