Has the AI improved yet?
 

I played this game from its release until 1.19. I stopped playing then, as the AI proved to be simply retarded, for lack of a better word. I'm sure you all know what I'm talking about. The question is, now, is it worth my while to try to get back into the game, with all the new patches that have been provided? Or, would I be better served by finding a copy of Master of Orion 2 -- I've heard that that is very similar, very good game.

Please no rah, rah. Just honest opinions.

Thanks.

Re: Has the AI improved yet?
 

It has in many ways been improved by modders, and by Malfador.

In the latest patch, I am getting my arse handed to me by 3 Original SEIV Races. The Ai is most definately inproved I would venture to say.

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New Age Ship Yards

"We've made too many compromises already, too many retreats! They invade our space and we fall back -- they assimilate entire worlds and we fall back! Not again! The line must be drawn here -- this far, no further! And I will make them pay for what they've done!" -- Captain Picard STNG

Borg Breen Species 8472 Cardassian Dominion STNG Ferengi Klingon Romulan
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Re: Has the AI improved yet?
 

Eas- That is a difficult question b/c everyone has different expectations. The short answer is yes. The AI as of 1.49 is better than the Last Version you played. I would suggest patching it, installing the TDM-ModPack, and playing a game. However, does it still do stupid things, yes it does.

Re: Has the AI improved yet?
 

Have the AI files been changed, or just the EXE?

I'm wondering whether I need to repatch all the AIs for P&N.

Re: Has the AI improved yet?
 

I downloaded the TDM mod pack which includes AI upgrades for the original races as well as lots of new races and I got my lunch handed to me. So I would say yes, the Ai had improved

Re: Has the AI improved yet?
 

Honestly, I would say either there has been an improvement in the AI or I have just lost all my skills at this game. Last four games I tried to start I Lasted about 20-30 turns before I got my butt handed to me (and I don't think I'm that bad a player). I do 3 homeworld starts on low tech, med cost, hard AI and med AI bonus. So far I have lost a homeworld everytime in about 20-30 turns. In my most recent game I had to resort to mines and ship capture to stay in the game, and then my own modded AI (the Y'Gath) came in with a fleet that could sweep 60+ mines with ease, I was toasted. Now if I could only stay alive for 100 or so turns to see if the AI has improved on how it handles Stellar Manip tech. http://www.shrapnelgames.com/ubb/images/icons/icon7.gif

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"We are all...the sum of our scars"....(paraphrased) Matt. R. Stover-'Blade of Tyshalle'.

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Re: Has the AI improved yet?
 

I posted I similar question just a little while ago. Here are my thoughts.

While the hard coded AI seems slightly better, it all boils down to balnce of power(wich planets you can get to first). You can do this with the map editor(more on that in anothor thread, at a later time).

Also there are things you can do to text files that would help the AI. I am currenyly working on a Generic AI. I found a borg ship set with no AI included that I am testing on.

Hope that helps

Re: Has the AI improved yet?
 

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by suicide_junkie:
Have the AI files been changed, or just the EXE?

I'm wondering whether I need to repatch all the AIs for P&N.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

I recall that the strategy for satellites and weapon platforms was changed in the files, but otherwise it's all the same.

Re: Has the AI improved yet?
 

Note though, that with the research percentages finally working, the older AIs' research files may not be as efficient as they used to be.

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Cap'n Q
My first SE IV mod! Hypermaze quadrant
The most merciful thing in the world, I think, is the inability of the
human mind to correlate all of its contents. We live on a placid
island of ignorance in the midst of black seas of infinity, and it was
not meant that we should go far. -- HP Lovecraft, "The Call of Cthulhu"

Re: Has the AI improved yet?
 

Hmm... Not as many replies as I had hoped. So, I'll ask this: What is the future of the AI?

Is it doomed to be poor forever due to the openess of the design? It seems here that what is good for the modding is not so good for the playing..

More importantly, is SEIV forever going to be no more than just a space exploration construction set? That would be sad..