[jowe01]

I do not think that SE4's AI is already at a point where it can no longer be significantly improved given the current state of technology. Pacing, remembering claims and dangerous spots, prioritizing targets (what is the most valuable target, which battles will I most probably win and which will I loose ?) and generally improved diplomacy (i.e. less arbitrary), all these are weaknesses which could still be improved if Malfaldor was willing to invest the necessary time. The launch of the Gold edition would be a good moment to tackle these issues because the considerable increase in single-player value would most probably lead to better reviews and thus better sales. Hence, I believe there is a return on the time investment to be earned.

Obviously, the AI matters less in multi-player mode. However, I guess most of the time, SE4 is still played in single player.