GOLD A.I. vs old A.I.

[Q]

I agree with Menschenfresser that the priority for MM should be in things that improve the possibilities of making modifications.
The intoduction of the drones is a good example, that we never could have achieved through modding, but gives us great new possibilities (as far as I can tell).
On the other hands the introduction of weapon mounts for satellites and weapon platforms is something modders have already developped a long time ago. If MM includes that in the gold Version, fine; if they reinvented it by themselves it's a waste of their precious time.

[jowe01]

Q is actually putting the finger on the issue. Most of the AI shortcomings which were mentioned in the first Posts of this threat and in some others cannot be fixed by "simply" modifying the data files. They require that the code is changed. Obviously, this requires a most probably non-negligible input in terms of time from Malfaldor. From my point of view, the Gold edition would be the point in time to make that investment ... and be paid for it. Only changes to the hardcoded AI can bring about revolutionary improvements in single player mode. The modders, while doing great jobs, can only optimize the parameters which the hardcoded AI employs - and currently this often means optimizing the behaviour of an artificial idiot.

[ 10 December 2001: Message edited by: jowe01 ]

[Beck]

But that could be said of the AI of virtually any game out there now or in the foreseeable future. Strategy games in particular suffer because by their very nature, there are a huge number of variables. I never expect the AI to produce classic tough games. The AI is a tool to learn the game and to try new strategies for use against human opponents. To me that is the real game and why I purchased it. I agree with Q I would rather see any programming time go to improving the modifications available to modders, etc. than improving an AI to which we would make the needed adjustments to and be back right where we're at now.

[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.

[Mephisto]

Such massive improvements would require a complete re-write of the code and even MM cannot do this in less than a week...

[steveh11]

OK, this is just by tuppenceworth of ramblings:
Poor me, I play exclusively single-player, i.e. against the AI. I still have enourmous fun, since I can set up the game to give me a "fun-and-winnable" game, in much the same way as Civ and it's siblings do.
I have installed - and removed - a couple of mods, and gone back to the 'vanilla' game. Use of the mod-picker *may* make using these simpler, so I may have another play-around with them.
As a single-user only player, PBW, PBEM and TCP/IP are unnecessary frill *for me*. A more interesting AI is much more in my interest. I gather it's not really been tackled, but nevertheless I'll probably get the Gold Version - eventually. EUII will get it first.
Steve.