AI Modding Consortium - Please read

[jpinard]

I sent an e-mail to Aaron to ask him when the next official AI update would be released. If it's going to take more than a couple weeks for the next patch (disregarding TCP/IP), then I would highly suggest we create an AI Mod Consortium.

This would consist of maybe 5-10 of the top people here on the forum including: Mephisto, Tampa_Gamer, Daynarr, Talenn, Jubala, Derek, SunDevil, and myself.

If anyone feels they should also be apart of this let me know, but I want to keep the group small. I believe Mephisto should be the group leader (if he'd like) because he abides most closely to the ideology we need: We don't want to stray too far from the developer's initial vision. Create a better and more believable AI.

Once I get a response from Aaron; if he states it will be more than a couple of weeks, then we can start a thread here, or I will create a brand new forum just for this. Either way, we should enjoy output from EVERYONE concerned.

Mephisto, Tampa_Gamer, Daynarr, Talenn, Jubala, Derek, and SunDevil: Please reply here and post your feelings on this, and whether we can count on you. Since I'm on disability due to my Cystic Fibrosis, I have lots of time to coordinate all out efforts.

Remember this will be a small coordinated group effort. We have the possability to improve the game (maybe even more-so than MM can do, since their resources are EXTREMELY tapped and limited).

[Derek]

As for me, I have two problem.

First: I haven't really played around with the AI yet, but rather most of the other files. So AI modding is something relatively new to me.

Second: I feel no such compunction to stick to what MM intended. In fact, I like making big changes

So, while I appreciate the recognition/notice, I doubt I could do as good a job as you are looking for.

Derek

[Derek]

PS: But I am willing to try!

[Tampa_Gamer]

I am game. However, my time varies. Some weeks I have a lot of time (very few deals closing) some weeks I have no time (deals + wife steals mouse and backup mouse). Anyway, I initially changed a lot of things in my game (Tampa_Gamer Mod ver 1.00 posted way back) and then due the volume of changes coming out in each patch, decided to take Mephisto's route. However, having said that I did like a lot of the changes Derek made and would not be opposed to coming to a consensus on changes we all agreed upon. If we all agreed - perhaps MM would be more likely to include it in the next patch, then it would no longer be a "mod"!

[Mephisto]

Sounds like a great idea if MM is willing to accept that we alter their races.
If we concentrate on making the AI races better with what there is I think MM is much more willing to include it in any patch.
But if we all agree on a new tech we can ask MM to add it anyway.
If we really really need a team leader I would do it but I think it should work quite well without a "big boss".
Jpinard, it would be great if you can do the "manage" part.
BTW: We always could use some testers for our Mod (I always could at least). Someone willing to do this?

P.S.: I hope MM will answer this one quickly.

[Daynarr]

This is nice idea, jpinard.
I am in.
Considering all the work that is done so far for SE4 by other moders I think that all of us could only benefit by such cooperation.

Just a side note; I am currently working on improvement of all the standard AI empires. Improvement in this case means that I don't intend to change AI personality or their research preferences or their general behavior, but to just improve on it. Sergetti is just a first one of those races, and I am using them to get a better insight of AI behavior. So far they are in final stages, and only thing left to do is testing. Right after I finish modifying Sergetti I would like to improve other standard races as well.
This will take a lot of time and work so any help will be welcome.

I have discovered some interesting ways to improve AI, so I will be sharing them as soon as I am able to test them.

PS: This was a looong 'side note' .