When you first encounter a new potential ally/opponent, you have no choice in how you greet them, which I believe is missing gameplay flavor that would be relatively easy to add. Why not offer a variety of random greetings (within the major categories of friendly, neutral, wary, and hostile)? As examples: An aggressive empire meets a smaller kingdom, and they don't feel like being friendly, they can taunt or threaten, making that upstart sorry they ever met the bigger empire. Or a sly (neutral) response: "Though our goals might differ, perhaps we can work together for a while." Or a (wary) warning: "I see you eyeing my territory. Do not test my borders if you wish to remain in control of your own lands." In any case, having one friendly-sounding response all the time just feels lacking.
These options could serve as tiny starting diplomacy boosts/hits (and I mean tiny, so they cannot be open to abuse but only serve to further the desired play style), though there is the potential to do even more with them. Hopefully this will be considered when the time comes to review diplomacy.
And what would these boosts/hits be? Being overtly hostile seems like it would always have a negative impact, which is why I am guessing it is always an apparent friendly greeting until you, e.g. declare war.
In a 1v1 game, maybe. But your relationships with other factions might suffer from being too friendly with "the wrong type of people".
Also, a stronger faction might attempt to prove its superiority by being rude, a more subtle diplomacy system would allow for things like intimidating the AI. If you're always friendly, the AI might ignore any requests you make, figuring you're too nice a guy to be mad. But if your relationship is one where you present yourself as dominant, the AI might try harder to please you and make you happy.
Provoking others to go to war with you is a time-honored tradition. This could fit within a larger diplomatic context. States will be wary of you if you just belligerently attack others (not sure if this is how the game works, but it would be a cool game mechanic). However, if you are attacked and in the course of your counter-attack you wipe out their armies, take over their cities, and hear the lamentations of their women, hey, "it was self-defense".
I think that Gorde has outlined an excellent suggestion here !
For my part, I would suggest keeping it simple. I think the mechanics should be simple; and the effects should be straightforward. In other words I would suggest that there be just three opening lines: one that is clearly mildly hostile, one that is clearly mildly friendly, and one that is purely nuetral.
The hostile one would imply hostility, including strength and independence. It would have the effect of initiating the relationship with this particular opponent as being slightly hostile. In addition, it would resonate (to a lesser extent) with the two classes of AI opponents, the kingdoms, and the empires; such that if the opponent is a kingdom, other kingdoms would feel more hostile (and empires more friendly) ... and vice versa, if the opponent is an empire. The friendly response would imply friendliness, inviting trade, treaties, and cooperation. It would have the effect of initiating the relationship with this particular opponent as being slightly friendly. In addition, it would resonate (to a lesser extent) with the two classes of AI opponents, much like the case with the mildly hostile response ...
The nuetral response would be truly nuetral. It would have no effect upon the initial relationship with this particular opponent ... or, for that matter, with the other members of the two classes of AI opponents. Essentially, it would cede the initial definition of the relationship, to the opponent.
Gorde has suggested that these opening lines should serve as tiny boosts or hits in the diplomatic relationship. I would suggest "small" rather that "tiny"; but to avoid (as Gorde notes) the potential for abuse, I would suggest that this trio of opening greetings (opening postions) only be available once (the very first time) that you encounter a particular opponent. On all succeeding occasions, this trio of greetings should NOT be available. Instead, only the regular repetoire of diplomatic statements should be available.
Of course, if Stardock wants to go to the trouble and effort of making this opening diplomatic gambit more complex, and/or more ambiguous, that could be done too. BUT my real point is: that even this relatively simple upgrade of the opening diplomatic options/exchange, would make for a huge improvement in this aspect of the game, IMHO.
Sounds good, OrionM42.
Great follow-up, OrionM42. I see the current game mechanic as a placeholder, and this type of suggestion should be relatively simple to implement. With luck, the devs will agree with us.
There are many great features available to you once you register, including:
Sign in or Create Account
