A lot of players don't like the idea of being wiped out in a couple of hours with no warning what so ever. Most call it "newbie-stomping" or "noobstomping".
The general idea of a "formal war declaration" mechanic could be implemented to delay and inform players of what is going on.
For example disallow empires from damaging military bases and buildings on claimed worlds without first declaring a formal war.
The war declaration would have to be sent to the empire and wait about 24 (or more) hours before it goes into effect. The time before the war declaration becomes active could scale the size between the empires. If a large empire declare war on a tiny empire, the activation could take longer.
Once the war declaration is active the empires can attack and destroy buildings on claimed worlds.
This would prevent empires from wiping each other out before at least one diplomatic action with obvious intent. As the delay would mean that the defender has time to prepare to either flee or fight back, maybe even call on allies.
The general idea of a "formal war declaration" mechanic could be implemented to delay and inform players of what is going on.
For example disallow empires from damaging military bases and buildings on claimed worlds without first declaring a formal war.
The war declaration would have to be sent to the empire and wait about 24 (or more) hours before it goes into effect. The time before the war declaration becomes active could scale the size between the empires. If a large empire declare war on a tiny empire, the activation could take longer.
Once the war declaration is active the empires can attack and destroy buildings on claimed worlds.
This would prevent empires from wiping each other out before at least one diplomatic action with obvious intent. As the delay would mean that the defender has time to prepare to either flee or fight back, maybe even call on allies.