The "detect sneak attack" AI algorithm is way too sensitive

Did you just let them sit there or did you set an auto-pilot destination out of there?

I set them on the shortest course out of Torian space, trying to avoid any sectors where they had planets in when possible. Two of three Battle Axes couldn't make it out in one turn, and my diplomatic relationship was downgraded by the next turn.

The problem with the "detect sneak attack" AI goes farther than just this example though. If I am trying to save one race from extinction by engaging and invading fleet, I often have no choice but to do so around the targeted planet, but this will often result in the race I am trying to protect getting nervous about me instead. I know it's hard for the AI to discern human intentions, so perhaps we can have a diplomatic option of "enforced peace" for a set duration that I can use to comfort the AIs. If "enforced" is too strong, then maybe a "guaranteed" peace where by breaking that promise incurs some strong penalties to your diplomatic relationship with all races and some temporary loss of your diplomatic abilities.

I agree- More than once Ive tried to help out a friend by putting my ships next to his planets in a protective role- and by blocking opposition ships. Its irking when he see's this as negative..
CariElf,
I know its hard to discern intentions, but something it would be great if cone could let the AI know one's intentions; call it the adverse selection problem.

This gave me a thought. Not only should the ships be considered 'former Torian' and therefore the Torians allow them to leave their airspace... but shouldn't they have the stats as they were for the Torians? [not sure if this happens already, I don't trade ships often]. What I mean is that if the Torians are more advanced [in tech] wouldn't getting Torian BattleAxes be 'better' than regular old Terran BattleAxes? Again, not sure if this already happens... but it should, right?

I don't know about you, but I would be very nervous about an alien combat fleet hovering around my planet. Even if they were there to "protect" me.

John Doe I here ya. Just as the Iraqi's are nervous about U.S. troops protecting them. It's no different. Although a reasonable time ought to be given to get gifted ships out of their space. And I do think gifted ships ought to retain their base characteristics instead of reverting to those of the new owners.

The points I agree with:

The Torians should realize that those ships were theirs and given to the player, they should keep that status for a few turns at least.

There should be a diplomatic option where the player tells the AI that they're there for friendly purposes and won't attack, with _severe_ diplomatic repurcusions if the player lies. Certainly if the player breaks it, that AI should never accept/make the offer again, and perhaps no AI in the galaxy should either.

You should keep the bonuses on the ships the AI gives you if they're higher than your own bonuses. If i were the humans and i was given an alien ship, the first thing i would do would _not_ be to rip out all the alien systems and replace them with inferior human ones.

John Doe:

I would be so nervous about it if i'd chosen to _give_ them the ships there in the first place!

"Here, take this ship that's in orbit about our planet, please, we'd like to help you!" -five seconds later- "Oh my god! Get your ship away from our planet before we declare war on you!"

Schizophrenic perhaps?

PontiusBruinPilot:

They hate us, and we attacked their country, the fact that we kicked out a ruler they also hated is only a slightly mitigating factor. They never asked for us to be there in the first place.

Most countries in the world however don't complain if US ships go through their teritory. Just becuase the US has the military power to kick their asses doesn't mean that they assume we will do so without provocation.

Certainly if Norway decided to invade Spain (to pick two completly random countries) and we told Spain that we would help them and put some ships outside Spanish ports to guard them, Spain would not contact us as the Norwegian fleet approched and declare that we were threatening them and demand that our ships leave.

Yes, This has happenede to me too. Both the Arceans and the Torians provided me with some corvettes to figh tthe drengins and immediately afterwards the torians and the arcenas relationship toward me dropped.

The notion of a "peace keeper" stance is quite intriguing. I've had the UN resolution about peace keeping with trade frieghters in mind- but I think it SHOULD be able to spread into the general framework of the game. I've had a few games where I just wanted to maintain peace and order and tech overdose. But it usually meant me beating up ALL the races back into the stoneage (or at least pre-colonization age.) Where then, everyone hates me... hmm, sounds a lot like our current American foreign policy.

But I'm with ya Zah, the sensitivity is a bit high. Dont give me the ships if you not gonna call me in the morning!! I typically give them right back the next turn unless I absolutely need them (rare). They look at as a gift, not a returned tribute I think and love you more!

Hmm...they don't seem to check relations before lowering them...I'll ask Brad about this.