Re: Major Disappointment
 

As we all thought, it was the "defence base bug". I have altered the files and all works now like a charm.
BTW: Jason2, be prepared to meet the Xiait battle fleet. They just opened a warp point and invaded your space. http://www.shrapnelgames.com/ubb/images/icons/icon7.gif

Re: Major Disappointment
 

Okay, I just have to say - THANK YOU.

This community is incredible.

SEIV (I had never played any of the previous ones) is easily one of the best games - it will be on my hard drive a looooonnggg time. I have a ton of games... and while eye candy is nice, depth is better.

Because of all you modders - the depth is getting much better (MUCH).

Mephisto, thank you so much. And thank you to the rest of you as well http://www.shrapnelgames.com/ubb/images/icons/icon7.gif

I just made my wife listen to how great this community is and the resulting better game... she dutifully listend (or faked it well http://www.shrapnelgames.com/ubb/ima...ons/icon12.gif )

Peace,

Jason2

Re: Major Disappointment
 

Nitram Draw,

1.Go into your Space Empires file directory.

2.Go into the Date folder and open the text file called Components.txt

3.This file holds all components that are in the game. Facilities are in another file. If you notice on the top that there is a listing describing what each value represents and means. This will be very helpful in this file if you want to change other aspects of the components as well. Anyway do a search/find option for Quantum engines. You should go to Quantum Engines I, go to the line that says "Cost Minerals", and there will be a number following it. This is the amount of minerals it costs to build this engine. The default value should read 500. There is also a value for organics and radioactives as well. Keep those values above zero and probably below 65,000.

4.Make note that you just changed the first Version of the engines. You have to do the same for Version II, III and so on.

5.Congratulations, you've just modded. If you have any questions let me know. Make sure that you read the top of the file description before you change anything else besides the cost of the Quantum engine.

Re: Major Disappointment
 

Despite all justified acclamation of the potential and customizability of SE4, let's not forget why this post was originally started: because the hard-coded AI is still utterly stupid !

Sorry to be a spoiler, but my feeling so far is that SE4 still has to go a long way until it reaches the (modest) quality of the AI even in MOO II. However, this is 2001, and it should be better...

Re: Major Disappointment
 

By the end of this month, SEIV should be a completely different game if you listen to what folks are saying about the new patch.

One beta tester commented on what a pain cloaked ships are. Another one described one turn in which the AI opened a wormhole into his home system and sent an armada of dreadnoughts through. Probably, the patch will correct some construction queue problems which slow the AI's ship production.

In another topic, someone suggested lowering the AI bonus in the new Version from the current 2x,3x,5x to something much lower if the AI turns out to be as tough as everyone expects.

Re: Major Disappointment
 

I think that people fail to realize that the Last patch was from 12/19. And since then there has been 113 issues fixed SO FAR in the upcoming patch.

If you have a problem with the game you have two options. Mod the game yourself and fix the issues, or what for MM to fix the issues for you.

If you want to learn to mod or need help, let me know, I'll help you or point you in the direction of who can. But complaining about how the game doesn't stack up to this or that, when its quite clear the game has been out for three/four months and this how the process is(patch/add to the game for the next year and half), I just don't understand the need to complain.

Re: Major Disappointment
 

Well, the post was started because a bug prevented the Ai from building ships and units. I can't see how the AI of MOO2 could do any better then SE4s AI. Besides, I have watched the AI now for a looooonnngggg time creating my MODs and I cannot say that it is utterly stupid. What needs work is the script files for the AI that decides how the Ai will do things but the hard-coded AI is good when the script files are good.
Don't forget that an AI will not have the same insights as a human for a long long time (if ever).


<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by jowe01:
Despite all justified acclamation of the potential and customizability of SE4, let's not forget why this post was originally started: because the hard-coded AI is still utterly stupid !

Sorry to be a spoiler, but my feeling so far is that SE4 still has to go a long way until it reaches the (modest) quality of the AI even in MOO II. However, this is 2001, and it should be better...<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Re: Major Disappointment
 

You are correct Mephisto. The ai is good as ai's go. The problem's that everyone have been seeing are symptoms of the construction bugs for the most part. Once that is cleared up, you won't notice as much what little issues might be left becasue you will be too busy defending yourself.

SEIII's ai wasn't genius, no ai that you could afford to put in a shareware or retail game really could be. But SEIII would keep you busy because it did a pretty good job of colonizing and building attack fleets.

I can remeber games where I could have several consecutive turns of 20+ ships fleets coming at me. It would get so bad that you would have to go on the offensive just to clear out all the planets producing ships to send at you.

I predict in another few weeks we will start seeing Posts on here looking for ways to beat the ai, not ways to make it stronger.

Re: Major Disappointment
 

Sun Devil,
Thanks.
I would like to learn. I guess I should start small.
How would I change the build cost of the Quantum Reactor?
If you don't want to take up space in the forum e-mail me at JWARD11156@msn.com
Thanks again

Re: Major Disappointment
 

Would some kind soul give me a few tips on how to correct the defence base problem in my AI construction files?

Do you just have to take the Defense Base out of ALL the queues? Or, is there a way to take it out of the queues of just the planets that don't have space yards?

Thanks!