Hello,



the diplomacy system, like many other 4x games mind you, feels clunky. You have few, (but again, like most of the other 4x games) options, you just bribe your way to them through complimenting them (and by the way, since there is a system based on influence, it would be nice to be able to bribe them through both influence and by giving gifts of resources) and you sign whatever treaties available.



I think it would be better to make use of the questing system also for diplomacy. Like getting quests from the opposing factions where they ask, for example, for help, but not like in civ 5, where they just ask you for money or luxuries, or propose wars that are gonna make them hate you for being a warmonger.



I mean real quests, like exploring and finding a territory with a specific resource, conquering a minor faction or a town from another player, providing free units, or a even a hero.

They would assure real involvement, unlike in civ5 where you agree to both declare war on someone, with nothing preventing you from just minding your own business afterwards. The quest would keep tracking on your progress in helping them through a war or whatever other objective, and when completed it would give you a huge boost towards the relationship with that specific faction.



It would be even nicer (but that would probably be too complicated) if the player could actually GIVE quests to the opposing players, CHOOSING the reward himself (like 1000 dust) and then the AI would decide if to accept or not.



Maybe it could use a system like the empire plan, that every x turns, like 40 for example, you are allowed to give and/or receive a quest.



The possibilities would be endless, and I am definitely not the creative type, so I couldn't come out with better ideas at the moment, but I think it would be nice to make diplomacy feel more real.



Other things to consider that other games did well (previous civs) would be being able to agree for common war objective (focus attack or defend X place), differentiate between open borders for civilians/trade routes and open borders for military units, a congress of global diplomacy...



I know that many of these ideas would probably require a lot of effort on the developer's part, but I really like how EL is shaping up, it has so much potential I really wish it would use it to the fullest and don't end up as being just a "good game" being "more or less the same as other games", but to actually add more to the genre.



Thanks for reading.

Getting quests from the AI Major Factions would be great in single player. Reminds me of SPORE...



They could add a section in the market for "Faction Quests" which is open by default for all factions. You can choose which quest you like based on risks/rewards and which faction is offering that quest etc.



You can only take quests from faction you have met directly.



As for the Drakkens, they could nerf their ability by making them "see" the locations of other factions, but can NOT interact with them until they actually meet them directly.

I'm all up for this. Sins of a solar empire has such a system though a bit simplified. It allows you or the Ai to provide quests to others but the reward etc all paid by the requestor. When I have surplus credits I always throw quests to Ai or other players to invade this system or that planet. Failure will incur relationship hit though.