Sure GLV the AI expansion can be programmed, they seem reasonable now.
It may be perceived differently from game to game, if you are boxed in-between a couple of Rock AIs and if they are Aggressive then yes, they will expand quickly.
I have a few LAN pals that like to colonize early, as long as they do not crowd me, I let them go. It applies to the aggressive AI in AIC as well; you will have to compete for planets when next to an aggressive AI. Do not give unwarranted Military agreements where they will just use your refueling bases to expand even further. Build mine and sat fields at choke points, back them up with a fleet and or base and then ask the AI for a peaceful treaty reduction that will keep them out of your Systems and space (non aggrssion) for example. However, timing is everything. The most aggressive, merchants and trader AI's wants (refueling rights) treaties; so expect them to eventually fight for more territory. Even a soft fight can cost you a system or two
Aggressive AI races in AIC are not Violent by nature, they emulate the Human Player that likes to build a lot of Colony ships and Colonize like Crazy. True, this gives them an advantage, and if the aggressive AIs get to powerful via Planets=ship count, I will trim there AI files so they won’t have the quantity or possibly the quality in the mid or late game ships. For example the Terrans colonize prolifically, yet there ships Primary Weapon is still the DUC for the most part, yes the Terran AI have a lot of Planets but there ships may be a little weaker.
With every AIC addition, there is a chance to unbalance one or even all the AI so we all keep a close look at this (one race rules all, at all times) if this is spoted, let me know and I will tweak that race. I also have noticed in a few games that the Amonkrie may be too quick out of the gate and I have an eye on them as well.
Thanks for the feed back;~ GLV
The next AIC Version (v3.01), I will tweak for a slower expansion rate in Low and Med bonus games
[ June 02, 2003, 11:16: Message edited by: JLS ]