[Freeciv-Dev] Re: (PR#5480) win32: no way to see diplomatic relations of other players

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

On Wed, 27 Aug 2003, Zachary wrote:
> AI Diplomacy? I was not aware of that.  How does it work, in layman's
> terms?

Quoth ai/advdiplomacy.c

/*

  "When a lobsterman leaves a trap out in the sea and can't get
  to it for a while, he will find the remains of many lobsters,
  but only one survivor. You might think that the survivor of the
  lobster-battles would be the biggest lobster, but actually it
  will always be the SECOND-SMALLEST. That's because when there
  are a bunch of lobsters in the tank, they always gang up on the
  biggest one first, until there are only two left, and then the
  bigger one wins."
  (Anecdote by banjo@xxxxxxxxxx)

Although the AIs are not this flawlessly deterministic in choosing their
enemies (they respect alliances and try to preserve treaties among other
things), this is the basic premise. Gang up on the biggest threat and
bring it down. Don't be too afraid to ally up with the others and don't
worry about our own safety. If everyone think the same way, there'll be
safety in numbers :-) If not, well, at least it makes a good show.

*/

  - Per