[Baalz]

Yeah, I don't know about an alliance until the very end, I'm more inclined to ally until our alliance is almost certainly going to win (in my opinion), declare moral victory, then with plenty of warning start fighting my former ally for the win (hopefully with the help of some of the less powerful nations...keep then in and having fun). Not so much a cut throat attitude, just seems like actually going through the motions of conquering every territory with no real challenge, THEN starting the real end game would be more tedium than fun for everybody. I'd much rather lose a close game than win a shutout...