AI DEATH MATCH 2

[Master Belisarius]

Well, because the new patch and the TDM 3.3 (with many updates!) were released, I would be happy to run a new contest.

Here my proposed rules.

General Rules.
===========

- Head to Head games (it mean, 1 AI vs 1 AI).
- 30 AI scripts.
- I will use the more new AI scripts Versions that could find, or if the AI's author want, could send me an updated Version.
- If the author of the AI don't want to see their scripts included into this contest, the AI will be replaced for other AI.
- The games will be played using a custom map, TDM data files, SMALL AI BONUS, 3 Good Starting Planets, no random events, simultaneous movement and the first Player for the "human" player.

Why SMALL AI BONUS? Because most the players gave some bonus to the AI, to have a better challenge. But I'm open to remove this, if does exist opinions against it.

- The victory can be decided by:
a) One AI was able to destroy 100% the other AI.
b) The AI with more victory points after 500 turns.
- I will post the save game at the end of every game.

Fixture
=====

- 6 Groups with 5 races each one.
- All the races of each group will play between them, in the 1 vs 1 basis.
- The 2 first races of each group, will go to the next round.
- If does exist a draw for the 1st or second place, I'll run extra games.
- The second round will be done with 3 Groups of 4 AIs, and every AI will play 2 games against the other races. The 2 first of each group will go to the third round.
- The Third Round will be done with 2 Groups of 3 AIs each one, and every AI will play 2 games against the other races. The 2 first of each group, will go the the fourth round.
- The Fourth round will be done with 2 Groups of 2 AIs each one, and every AI will need to win 2 games against their opponent, to get a place in the final
- The Final will be played between 2 AI races, and to win, an AI will need to defeat their opponent 3 times.

- The 6 First places in the previous contest (Narn Regime, Pyrochette, EEE, United Flora, Aquilaeian and Earth Alliance), will be the heads of every group and will decide what group is assigned to each one, using a random function.

- Using a random function, will assign the Groups for the other races.


What AI's?
========

Here the initial list of races (in alphabetical order!), that would include:

Angelican Regency
Aquilaeian
Azorani
Colonial
Crylonite ======> An AI script that I'm finishing!
Cylon
Drakol
Earth Alliance
Eee
EEEvil Empire
Fazrah
Gron
Klingon
Narn Regime
Namovans
Orks
Piundon
Praetorians
Pyrochette
Rage
Romulan
Sergetti
Shadows
Star Wars Empire
Space Vikings
Toron
United Flora
Vaxin
Xiathi
XiChung

This is not a closed list.
For example, some races (like the SWEmpire, Angelican Regency and the EEEvil), had AI scripts that were not changed from a long time ago... then, I'm open to replace them for other races (if someone suggest a different one).
Also, have not included some AIs that belong to God Emperor (like Jraenar and Ukra Tal), because I consider them so close to other of his races, but could consider to change this if does exist people that want them.

MAP
====
Will use a custom map, similar to the previous contest.

STARTING DATE
=============

Would like to start the next Saturday 22 of Feb.


Finally, want to say that I'm open to any kind of suggestions, then if you have some, please post it.

[Rexxx]

Great idea. The Last contest was pure fun and helped me a lot.

I would prefer a small AI bonus but only one starting planet. There is no special reason behind this, it's just the way I play my solo games.

Some thoughts about the map:
It would be nice when the values of the asteroids belts could be more random. In your Last map all of them come with values of 100%. Creating planets for mining/refining/farming was almost impossible.
IIRC the old map contained only "specialized" systems. E.g. the first one had only planets with 140% minerals, 100% rads and orgs, the second one only planets with 140% rads, 100% minerals and orgs and so on. I would prefer systems which lead to the construction of different colony types as it is in the normal game.
Some planets came with values of 0% for mierals/rads and orgs. Again, this normally doesn't exist in the normal game and is a disadvantage for races who try to "diversify" their construction queues (building mining facilities on research compounds etc.) like the EEE for example.

Would it be possible to include the Khrel, an AI I'm currently working on? After peaceful gas giant races I tried bloodthirsty "rockies" and I would very much like to see how they work.

[primitive]

Master B:
The first AI-deathmatch was one of the major reasons I decided to come out of lurkedom. Great stuff.

Looking forward to the next one also. Just one comment:
Where are the Cue Cappa ?
They was clearly (one of) the best races before the patch, and I think they also will have a great opportunity now (they are the only race I have seen that actually capture planets on a regular basis instead of just glazing them).

[Atraikius]

MB - Thanks for running an AI contest again, the Last one was very useful. I'll email some changes to the Orks tomorrow or wednesday.

[God Emperor]

MB,
Wouldnt mind adding the Toltayans and Sallega to the challenger list. Have done a few different things with both of them.

Regards,

GE

[Mephisto]

You could remove the Xiati (if you use my AI files for them that is) from the list because they are identical to the Narn.