Quote Originally Posted by eadingas
The player will _always_ expand faster than the AI, unless you give him a handicap, and I don't think it's possible. So the expansion may be slower overall, but it will be definitely easier with more factions than with less.
Yes, although it's a question for later stages - balancing the game. But by slowing the expansion you'll make life harder for the player everytime he plays the game. He won't rule over Europe in 200BC, only much later in the game.

BTW, you could discuss this with khelvan. He probably can tell you more about economical and strategical factors.

Quote Originally Posted by eadingas
Oh?
Because some factions will always be stronger than others.

In the case of very balanced AI factions, a single battle can decide the long term fate of one faction, by unbalancing it economically and territorially enough for that faction to be crippled in the long run. But in balanced AI factions, it can happen both ways, creating imprevisibility. Probably depending on the opposing general's triats in that particular battle.

From previous experiences, I believe that this kind of balance can be achieved in the MOD. There won't be a roll-over-everyone faction...

Quote Originally Posted by eadingas
The problem is that the hardness will not come from increased challenge, but from the game getting tedious and tiresome. From my gaming experience, many small enemies quickly become a bore, unless the AI is challenging. And we really can't do anything to change that.
But the factions will be very different from RTW's release. And since they are much more, this will enrich the strategical diplomacy game much more.

And I still hope for an improved AI in the Expansion. This MOD will continue to develop after that has been released.