finalheaven, I understand your frustration from that last game. It did seem kind of unfair that you got teamed up on - but that's the game. Had you asked me before Bats to start an alliance I would've said yes. We would've swept eastward. Stuck in the middle between four players, an alliance was the only way for me to make it to the end. When offered, I jumped.

Even if you got rid of chat, there still would be alliances happening just implicit instead of explicit. Again, taking an example from that last game - you weren't attacking me in the middle, instead going after blue - when you could have attacked me. I saw that you weren't attacking me, so I focused my attack elsewhere. You and I didn't come out and say we had any agreement but there was an implicit short-term deal going on.

Its not personal. I don't know Bats, I killed him in the 3rd round in the game I played with him before - which I somewhat regretted as he gives charming commentary but business is business. Alliances happen out of convenience. I do know that I can trust Bats as I've played with him before, but if we didn't have an alliance I'd wipe him out asap if it would benefit me.

There's all sorts of interesting horse-trading things that can go on with alliances. Its an interesting part of the game.

good idea