Re: Scorched earth
 

The devs could take a hint from civ and add client states to the game. If you are at war with someone and losing bad (say 1/2 income and 1/2 gem income and 1/2 army size, as a rough factor), then you get an option to surrender. If you do, your dominion disappears from all but your capital, you territory counts as your opponents, you pay a percentage tribute in money and gems (random gems every turn), and then you can fight on with your new ally.

That's just a rough sketch, but I think it would give an option to going AI and scorched earth. It also allows players to play to the bitter end.

-Jeff

Re: Scorched earth
 

Possibly. But then, you could just offer some of your gold and gems to someone every turn and fight on as a client state anyway - you don't need a specific game mechanic to from the developers to do that.