[PvK]

Well, a lot of the "promises" in diplomacy with SE4 AI's don't seem to really work. Until they do (or, assuming they won't) it would make sense to set all of the AI's to just ignore Messages it can't respond to, and/or to send appropriate refusals. This can be modded, though it'd be a bunch of work - maybe Suicide Junkie would be willing to adjust his AI modder to do this.

However there is quite a bit that can be accomplished with diplomacy with the AI. As I mentioned in another thread, I've even tried to play games where practically the only thing I allow myself to do is diplomacy (this makes a very fast game, and is not meaningless).

Diplomacy determines two very important things:

* Trade, which can multiply resource production, resources, intel, and knowledge.

* Hostility - who fights with whom.

It also determines other things, such as sharing of resupply depots.

Gifts and trade can be used to make up for resource imbalances and therefore keep production and maintenance flowing. It can also lead to vital tech gains (the most powerful of which might be trade for colonization technology, which of course can be a huge advantage). Gifts and trades can also be used to beef up an allied AI with your own designs, techs, resources, and production. It can also allow you to "fight" nations without declaring war on them, by gifting warships to aliens who are at war with them, while you maintain friendly relations.

PvK