I believe that this problem was solved in SMAC. I think that there is now an option to declare vendetta (war), against any faction that you have contact with. I believe that the'll keep this option in Civ3.

I've finally dug up where I had previously posted my idea on new diplomatic states (I love that search feature!).

quote: more diplomatic states should be created. An example of diplomatic states could be (* denotes uncommon): No Contact Hostile States: No Diplomatic Relations War *Truce (ie don't fight for 2 turns) Temporary Cease-Fire (don't fight for 16 turns like in civ2) *Permanent Cease-Fire (eg Koreas) Peaceful States: Peace (eg US and Malaysia) *Permanent Peace (as in US and say, Australia) Alliance *Full Alliance (must help each other, auto share techs, can use each other's cities, aiports, aircraft carriers, cannot be broken without huge loss of reputation). eg NATO, or the Commonwealth idea I mention in my colonies thread. I think the most important and versatile one would be "no diplomatic relations". It would allow the "skirmish" state that DoctorGonzo was talking about. As you can see, I'm heavily into improving the diplomatic side of the game, and I think it is through improving this facet of the game that we can easily avoid a "civ 2.5", as some other guys have been talking about.

I've also dealt with the commonwealth idea "Colonisation" and "Cities Ceding From Your Empire".

I think there need to be other ways to contact civs in the first place. Having military units bump into each other is a fairly weak way to represent the clash of cultures. Perhaps there could be an announcement that your people have met another tribe, based on your exploration, your empire's width, and your number of military units. Usually, however, when the military units meet, it's too late for deplomacy (in the real world).

But, yes, back on the point of diplomacy, we do need a lot of improvement in the area. Anyone have definite ideas that we bash to death?

Just kidding, bring them all on

How about buying/trading resources of the AI or opponent, like 100 of those science beacon thingies for 50 Gold, the map or a unit, or shields and the otherway round. I think that in generally there schould be more options to swap different items. It not unusual that Nations buy Know-How of other nations (like Germany IT-Knowledge of India).
What do you think?

Microprose already beat you to being able to trade maps and units.

quote: How about buying/trading resources of the AI or opponent, like 100 of those science beacon thingies for 50 Gold

In real life, nations don't buy "scientific researching capibilities" from other nations, they just trade/sell the tech.

You are right about being able to "introduce" you to other nations. That should be implimented.

Evil Capitalist

Great idea. Joint research between allies is a great idea.

I have a proposal. I think you should be able to conquer cities back for your allies. This would be easier than trading cities because you wouldn't have to worry about your allies being so greatful for "your" cities that they may force a gift on you, like a city that you don't want. Tell me what you think.

Quote (from one of those books of 1001 quotations): "Peace: a period of cheating between two periods of fighting". Why should I deal with your science- I'll leave that to my spy!

However, for those leaders who still have a remnant of a conscience and for those countries who have well-protected science labs (unlike the US ), there should be a trade science option like the one in Civ2, not like SMAC.

It would just really piss me off if a bunch of AI players who are slow on science, would form a treaty and boost up their science production just to overtake me. Of course the same principle should apply to the trade treaties.

Anyways, that's just my humble opinion on the subject

1. After The UN is researched ( or created) you can build a "coalition". Let's say Elbonia (yes, 'Dilbert') invades pagong, which has a bunch of oil resources in it's squares. The UN can form a coalition, and it can elect a country to lead it to drive out Elbonia. The units that don't belong to you return to the original civs at the end of the war, or when Elbonia is completely destroyed.

2. Borders. They need to be fixed by the Industrial age. They can only be expanded by negotiation, unclaimed land, or by attacking another country with no less than 2/3 the approval of other countries. Until the other nations ( or home nation) aknowledges it, anything from sanctions to wars will be aimed againest you.

quote: The UN can form a coalition, and it can elect a country to lead it to drive out Elbonia. The units that don't belong to you return to the original civs at the end of the war, or when Elbonia is completely destroyed.

I'm not sure I wouldl like to watch in horror bad AI leading to a massacre my expensive units of the "coalition army"

With decent AI your proposal will be very good; until then will be better If only a human player can be the leader (MP games can manage it by some sort of election).

For the Babylonians, all you have to do is Look at NechubanezzersII's signature "Ruler of all the land between the seas...". Clearly, not what you'd call official, I think

That said, any commander usually can keep tactical control of own troops, just to avoid bad use of them (read, use them as bloody meat for suicide attack).

SMAC system can be extended: when planning a joint attack to an enemy city you can propose a different target (quite smarting, the AI usually accept your proposal ).
With a "point and click" you should be able to define any square on the map as the attack target. If you point on units on a map square, you can specify if your target is that square conquest, that square pillage (if enhanced) or the search and destroy of the units (useful when you try to intercept enemy scout).

How about the UN, once established, can call up troops to settle hot-spots of conflict. The troops are donated and once given, belong to a new UN civ that can station troops in any towns/territory/ belonging to any civ who wishes to be a part of the UN. Donating troops helps to increase your reputation and could also be an indirect way of attack an enemy without declaring war and hence losing reputation.

But as was mentioned above, the AI better good to do this well.