Or as I'd call it, AI Diplomacy+.
I'm pretty sure that I've at least mentioned this in threads here and there, but I don't think I ever created a topic to discuss it. Anyway, I've had an idea for some time to expand what players can do in in AI Diplo games, more options for communication. But first, here's what I understand about the reasons for the current AI Diplomacy rules:
1) Minimal diplomacy puts more emphasis on player skill to determine the outcome of the game.
2) Saves players from having to spend hours writing diplomatic emails.
Both are good reasons, and I'm betting #1 is particularly important to players here. So, my idea. Basically, players would be allowed to use agreed-upon stock phrases through the in-game diplomacy window. Some examples could be "declare war on civ_x" or "stop trading with civ_x." I'm thinking mostly things that a player can say to an AI in an SP game. An immediate flaw I see with this is that these are non-binding requests, so offering someone 100 gp to stop trading with civ_x means they could take your money and not follow-through. Another potential flaw is that it may make the process of making a deal take several turns longer if there's much back-and-forth.
Of course I should mention what I see as the benefits. I recall reading in several MP games here where players lament that other players continue to trade with the #1 civ, or that there's going to be a runaway rival who can only be stopped by a dogpile. And, personally, I just like the idea of being able to have a little more robust diplomacy in an empire-building game.
So I'd just like to hear from some other people if you think there's any merit to this idea if refined further, or if the cons simply outweigh any pros.
I'm pretty sure that I've at least mentioned this in threads here and there, but I don't think I ever created a topic to discuss it. Anyway, I've had an idea for some time to expand what players can do in in AI Diplo games, more options for communication. But first, here's what I understand about the reasons for the current AI Diplomacy rules:
1) Minimal diplomacy puts more emphasis on player skill to determine the outcome of the game.
2) Saves players from having to spend hours writing diplomatic emails.
Both are good reasons, and I'm betting #1 is particularly important to players here. So, my idea. Basically, players would be allowed to use agreed-upon stock phrases through the in-game diplomacy window. Some examples could be "declare war on civ_x" or "stop trading with civ_x." I'm thinking mostly things that a player can say to an AI in an SP game. An immediate flaw I see with this is that these are non-binding requests, so offering someone 100 gp to stop trading with civ_x means they could take your money and not follow-through. Another potential flaw is that it may make the process of making a deal take several turns longer if there's much back-and-forth.
Of course I should mention what I see as the benefits. I recall reading in several MP games here where players lament that other players continue to trade with the #1 civ, or that there's going to be a runaway rival who can only be stopped by a dogpile. And, personally, I just like the idea of being able to have a little more robust diplomacy in an empire-building game.
So I'd just like to hear from some other people if you think there's any merit to this idea if refined further, or if the cons simply outweigh any pros.
I'm just doing my best out here.
landed me on the bottom side of a dogpile ... I did like the system, and would go for it again if I ever play another game. It isn't a bad thing that negotiations take several turns to work out, if you're in a hurry just offer a sweeter deal so the other party will accept quicker 
