sent to RJ
I definitely agree with no ROP rape against the AI, the AI have like no chance to win in this game, let's not stack the odds further against them i think that's 2 for no AI ROP rape.
As far as human to human i say any deals go, as far as the gifting cities when a civ knows they are about to be conquered, i think it fair that everyone should just be aware if you receive a city that I am outside of and about to take with my SoD and we have a peace agreement, i am taking that city anyway like it or not. trading / gifting cities is fine, but in times of war i think everyone should use common sense, it is more for the player who receives the city top think about than the player who gifted it and the repercussions of you having accepted the city. if everyone agrees to no gifting while you're about to be destroyed / captured then that's fine with me.
as far as making rules before a game starts, it would take forever to iron out all the rules / guidelines and it has always worked fine to discuss as we go and then go with the consensus, especially at this stage of the game.