Yep.
The biggest problem is Kingdoms simply declare war because they can (when they are strong) and then ask for peace (when they are weak). There's no cultural animosity or any sort of relationship gauge between them. So really there's no Diplomacy to speak of. Kingdoms that are in protracted wars where members die, villages are raided, and settlements are lost should really loathe each other and be more prone to waging war with their "enemy".
Maybe they should work like:
- Neighboring Kingdoms: -0.2 Relation a day
- Non-Neighboring Kingdom: +0.1 Relation a day
- Kingdom receiving Tribute: +[1*(Denars Paid/1000)] Relation a day
- Kingdom paying Tribute: -[2*(Denars Paid/1000)] Relation a day
- Every 1000 Troops Lost: -1 Relation
- Kingdom Village Raided: -3 Relation
- Kingdom Member Killed: -5 Relation
- Kingdom Castle Lost: -7 Relation
- Kingdom Town Lost: -9 Relation
- Kingdom Leader Killed: -10 Relation
- Conquered Village Raided: -1 Relation
- Conquered Castle Lost: -3 Relation
- Conquered Town Lost: -5 Relation
- Successful Raid: +0.5 Relation
- Successful Castle Siege: +1 Relation
- Successful Town Siege: +2 Relation
- Each Kingdom Member Freed/Ransomed: +1 Relation
- Declared War On by Kingdom: -3 Relation with that Kingdom
- Peace offered by Kingdom: +2 Relation with that Kingdom
Basically Kingdoms should slowly begin to dislike their neighbors, but be at ease with distant Kingdoms. And most hostile actions should start to build resentment to the aggressor. The only real positive relation gains should be when the Kingdom is getting some kind of clear benefit (Tribute/Members back). Peace is possible for a time, but certain Kingdoms will inevitably hate other. I mean this is supposed to be a war game not a Medieval Kingdom simulator.
Problem here I think with actual Diplomacy/Relations is that certain Kingdoms will just stay in permanent wars with each other til one is effectively destroyed - no matter how you try to factor it into to War/Peace decisions. Though truthfully I think most players would prefer longer wars where's there an actual clear winner. Of course we could be testing such things now, but instead all we get is random wars with no rhyme or reason. It's kind of sad how much time and effort in this EA period has gone to simply get early snowballing under control.
Anyways I think the only time Alliances should be formed is when one Kingdom is getting far too powerful (say controlling 1/3rd of the map) and the remaining Kingdoms band together to take them down a peg. That's the only way it makes sense. But most of the time Alliances will probably just lead to more snowballing, since one Ally will inevitably become stronger then the others. IDK Alliances would be nice, but in the game's current inception probably won't work out too well. I mean really what are the benefits to an Alliance for Kingdoms anyways? Better trade? Suppose more recruits could be available, but I think the A.I. fudges quite a bit when it comes to recruiting anyways.