Modding and it's impact on AI

[Litcube]

Ok, from what I understand, if I start fiddling with modding, I'm going to throw the AI off a because they already have finely tuned research queues. Am I correct in assuming this? If so, is there some sort of guide or tutorial that covers this?

What kind of adjustments would I need to make to the AI files if I were to, say, add three more levels to Ship Yards? Or even the weapons? I haven't even seen an entries yet on weapons in those files.

Am I missing the point?

[Fyron]

You would need to alter their research files to be able to research the higher levels. Also, you might need to fiddle with their ship designs, depending on the nature of the changes to weaponry. Changing the size of weapons definitely requires changes to ship designs. But just adding more levels with more damage and such only requries increasing the level they will research (before completely reaching the end of the Research file, thus starting to research all unresearched techs, possibly just in the order they appear in the TechAreas.txt file).

[PvK]

No, you're on track. It depends on what you change and how you change it.

AI research is handled in each AI's research file, which is a straightforward script, with sections for which situation the AI is in (so it can research Stellar Manipulation when it gets cut off).

For 3 more levels of Shipyards, you could simply go find the point where an AI researches to SY level 3, and then either change that to 6, or go add appropriate places for it to research 4, 5, and 6, via cut & paste.

If you play with components, you may need mod ship design, etc.

Note that each specific AI has its own set of files, but there are also default files for races which don't have all specific AI files.

PvK

[Litcube]

So if I miss something in the Research file, they'll still research it anyway, as long as everything else is done?

[oleg]

Originally posted by Litcube:
So if I miss something in the Research file, they'll still research it anyway, as long as everything else is done?

Yes, but game may be over by then. It is still a good idea to include all important stuff in research.txt

[Atrocities]

Take a look at how some of the TDM mod races are have there research files laid out for some good ideas.