Diplomacy ethics

[vfb]

IMO "Machavellian" is the last one. But even in a game like that, you still start off with a default "good" reputation. That's what I've seen in the games like that which I set up or joined, anyhow.

There is still very little backstabbing, because:

- Your ability to make future diplomatic agreements in that game will suffer
- You'd better be sure that your backstabbing will quickly kill your foe, because his nation should rightly strike back. With great vengeance and furious anger!

So what's the point? Less OOC drama and whining in the forums, for one. And you reset to a "good" reputation in the next game.

[Belac]

I really don't think it makes that much of a difference. A well-timed announcement that a NAP-3 will be retired can be as devastating as a full-on sneak attack, especially if you've been talking all friendly-like, discussing alliance possibilities, and the other guy was -absolutely- convinced he could declare war on another of his neighbors.

In other words, binding diplomacy does not mean no deceit and scrupulous honesty. It means you have to be just a little bit more subtle if you want to catch someone out.

(Also, I will very rarely make a formal agreement to not fight until 'x' turn, or to not make peace with 'x' nation, etc. 'I will not do 'y' unless I give you 'x' turns warning' is very different from either of those)