Well said!

From what has been said in interviews, IronClad is basically tearing out the diplo system as we know it and starting from scratch. 

Fraser went on to say that it certainly won't be anything like the current system, which essentially consists of paying tribute to your opponents and hoping that they grow to like you. The overhaul will also extend to the way in which the AI allies up with other computer players, with the aim being to "improve communicating what the alliance status is between other players."


"Without giving anything away, we are looking at how pretty much every other strategy game handles diplomacy including board games like Risk 2210 and Twilight Imperium (Third Edition) to PC Games like Civilization IV and [Galactic Civilizations II]," said Frasier


...


"The second micro expansion is really about both diplomacy and the non-military aspects of the game which will bring it more in line with the RT4X sub-genre we've labeled it as. Certainly, multiple paths to victory, especially non military paths, are part of that," Fraser said, adding that the introduction of additional game modes that will make the game more multiplayer-friendly is also a distinct possibility, pointing to the user-made Sins of a Solar Empire DOME mod as an example.

CAN'T WAIT!