Make it so that Allies actually MEAN "I agree to an alliance' when they say it. We all know we've had many broken alliances with what you thought were friendly casual relationships which turned into venomous animosity. To say it in the most general sense of the word, and allow those who understand the complexities behind such changes:
make alliances mean something, and do not allow the AI players to be *cough* loose about their offering and accepting of alliances
I'd rather have 2 alliances of brethren who would come to my aid if an outside threat invaded my territories. The whole "Demand Attack on Faction" or "Offer Attack on Faction" even when they are offered in conjunction with eachother have never ever worked.
Example:
My new Spanish campaign I attepted to create an Alliance between myself and Gaul and then take out Julii - however, the Gauls, after accepting my proposal of an alliance, backstabbed me within one year. THEN the Julii asked me for trade rights, and in my fury I asked for an Alliance with the Julii, then the Senate, then the Brutii. I asked them all to attack the puny Gauls and punish them for their insolence, but none of them accepted! And then, to add insult to injury, 3 years later the Julii attack the Gauls! Seriously frusterating after multiple instances which my diplomats sat down with theirs to draw out a plan against the Gauls and each time they declined my efforts.
Proposition:
Once you have an Ally, it may make the Alliance take on more substance if perhaps there are more options of diplomacy with an ally, as opposed to one who is a stranger to you or who has merely made contact so that your merchants can trade wares. It would make more sense if you could draw out much more complicated Alliances - one which includes issues of armour and weapons from an ally, manpower, loans - and what have you. THere are many many various options to be expanded on this idea.
What have you got?
Bookmarks