Why must the player lead an active role when it comes to diplomacy?

[NewbieHere]

When an AI makes contact, it's either maps or demanding tribute, it NEVER actually ask for trades, or ask for what I would trade for its resources, etc. Why is this? Wouldn't the game to way better if the AI plays a somewhat more important role when negotiating, it's like the personality doesn't matter, if the advisor says "It's a fair deal", the ai'll agree, if the advisor says "It's close" or "They'll be insulted" the ai won't, no advisor is perfect.

Also, wouldn't it be neat if the ai gives gifts to the player in situations like war or improving the relationship?

My two cents.

 

[Qitai]

Not true. It does ask for trade sometimes, especially in the early games when you are their only contact. This is rare, however.

 

[Master_Debater]

Giving gifts is useless, right? They never reciprocate.

 

[Roxtar]

I agree, gifting is so one-sided! And yes, it is useless; if their troops are headed toward your cities, it's a sign they've made up their minds to attack you, & no gift will placate them. But AIs have made demands to me quite often. I usually refuse; a little of the time they back off, but more often they declare war. By the same token, when *I* make demands, they almost always refuse, although one AI did give in once.

Similar to my motto regarding trespassing on my territory--Try to extort gold, techs, etc., from me, & I'll conquer all your land!

 

[Qitai]

From what I can tell, giving after they have decided to hit you will not help (I.e. after you see they troop marching towards you). But if you try to give them before they make the decision to war you, it may help. I do not know for sure. The only reason I came to the above conclusion is that I see less situation of AI marching towards me when all the AI are friendly.

Try making smaller demand like 30gc. I have got them to give me small amount but have never been successful in getting anything big so far.

 

[Yeti]

The main time that the AI seems to offer trades is when an existing trade is running out. They always (or only almost always?) contant you on that turn. Sometimes they just say the deal is running out and they don't want to continue it (although you can still make an offer), but fairly often they make an offer (ask for something from you) to continue the deal.

What I find interesting here is that they'll often ask for something that they aren't willing to give if you ask to negotiate.

 

[Pongui]

The major block seems to be that AI will only consider balanced deals or deals which cause AI to feel indebted (improves attitude). AI never enters deals it resents (lowers attitude). The scale tips one way only. Broken scale.

I'd rather be able to talk a polite AI into an unfair trade, then pay the price next time with a partner made cautious. The reverse works, so why not?