Devs: We're adding an alliance limit
Mega Alliance-oriented players: Meh, we can still have mouth alliances
Devs: Oh right, let's make that easier for you, by adding the neutral system. You can now fight together without crossfire.
Okay?
And how do they tell their AI to not attack these "unofficial allies"? And good luck using spyglass every other 30s in the middle of intense naval battles to tell the difference. There'll be a lot of crossfire.