As I said, I won't believe it unless I READ it on the box when I decide whether to buy it.
Lest we forget, MP was originally supposed to be in the original release; later, when the question was asked over and over and over again and again the answers were the same, basically no comment or we are working on it. Same thing when asked about it in the patches. Same answers.
Even what they have said will be in C3PTW, I will believe it when I read it on the box before I buy it. I am not going to assume that what they said in the press release means anything until it is proven in the finished product. Too many game publishers/designers have made such comments, only for us the gaming public to find not in the product (MP in the original and patches for Civ 3).
Back to the topic, I think it's good to have this, but it would change the game style somewhat, but yes, I welcome the change.
Really, for MP games, it makes alliances more useful, since humans are very likely to coordinate attacks.
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Solver, WePlayCiv Co-Administrator
Contact: solver-at-weplayciv-dot-com I can kill you whenever I please... but not today. - The Cigarette Smoking Man