Why game is so easy?
 

Hi

I set Computer Player Difficulty/Bonus in High. But it is very easy to defeat all computer players anyway.

How I can create more hard game?

Thanks

Vasiliy

Re: Why game is so easy?
 

try the TDM mod and Play-By-Web at seiv.pbw.cc

TDM improves the ai.

oh yeah, welcome to the forums.

[ December 29, 2003, 21:55: Message edited by: narf poit chez BOOM ]

Re: Why game is so easy?
 

<font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">Thanks

What you mean? Team Mode (all computer players against human)?

Re: Why game is so easy?
 

nope, TDM is a mod, not a mode. you can probably get a copy off PBW.

[ December 29, 2003, 22:03: Message edited by: narf poit chez BOOM ]

Re: Why game is so easy?
 

www.malfador.com has a listing of all mods on its SE4 web site. Look there.

There is an all AI vs. humans mode when you are creating a game. This will make all AI empires allied, and at war with you.

Re: Why game is so easy?
 

<font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">Sorry, I am new in SPIV.
Is the TDM like a patch? Is it free?

Thanks

Re: Why game is so easy?
 

<font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">Today this is not a good option if the AIs has Bloodthirsty as happiness... The AI keep sending Partnerships proposals during all the game (even after have this treaty), and then, more sooner than later they start to have many many riots, just because they're so friendly!

[ December 29, 2003, 22:30: Message edited by: Master Belisarius ]

Re: Why game is so easy?
 

mod's are user-created additions to games, and, aside from a few like counter-strike for half-life, their all free. to use it, you just download it, unzip it in your space empires directory(it should come nicely packaged in it's own directory) then you open up path.txt in your SE dir and change 'none' to whatever the name of the TDM directory is.

if that's to confusing, ask someone with more experience in being helpfull, rather than funny. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

Re: Why game is so easy?
 

<font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">Thanks

Re: Why game is so easy?
 

<font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">Sorry, I am new in SPIV.
Is the TDM like a patch? Is it free?

Thanks </font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">The the link to the TDM files: http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/newup...1066028417.zip

For best results, play with High AI, High AI Bonuses, SMALL galaxy, 3 starting planets, 4 TDM AIs (think United Flora, Earth Alliance, EEE, Narn, Aquilaeian, Rage, are some of the best).
With this kind of settings, even an experienced player could lose (me for example http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon8.gif ).
And not forget to test the Tessellate (some of propaganda to my AIs would not hurt, right?): http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/newup...1055630817.zip

Re: Why game is so easy?
 

ahhh counter strike for halflife is free...
you can also buy it as a standalone also though.

Re: Why game is so easy?
 

And forget to tell you... if really want hard opponents, try playing multiplayer!

Re: Why game is so easy?
 

<font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">i though they made a commercial Version?

Re: Why game is so easy?
 

Counter-Strike, IIRC, you can buy boxed with or without HalfLife. The main reasons to get it boxed are the documentation and convenience (having it on a CD, without needing to download). But you can get it Online, legal and free.

Ways to make the game harder against AIs:
Small galaxy
NO Neutral Empires
Turn off surrender
Use AI-friendly maps (low storm, black hole, asteroid system percentages; in other words, don't use Ancient quadrant)
TDM AIs
P&N mod as either a Pirate or Nomad
Self-imposed restrictions (eg. capture all planets, no planetary bombardment; don't use intelligence; don't use any racial points)

Ways to make the game harder:
Play humans http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif

Re: Why game is so easy?
 

AIC is another good mod to have a challenging AIs. It changes the game fabric substantially though, so be warned http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

Re: Why game is so easy?
 

Vasiliy, welcome!

Also there is a patch available. The latest is v. 1.84. Be sure to download that too.

Re: Why game is so easy?
 

Also, make sure you don't have neutral computer empires in the game. They definitely screw up the other computer players because they block expansion.

[ December 30, 2003, 18:09: Message edited by: dHay ]

Re: Why game is so easy?
 

A "Q" about mods from a new SEIV Gold purchaser...I'm familiar with playing the 1.49 Version on PBW, but I never was in a modded game. Now being the proud owner of 1.84 Gold I notice most games to join are modded...My "Q" is do I have to have the mod installed on my Version to play in that particular game properly...or is the mod only needed for the game owner?

Re: Why game is so easy?
 

<font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">Almost all mods require the players to have the mod on their pc and be using them to be able to play your turn. There are a few exceptions, but very few. The FQM NON-dexule Version is one. The Deluxe FQM however does require you to have the mod. You used to be able to play a TDM game on PBW without the mod, but I am not sure about that anymore. Seems like the recent Versions you had to. But my memory isn't clear on that.

Geoschmo

Re: Why game is so easy?
 

TDM has a modified Formations file, which it has had for years. You must use the TDM data files when playing a TDM PBW game, or you will get data errors.

Re: Why game is so easy?
 

Thank You

Re: Why game is so easy?
 

If you're looking for a harder game, try Proportinos. I forget all of the circumstances now, but my first game I was getting my butt kicked by the third or fourth turn. I encountered an alien race, and they immediately turned hostile and was sending out fleets of ships while I was still trying to explore just the next system. I quit that game, but it was a learning experience.

Re: Why game is so easy?
 

<font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">I didn't know Proportions had a Spanish localization. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif

Re: Why game is so easy?
 

There are a few ways to make the game harder and that is not not take advantage of the AI.
Don't
Trade with it
Create Treatys higher than Trade and Reasearch
There are a few others but I have not played in a long time.

Do Play in Simultaneous mode. That is much harder.

Re: Why game is so easy?
 

The first game I played with the TDM modpack, I lost to a tactic that I don't remember ever seeing in the original game. Then I said, "Now wait a minute here," and I never fell for that ploy again. I think that versatility is the key to winning in any game setting. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif

Re: Why game is so easy?
 

<font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">I didn't know Proportions had a Spanish localization. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif </font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">What's even funnier is that I don't know Spanish. hehehe

Re: Why game is so easy?
 

<font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">I didn't know Proportions had a Spanish localization. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif </font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">What's even funnier is that I don't know Spanish. hehehe </font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">hehehe, don't worry, because the word in spanish for Proportions is: "Proporciones". http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/image...s/rolleyes.gif

Re: Why game is so easy?
 

Hmmm..maybe he was doing Portuguese?

<font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">I didn't know Proportions had a Spanish localization. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif </font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">What's even funnier is that I don't know Spanish. hehehe </font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">hehehe, don't worry, because the word in spanish for Proportions is: "Proporciones". http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/image...s/rolleyes.gif </font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">

Re: Why game is so easy?
 

I don't speak Spanish either; I just thought the typo looked like a Spanish word.

Re: Why game is so easy?
 

<font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">Take any english word and put an O or an A on it and you are speaking spanish. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

Well, not exactly. But sometimes that's all the difference there is.


Disclaimer: This post was not meant to offend any spanish speaking people. I have high respect for the spanish community and their language. In fact, they work harder then us americans do. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/shock.gif

Re: Why game is so easy?
 

Hmmm. Most people work harder than us. Most of us are rather fat and lazy slobs, whom watch too much television and play too many videogames. Of course, we dont have the dole as a sociological institution to support a non-working lower class, so there is a flip side to that.

But back to why the game is easy, there used to be a bunch of people in the early days of SE4, whom would hang out here and complain that the game was easy. Yep, it is. It can even be easy with the hardest settings, the toughest mods, and horrible cheating creatures like the Space Monsters. It just depends on how good you are. The only real answer is to play against humans.

Re: Why game is so easy?
 

<font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">LOL. Honesty is not always the best policy when it comes to the truth. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif

Re: Why game is so easy?
 

<font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">on the contrary. the truth, if ignored, gets really angry and finds a two-by-four... http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif

Re: Why game is so easy?
 

<font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">And that's the truth. The AI's are fun, and you can spend weeks creating the ultimate in game winning strategies against all levels of difficulty against all Versions of the AI.

Then you enter into a game against humans. They sneer at your strategy, laugh at your ship building skills and giggle at your research priorities. Then, around turn 30, they hand you your head and turn your capitol into a mini-mart.

NOW you're playing a game!

Re: Why game is so easy?
 

And even against human players the game can be quite easy, or so I reckon. Asmala and Rex? Is the game really too easy for you when you play humans? http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif

Re: Why game is so easy?
 

<font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">I'm going to add this to my email sig.

Re: Why game is so easy?
 

I have tried TDM mode - the same things. AI send sips on my planet (with 10 Weapon Station) one by one (or 2-3 by 2-3). It is very silly. How I can change it (to force AI to create a big fleet)?

THanks

Re: Why game is so easy?
 

<font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">it was partly inspired by a sig i saw somewhere else. 'history doesn't repeat itself, it just let's fly with a hammer and screams 'didn't you hear me the first time!?'.

Re: Why game is so easy?
 

<font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">Excactly which AI is that (and what setup are you using) ?

There is a vast difference in the quality of the AI's. Some are very stupid, others just a bit daft http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif . Make sure you pick some decent ones (using latest Versions and patches) and give them a bonus. If it's still easy for you with High bonus, then you are ready for the big league (KOTH on PBW)

Re: Why game is so easy?
 

<font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">What game settings are you using?
What AI's are involved?
Are you playing a simultaneous game?

Re: Why game is so easy?
 

<font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">It does happen sometimes even with best AIs - when AI homeworld is very close and it has no bonuses. AI in the "attack" state does not wait for the correct number of "turns before next attack" and send understrength fleets. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon9.gif But it seldom occurs with TDM AIs on high bonuses.

Re: Why game is so easy?
 

I use High Bonus and High Difficult for AI, but I did not select AI. How I can do it? I thought that I can select only human player race.

I use Turn Based Movement.

Re: Why game is so easy?
 

You can always add few more empires (if .emp file is provided, of course), not only yours. Then edit those empires and turn them onto AI control.

Still, it is quite odd that TDM AI with high bonus does not master big fleets http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/image...s/confused.gif Start a new game then. It may be some silly loop in AI procedure exposed by particular game setup.

Did you try AIC mod yet ?

Re: Why game is so easy?
 

<font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">Ok if I understand your question, all you need to do is click on the Option Icon, upper left hand corner, and select players. Then just click the check circle next to the races you want the AI to control. A green dot will appear signifying that they are now under AI control.

Re: Why game is so easy?
 

You can add more than one empire in game setup. For the empires that you want to be AI controlled, simply edit them and turn on the Controlled by AI option. You can do it before starting the game. Most races come with empire files.

Re: Why game is so easy?
 

<font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">I suggest you to use Simultaneous Movement: is more challenging (after all, the AI always plays like a simultaneous movement game!) and you will have some training for multiplayer games.

Some months ago, I runned 2 AI contests. Although these contests were not perfect, at least you can see how the AIs performed... and think would help you to make your AI choices.

AI Deatmatch 1.
===============
With no AI bonus.

1 Narn
2 Pyrochette
3 EEE - United Flora
5 Earth Alliance - Aquilaeian
7 Klingon - Namovans - Space Vikings - Toron
11 Romulan - Jraenar
13 Shadows - Angelican Regency - Rage - Praetorian - UkraTal - Azorani
19 SWEmpire - EEEVil - XiChung - Vaxin - Orks - Drakol


AI Deatmatch 2.
===============
With Low AI bonus.

ROUND PLACE NAME POINTS
Final 1 United Flora 32
Final 2 Tessellate 27
SemiFinal 3 Space Vikings 23
SemiFinal 4 Aquilaeian 15
Round 6 5 CueCappa 16
Round 6 6 Narn Regime 15
Round 5 7 Pyrochette 15
Round 5 8 Toron 13
Round 4 9 Fazrah 9
Round 4 10 EEE 7
Round 4 11 Khrel 7
Round 4 12 Orks 5
Round 3 13 Gron 6
Round 3 14 Rage 4
Round 3 15 Namovans 3
Round 3 15 Earth Alliance 3
Round 3 17 Sallega 2
Round 3 17 Piundon 2
Round 2 19 Klingon 2
Round 2 20 Teslik 1
Round 2 20 Drakol 1
Round 2 20 Azorani 1
Round 2 20 Praetorians 1
Round 2 20 Colonial 1
Round 1 25 Cylon 0
Round 1 25 Corrian 0
Round 1 25 Romulan 0
Round 1 25 Toltayan 0
Round 1 25 Ekhazan 0
Round 1 25 Shadows 0
Round 1 25 Sergetti 0
Round 1 25 XiChung 0

Re: Why game is so easy?
 

<font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">You may find the AI in AIC to have larger fleets then se4. You will also find that many of the AI fighters, units and Ships will be well equipped to deal with your planet defenses http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

Be warned, you will need troops to defend your planets from this AI http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

It is recommended your first game to have NO ai bonus; you may find this to be a challenge…

AI bonus at low or higher; (this AI) will certainly rock your boat.

http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

[ January 21, 2004, 13:26: Message edited by: JLS ]

Re: Why game is so easy?
 

Have you considered making an AIC without the slowness of Proportions?

Re: Why game is so easy?
 

That is a good question Fyron…

Some Players like Star Liners and true, this tends to slow the game by its mundane micromanagement.

= = =

AIC has 2 starting option settings for your characters trait game style.

(1) OS* This will yield a more robust game without the need for Star Liners.

(2) Players also have the MP* Settings that is for multi-Player games or Solo games and this will yield the many more options and facilities that will increase the players Resources, Empire Storage, Ship Repair, Research speed, Construction speed and increased ship total counts. With increased Research and many other additions the game will move at a more robust pace.

By choosing the OS* and/or MP* as your players starting game triat style; will increase the pace of the game dramatically.

[ January 21, 2004, 16:58: Message edited by: JLS ]

Re: Why game is so easy?
 

I am not talking about starliners, but the entire slowdown of Proportions. The extreme importance of the HW and long, long time it takes to get colonies to be productive and such.