[Talenn]

Phoenix-D:

Its not a question of enforcing a 'no backstabbing' deal. Its a question of whether or not the AI is even WORKING with regards to it's diplomacy.

Tell me, what is the point of having all of these options available and have none of them actually do anything? All it does it give the impression that either that game is bugged, or that taking the time to use the diplomacy feature is a waste of time. To your average single player SE4 player, its a detriment to the game, not a benefit.

I would have no qualm at all with the AI if it simply refused your offers and demands, but when it agrees to a request, it should happen. Its the same as if it agreed to a Trade Agreements, but you never collect any money from it...whats the point of having the feature if it doesnt work?

With regards to HUMAN players, I agree that anything should go. They are free to do as they please with one (IMO, important) exception: If there is a diplomatic 'hit' for refusing an AI demand, the human player should suffer it if they dont follow through on an agreement with the AI. Nothing is sillier than having an AI player demanding that you break a treaty with another and having the player AGREE to the deal, get diplomatic points with that race for agreeing, and then not doing it (and suffering no reprecussions). This is just plain exploitation of the diplomacy system and should be removed IMO.

Let me try and quantify it:

Lets say that relations between Human Empire 'X' and AI Empire 'Y' are at 100 points (number picked out of the air for point of example). Ok, now lets say that when the number gets to say, 50, the AI will break Trade off with the player, and at 30, it will declare war. Now lets assume that when the AI makes a 'demand' that agreeing to it gives you, say, 10 points and refusing takes away 20.

Using that basis, the AI demands that you break treaty with another race. You agree, get the 10 points (upping you to 110). You welsh on the agreement and dont do it. Two turns later, the AI sees the treaty and again demands its removal. Again, you agree, get your 10 points (to 120) and ignore your agreement. Continue ad nauseum.

So now, instead of having steadily worsening relations with the AI for rebuffing their demands (and approaching the 'War threshold'), they are happily 'Brotherly' with you and agreeing to all kinds of Trade and Research etc. And it never changes because the AI doesnt 'know' it is being double screwed.

What happens here is TOTAL suspension of disbelief that the AI is another Race out there. At least MOO and MOO2 gave the ILLUSION that your diplomatic efforts and faux pas actually MEANT something.

Finally, if you want an AI (and a system) that is capable of 'backstabbing' on an agreement, the game should be changed so that it isnt quite so easy to monitor the agreements. Its just far to easy to see compliance via the 'Treaty Grid' screen. If they are supposed to be 'covertly lying to me', at least game mechanics should require me to find that information out on my own rather than blatantly flaunting that the diplomatic efforts accomplish nothing.

Sorry for the dissertation, but this is just, IMO, one of the absolute weakest points of the SE4 single-player experience.

Talenn