[Freeciv-Dev] Re: Diplomacy

["Per I. Mathisen" <per@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

On Sat, 22 Feb 2003, Ross Wetmore wrote:
> I'm happy with the Alpha Centauri model that you (Per) like
> but only if it can't beused for any real advantage.
>
> I think that any spy capability should have a cost

As I said to Greg, I have no problem with splitting the current embassy
into embassy and spy network. But this is something that (as Chris said)
requires careful thought, and I won't do it this time around.

> So the question really comes down to what can an embassy do,
> and what should that cost?

Why should an embassy have a cost?

Why shouldn't an alliance have a cost? Or shared vision? Surely from a
(misguided) "realism" viewpoint these must be awfully expensive to
implement.

The only good argument for a cost is for game balance. But in this sense
it already has a cost. If you allow the other player to establish an
embassy on your soil, you also allow him to spy on you. So there is a
cost, but the burden is shifted to the other player.

(If you trust the other player, there is no cost in this sense, but
neither is there a benefit from spying.)

  - Per