MP Alliances functionality?

[JaydedOne]

I believe we've addressed this before, but I can't recall the thread or its outcome:

Is there any possibility of tossing in a very basic MP allied victory functionality? I'd think it'd be so simple to implement -- a simple flag that toggles when two players send/agree to an alliance which totals their provinces/research/victory points into a single sum when checking for a win. If there are multiple flags between players, add all together for the determining factor.

Granted, that will require some player-regulation as quick alliances will lead to quick victories (esp. if capitals count as victory points) but even then, I think the option is better than not having it at all. I'm not asking for any SP enhancements like letting the comp ally. But it just seems strange to me that that functionality isn't there for Dominions. I recognize it's not completely thematic and perhaps that's the final answer, but I think the theme could be slightly twisted (ascension as a slightly weaker pantheon) in order to make room for a type of gameplay that players very much want in the game.

Thoughts?

[Archonsod]

I don't really see the point. If your already playing as an ally to another player, then surely your capable of deciding on a pre-set victory condition amongst the rest of your group?

Unless you have a real hankering for the ascension message

The problem with the suggestion is that your going to have players who want to ally but not have their resources totalled up, or players who want alliances in the game, but don't want allied victory to be possible, and a hundred and one other potential victory situations being requested.

[JaydedOne]

Well, I think the biggest thing is just eliminating the math/uncertainty from the system. I look at the graphs and I can't say for certain whether three players DO have enough victory points/provinces/etc. to win. I'd rather the computer do the counting rather than ask each player to hand-count their provinces/VPs/etc. and then risk accusations of cheating, etc. on top of it all.

[Teraswaerto]

I think allied victory with VPs is rather questionable, and should only happen if it was agreed to be possible before the game started.

Allied victory, IMO, is when there is only one alliance left and they just agree "we won".

[JaydedOne]

Like I said, it'd require some house-ruling so that a group of players didn't suddenly decide to end a game prematurely by allying out of nowhere. I'm not saying that it's an idea that wouldn't require some discussion. I'm just frustrated by the complete lack thereof at the moment.

[thejeff]

Scoredump file shows the actual counts.

Same information as in the graphs, but gives the actual numbers.