It's not all bad, though. Only mostly bad.
Quote Originally Posted by The Shogun
Obviously each faction has its own victory conditions. These will be editable, should you feel like it. . . . The rebellion mechanisms have changed to allow for rebellions to spread, and to allow for disloyal generals making a stab for ultimate power themselves. . . . The AI has improved generally
We'll have to see for ourselves, ultimately, but that's at least one hardcoded aspect (victory conditions) lifted.

-Simetrical