initially I saw this idea as stupid, but it certainly could bring a new complexity in diplomacy and tactics

Lets say there is a surrender button when some fam declares war on yours, here I throw some rules for the new button

1. You arent allowed to surrender in the first 12 hours of war (or 10 tics since warbonus is applied)

2. You arent allowed to surrender if your family has not attacked the enemy during the war -> the 'surrender engine' can search for attacks by consulting the family news (in both current and previous year).

3. You arent allowed to attack the enemy from the very next tic after you click the surrender button (only a leader is allowed to click it as the button will only appear in leader options)

4. Once surrendered, the enemy leader can accept your surrender (in leader options too) so a permanent nap is authomatically signed in relations for both fams the tic after surrender is acepted.

5. If the enemy dont accept the surrender and goes on with attacks, then those attacks suffer 3 effects:
    5.1 morale spent is doubled for every attack
    5.2 NW range is doubled from 25% to 50%, so any planet attacked under 50% of attackers NW will be blown up
    5.3 all the infra in any taken planet is authomatically destroyed.

6. When the surrendered family has to pay compensation planets the leader will use the rogue tag to allow certain planets to be taken by the enemy. Rogue tag on a player means this player can be attacked even when a NAP is signed at relations. The effect is instant so the player can go back to his normal status once the comp has been payed.  In case the surrendered leader dont want to pay compensation then Mods can remove the NAP status and allow attacks between both families.

Comments?

I think maybe a % of lost planets should trigger the surrender option. Like the Mercy Rule. Like if your family has lost 50% of their planets it should allow the losing leader the option to send the surrender. Once the Surrender has been triggered the losing family can't make attacks for 4 ticks. The winning family will have those 4 ticks to attack for planets. Once the 4 ticks are up a NAP is put in place automatically. Either 72 hour or pnap.

I would see the Surrender option as a chance for a family thats being owned/farmed to the ground to have a chance of saving their round

nah forget this idea Nightwish, surrender is surrender we dont need extra buttons

...also, Render never surRender