[capnq]

The problem with SE IV's diplomacy is that the AIs have no memory of the past beyond the current and proposed treaty status, their Mood towards the other race, and the time since the Last proposal or war. (I think that's all of the factors.) It's the same problem as with most of the other failings of the AI, not retaining information.

The basic diplomacy model in Civ1, Civ2, and Alpha Centauri is pretty much the same, and not all that different from MOO1 or SE IV. They just get progressively more sophisticated in terms of what choices you have. I expect the same pattern holds for Civ3 and MOO2, which I haven't played.

Getting back to the original point, the reason to buy SE IV now rather than wait for MOO3 is that you can buy SE IV now. If your disposable income is so low that you can't afford to buy both, you probably won't be in any better shape by the time MOO3 is released, anyway. (If it is. I know quite a few people who think MOO3 is getting more vaporous every day.)

It's like buying computer hardware, if you wait for the Next Big Thing, you'll never buy anything. Buy what you need when you need it.

[ 09 May 2002, 19:57: Message edited by: capnq ]