Proposed Solution to Mega Evil Empire Problem

ColdSteel · #1 January 28th, 2001, 02:36 AM

Of course, this might have already been suggested in an earlier topic that I missed? If that's so, then I apologize for dredging it back up.

If that's not it, am I missing something else obvious? Or does everyone just really hate my idea and you are all being polite?

??

Spoo · #2 January 28th, 2001, 06:45 AM

I agree with you, however I think the AI empires should all form non-agression treaties (or keep any higher, existing treaties), rather than parterships. It seems somewhat unrealistic that two empires that have been at war since the begining of the game would become best buds just because neither of them likes you.

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Assume you have a 1kg squirrel
E=mc^2
E=1kg(3x10^8m/s)^2=9x10^16J
which, if I'm not mistaken, is equivilent to roughly a 50 megaton nuclear bomb.
Fear the squirrel.

ColdSteel · #3 January 28th, 2001, 07:14 AM

Hmmm, well how about military alliances then? That would seem to make sense when going against a common enemy.

Atrocities · #4 January 28th, 2001, 08:02 AM

I like your idea ColdSteel. I think it would be an excellent alteration of the game, and one that should be made. Perhaps you could send this idea to Malfador?

Blue Lord · #5 January 28th, 2001, 09:24 AM

It's a great idea, I'm having the same poblem with MegaEvil. I foe of 2 puny systems where I share both of them has a partnership with me, because he don't want's to be crushed (One of the times where the AI is smart) His mood had been murderous for atleast 75-100 turns. I kill a fleet of my second best player in the game, his score drops and MegaEvil go in. Now, the little empire losses it's senses and declare waron me. In the same turn my fighter squads single handly whiped out on system, I launch another fighter squad in his home system and whipe out a battlecruiser and a colony. He then surrenders. I would never had declared war on him, since my larg fleets was busy somewhere else, but did it. A smart guy should just lower the treaty, bot go to war just like that.

Q · #6 January 28th, 2001, 09:48 AM

This is a frequent problem with the AI's Blue Lord. They declare war without beeing prepared for it. And unfurtunately I think this will be quite hard to improve. I don't think the proposition of ColdSteel would make here any difference, other than that the small empire would seek military alliance treaties with the all the other empires. What would a human player do? Mine the colonies and warp points like mad, build as much fighters, satellites and weapon platforms as possible, wait till only few enemy ships are in your home system, check if you will still have enough resources without the trade, position your own attack fleet on any enemy colony in your sytem and then cancel the treaty or declare war. Not so easy to program I think.
As for the treaties the smaller empires should make with each other: It might be unrealistic that they form partnerships but it would be the best option, because a military alliance would give them no help against intelligence operations.

Barnacle Bill · #7 January 28th, 2001, 12:28 PM

quote:
Originally posted by Q:
What would a human player do? .... Not so easy to program I think.

I don't know...the latest edition of Starfire rules has a very extensive modelling of "Non-Player Race" behavior that is in the form of rules and die rolls against various numerical NPR personality traits. It looks like it would be pretty adaptable to SE4. Among many, many other things it covers the NPR deciding to go to war against you and delaying while it prepares, or until it resolves some other war in progress. It also has multiple "levels" of war which the NPR will choose with a die roll modified by its own numerical personality traits, what you have done and the circumstances. Off the top of my head, it sems like there are 4 levels ranging from just squabbling over a system to trying to exterminate you.