Roman Factions

[RisingSun]

It has been established that there will be Roman factions, but will they really behave as such? Consider for example, if thee was a Hannibalic situaton, with a Carthagnian army marching all over in Italy, and you playing as say, te Ceasarii, (sp) would the Scipio Afrcanus faction actually think to help you out more than it would than another mere ally? Will the AI recognize that helping you is good for Rome, and will they act as if thy were actually members of the same country, or just temporary allies? I hope that the Roman factions get a different AI script as far as alliances go. GilJay? ECS? Cap'n?

[Big King Sanctaphrax]

I heard that the Roman factions do operate like this, it was in the edge preview I think. Apparently they have to co-operate because at the start they are too weak to succed, and must work together. But then there's a lot of realpolitiking and backstabbing by the different factions too, so it's not all lovey-dovey. I think it's a really good idea actually, if it's executed properly, with the Roman AI behaving as it should.

[Leet Eriksson]

Btw the latest movie has all 3 factions marching in a city of sorts.It kinda answers your question partially.also from what i read in frogs post you will be forced to ally with them if your going to survive in the early periods of the game.

[RisingSun]

But, thats what I'm saying You should ALREADY be allied to them. You are friends. Yes, as the mpire grows, there should be a large amount of backstabbing eventually, ut what I am wondering, is will the AI be smart enough to realize that you are allies and part of the same country, and will they co-operate with you better (should be a huge amount better) than any other simple ally would? Like in my example of Scipio attacking Carthage to help out the guys in Italy and gt Hannibal off of their back. The thing is, with our current AI short-comings, I'm not very confident this will work as it should.

[Leet Eriksson]

Ahhh the wonders of scripting events....but i suppose the AI is clever enough to expand(play MTW as turks and wait and see how fast those byz expand).Also since every game would be different,who knows what hannibal might do?he might turn on egypt or some other faction instead

[Monk]

You are forgeting the Senate. the Senate is playing a major role in what the Roman factions do, my guess is that when a Nation or Group of nations declare war upon one Roman faction, the Senate sends word to the others telling them to rally against the Enemies of Rome, whether they do this or not woulod be their choice to decide. however they would have to know if they refused to help they would be threatened by the very force they decided to ignore.

and with the Diplomatic part of the game getting a " huge facelift" i'd imagine that all three oif the Roman factions will start the game in some sort of Military alliance.