Re: [Freeciv-Dev] Re:negative Diplomacy

[David Pfitzner <dwp@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Peter Schaefer wrote:
> 
>  I second this, default should be 0%.
>  Also, perhaps server options should be reduced by one options.
>  It doesn't make sense to be able to setteal tech from a friend
>  using a duiplomat with no penalty, but to get penalized 1-00%
>  if exchanging.

I agree it shouldn't be 100%.  Having it 100% significantly reduces the 
advantage of trading techs, except in the very short term.

>From the ChangeLog (ha!) diplcost was introduced (under a different name,
probably combining diplcost, freecost and conquercost) in 1.0j because:
"Diplomat treaties [were] unbalancing the game".  It specifically
mentions negative tech bulbs (ie thats intended), but the cost
defaulted to 25%.   

One can make a good rationale for these parameters being non-zero:
when you get a tech "for free", without research, you get the benefits 
of the technology straight away, but if you want to go on and make
further breakthroughs, you have to spend some time understanding the
new tech.

So maybe all three parameters (diplcost for diplomatic treaty exchange,
conquercost for capturing/bribing cities and spying, and freecost for
huts and the Great Library) should default to non-zero but small.
(Eg, 25%, 10%, ?)

-- David