Usually by killing everyone and taking their assets. Some games have specific goals - most level whatever planets or alien planets taken. The other players/corp can concede a game also.

               / Promethius / Enigma / Wolfen /

"A man who has no skills can be taught, a man who has no honor has nothing."

Well it seems these days most want a win handed to them with the bang of the game. Best way I know is to get in and play it though. Whiners will be loosers.

Some games are over that fast. Subzero edits spring to mind.
Low turn games last longer, but the same result will follow- it is the person/corp who works hardest and smartest.

Pretty much as said above, I recently logged into a game that was one day old and saw a few solo players and one corp with 5 players in it, I bailed out, no sense trying to play out-numbered like that. HOWEVER, that being said, Best bet is to get into a game from the very beginning (from the initial bang) then try to team up with someone, I have even made a good friend or two from doing so. BUT that is me, I am into the social aspects of the game more than I am into winning (or losing). There are as many styles of play as there are players. Some players don't care about anything BUT winning, others (like myself) are more easy going. ALSO, the player (team) with the best tools will usually win. This means the best scripts or ability to write scripts. SAD, since I remember when there was no such thing but true nonetheless.