[Slick]

There are multi-turn diplomatic agreements that I'm very skeptical could be handled in the data files. For instance, how would you have the AI respond to "get your ships out of system xxxx" or "help me against yyy empire". Sure for the second one, the AI could just declare war on yyy empire, but actual help would mean a coordinated emphasis on attacking yyy and protecting my empire's assets. In the first example, the AI, even if he agrees which has never been observed, is just as likely to turn right back around and re-enter the system. Upholding these diplomatic agreements long term looks bleak to me.

I sure hope this is moddable because there is no evidence of such depth in the demo. I could never foresee a good reason where, for example, both empires in a treaty would want to agree that neither could perform research. I can't see why it is even an option, but some AI's want it. One of the basics of SE is staying up with technology and it seems that the AI isn't aware of this need. I'm hoping that they don't agree amongst themselves not to research anything. The AI is easy enough as it is.

There should be some absolutes for the AI in a 4X game. And those are the 4 X's, long term. Yes, it may be advantageous right now for us to have a treaty or alliance, but, unless allied victories are the goal, at some point, I'm breaking the treaty and kicking your butt because I want to win. And so should the AI; long term. The victory conditions set should guide the AI behavior on long term strategy in the game. The balance between long term goals and short term goals, which may conflict, seems to be non-existent.

I'll wait and see what any mods produce in this area.