[JLS]

ALL quotes: Originally posted by cybersol:

You start out in exploration (assuming you are connected).

(Yes) In the very first turn of the game. If the AI Starting HS is void of a warp point and unable to Explore and not a Ancient Race, the AI will Change to the Not Connected State.

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Then encounter another empire. If they are far away, not a threat then you most likely go into infrastucture?

(No) The AI will remain in the Exploration State, if there are more Systems nearby still unexplored

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If the are close by and maybe a threat then defend (short term)?

There is not a (maybe a threat), for the AI.
Threat would be constituted, if the other Player was not in an (Right Of Passage) Agreement, that Player would be considered the (Enemy) for the sake of this discussion.

(Yes) There is an Enemy ship in your AIs Claimed territory… Your AI may Change to Defend Short Term State.

(No) If there is an Enemy Near but not in the Claimed Territory, then your AI may go into Infrastructure State
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What other state transitions are possible starting in the exploration state?

Again, there are many possible Scenarios that can occur.

However, along with the AI Exploration State change in the Scenarios posted above. I would say the most Common would be if:

Your AI had an agreement with another Player and Your AI no longer had Systems, reasonably close to Explore, your AI would go into the Infrastructure State.

Definitions.

AI Exploration Strategic State:
This is where the AI; will explore new worlds and seek out new life, and boldly go where no other, AI has gone before.

On the serious side, your AI is expected to colonize more in this AI Exploration State and the Secure Holdings State then any other State.
However, it is recommended the Designers; AI Colonizer Production, stay within the Parameters of the MOD he, or she is designing for.
The finished product, in my opinion. Would be measured not how your AI competes against another AI, but how that AI deals and interacts with a Human Player
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AI Infrastructure Strategic State:
This is where the AI, will build up its Infrastructure, to setup Passive defenses and to Start long term Projects. Example: Non-Offensive Stellar Manipulation devises and other Vehicles that would require a long and extensive build process.
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AI Defend Short Term Strategic State:
This would be the first stage for the AI Player, to boot the other Enemy player out of his territory and for that AI to analyze its current Status for that current Situation.
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AI Not Connected Strategic State:
This AI Player has colonized all of its available systems, and this AI player is currently disconnected from other systems in the Quadrant.
The basic goal for the AI here is to Research Techs that will Colonize new Planet types, open news Warps, Create new Planets and to stay competitive with its own Ship Designs, so when the Warp is opened; this AI has not opened Pandora’s Box

[ June 24, 2003, 04:52: Message edited by: JLS ]