Quick Start in Demo too easy??
 

I have been playing Quick Start games of the demo of SEIV Gold and I find them fairly easy. The game is still fun, but by using mines to block key warp points and by using missile boats at the start, the game is pretty easy. And through turn 100 I am always ranked 1st in the score.

I am debating as to whether or not I should buy the retail Version of the game. But, before I plop down $40 plus shipping and handling, I have several questions about the game that I hope will help me decide.

1) Is the AI better in the retail Version?

2) If I do a non-quick start, will the AI be better?

3) I know you can set the AI levels in non-quick start games, but as a comparison, what are the AI levels for the quick start games?

4) Do most people play single player against all computer AIs or Online against other players?

5) The game seems like it would be hard to play Online because the games would Last forever. Is playing Online really an option?

Any other comments about the dificulty of the game would be appreciated.

Thanks.

Re: Quick Start in Demo too easy??
 

1) yes, due to patches and there are mods that greatly enhance the AI.
2) yes, if you use Hard difficulty and give the AI a bonus.
3) I don't know, someone else can answer this.
4) I play both. I guess if you look at the PBW statistics, most players probably don't use PBW for on-line. PBEM is not easy to track.
5) absolutely. Most games are not played in real time. They do take weeks/months, but a turn per day is common. Check out PBW: www.pbw.cc/
6) read the first stikified thread: Newbie FAQ.

Slick.

[ April 11, 2003, 01:05: Message edited by: Slick ]

Re: Quick Start in Demo too easy??
 

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">AFAIK, it uses medium difficulty and no bonuses.
In comparison, if you choose _low_ bonuses, AI will research twice faster, build 50% faster and have twice as many resources to support its fleet.
Now, try it with high bonus http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

Re: Quick Start in Demo too easy??
 

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">AFAIK, it uses medium difficulty and no bonuses.
In comparison, if you choose _low_ bonuses, AI will research twice faster, build 50% faster and have twice as many resources to support its fleet.
Now, try it with high bonus http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif </font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Also, as I wrote before, ONLY with High Difficulty, the AI use all the available points to create their empire. It mean that the AI will be A LOT more weak if you don’t play with High Difficulty.

Re: Quick Start in Demo too easy??
 

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">I'm afraid I still don't see the effect you describe.
I started a game with random TDM AIs, and compared the "our race" window to the AI general file.

There was only one case where they differed, and that was because the AI general called for spending more than the allowed number of racial points.

Could you PM me with the details of how to replicate your results?

Re: Quick Start in Demo too easy??
 

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">I tested it now, and was unable to repeat what I have described...
Could be that I was confused when I did my tests, or maybe it was fixed in one of the patches.
When I tested it was when I did the Pyrochette files, 2 years ago.
Then: SORRY to everybody! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/blush.gif

Re: Quick Start in Demo too easy??
 

1) The AI for the demo and the full Version are the same files (as far as I know), the difficulty settings may be a little difficult to understand, they involve the AI use of ministers and only on 'Hard' difficulty settings does the AI use all ministers available (so using lower settings actually limits thier performance, instead of higher levels giving them a boost). The AI Bonus is what gives the AI a small advantage over a human player by giving them extra resource, research and intel points.

The stock AI still is lacking even at Hard difficulty with a bonus, which is where the enhanced AI mods (TDM-modpack) come in. The AI's still tend to be a bit predictable, but are much better in following what they are designed to do (and sometimes the AI creator has been creative enough to make the AI pull some surprises on you occasionally).