[dmm]

1) Too many complaints about the AI. The truth is that computers are stupid, and it is hard to keep them from doing stupid things. You wind up having to script its behavior, and then it doesn't take a bright human very many games to figure out the flaws.

2) Personally, I don't mind the dumb AI because my time is so limited. I just want to have fun for a few hours. And SEIV delivers.

3) SEIV's AI is comparable to a lot of games that I've played. For example, Red Alert is pretty easy to beat, once you know how. Successive releases in that series have gotten smarter, but are still no match for a good human player. Same with Alpha Centauri.

4) For those who are frustrated by the AI stupidity in certain areas, here are some suggestions:
i) Make some technology unavailable, or just don't use it. Example: Mines, which the AI seems to have lots of trouble with.
ii) Role play. There are tons of options here. Examples: Pretend your race's sense of honor won't allow it to attack an enemy with overwhelming odds. Pretend your race is technophobic. Pretend your race is pacifist. Pretend your race is cowardly. Etc., etc., etc. Use your imagination and have some fun.
iii) Give the AI advantages. Examples: Use the setup button that allows it to produce faster. Don't use all your race points, or use them to enhance role play rather than to insure victory. Give the AI a head start.
iv) Don't exploit known weaknesses that you feel are unrealistic. Examples: Don't use stolen technology immediately; wait a bit. Don't remain allies with two warring AI empires, all the time ignoring their diplomatic ultimatums; choose one and reject the other. Don't demand anyone's home planet as tribute and don't accept it if offered.


Yes, in some ways these suggestions would limit the game, but the point is that you can have a lot of fun with the stupid AI. Then you can remove restrictions as MM improves the AI, and it will be like getting periodic expansion packs.

5) The debate about AI opponents vs human opponents is missing an important point: most games have inherent flaws which will be exploitable by an experienced human opponent, which eventually either ruins the game or turns it into a chess match. So after a while, human players aren't much more fun than AI. But SEIV has a lot of complicatedness and customizability, so hopefully it won't get old so fast. Every time you find "the way to win" you can mod the files and take that way away.

[This message has been edited by dmm (edited 18 December 2000).]