How is the AI any better than before??

[evan42]

I have been reading Posts here for a while, but this is only my first post.
Anyway, after reading everyone's responses to the new v1.19 patch, I just can't help but ask... How is the AI any better than before??

I have played quite a few games with the originally shipped Version, and found the AIs are weak (like it's so easy to miss it). And after the patch, I have played exactly 2 games. In both of them, I can still beat the AIs hands down.

I tried to use different settings, so in the 1st game I played, it's a Small Map with Difficulty set to High, and AI bonus None. Only 30 turns into the game, I have already colonized half of the map. And, in 2403.6 (36 turns into the game), the Phong Confederation had given me their HW when I asked them for a planet... I stopped playing the game at this point, because this is exactly the same as playing without the patch.

In my 2nd game, it's a Large Map, difficulty is High, and AI bonus is Low.
I found myself in a corner of the map with Cryslonite Imperium with 10 systems and one warp point connecting to the rest of the map. Since We are both Gas giants colonizing races, I had been very aggresive with them. Ok, they did put up a fight (kind of), but 30 turns into the game, my ships were already orbiting their HW, with me taken heavy losses (damn fighters). And then, I tried to ask them to surrender, although I expected them to fight until the end. Guess what? They did surrender! I don't think I will continue playing this game, because I am already twice the size as any of the other AIs.

BTW, in both games, starting resources is High, Tech cost is Low, Tech level for new player is Medium, racial points for new player is 2000.

In both games I played, they are over in 30 turns. So, I really would like to know... How is the AI any better than before??
Sure, they might seem to be more aggresive than before, but they are also as dumb as before. Do I still have to play with the "all AIs vs Human players" option turned on? What's the point of this patch anyway?

Maybe someone knows a different setting that will make the AIs more competetive?

Also, I have been reading a lot about those modifications to the game, but I don't know where to get them. Perhaps someone can show me a pointer? Thanks.

Evan