New PBW game : "Mediocrity"

Alneyan · #1 December 10th, 2003, 07:42 PM

I would rather give some areas under AI direction while leaving other fields outside of the AI rule. What seems to bother Slynky is the AI tendency to break treaties with every single neighbour, and I have to concur with him on this one. Having five wars going on when you take over an Empire can be somewhat annoying. I don't mind if the AI is attempting to build some defences, but I don't want these non-entities to even look at the diplomacy screen.

Or perhaps it is already possible to do so with a few tweaks in the AI files? I cannot say as I haven't delved into these mazes regulating what the AI will *try* to do once left alone.

gravey101 · #2 December 10th, 2003, 07:55 PM

Slynky it is a shame you have soured on multi-player. I too have endured the same frustrations that you have, but probably to a lesasr extent. Over the years I have deveoped a pretty good feel for who is reliable and who isn't. I wont join a game where I only know 1 or 2 of the players. If I know that 75% or so are probably ok then I will go for it.

gravey101 · #3 December 10th, 2003, 07:58 PM

teal, I think you played it fine - I just got lucky. I managed to catch your fleet on that WP. I was one turn away from destruction. 9 times out of 10 you had me beaten.

[ December 10, 2003, 18:00: Message edited by: gravey101 ]

Slynky · #4 December 10th, 2003, 08:11 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by geoschmo:
Actually if a player is going to drop out of a game and no replacment is available I'd rather they NOT set the "AI make no changes" option. As inept as the AI is, an AI that does nothing is worse. It unbalences the game because whoever is lucky enough to be in position to "harvest" it's empire will get a significant leg up on the rest. Of course this is true to a lesser degree even if the AI is doing it's best, but at least then it can be a nusiance to the players if not an actual factor in teh game.

I think I disagree. When the treaty is dropped, my colony ships killed, and my planets attacked, I can tell you right away, I'd MUCH rather the AI did nothing. NOW, if the position is not filled soon and the AI plays at its usual weakness, then I (and others) can decide to carve it up and I can tell you it's much easier to do when I can prepare for it and drop the treaty myself (when I'm ready).

So when it comes to a person dropping from the game, in my opinion, to keep the game going as truly as it was, the least harm should be to those empires allied with it. Any long-term effects of the drop can be dealt with much easier that way.

mottlee · #5 December 10th, 2003, 08:13 PM

Geee....I guess I will take my ships and planets and go home! Was my 1st pbw game and at least I did not die!

Loser · #6 December 10th, 2003, 08:27 PM

Planets? You have planets? I thought we'd already addressed that issue.

And the game isn't entirely over. I don't know about the other players, but I'll be very disappointed if the victorious conquerors do not make some attempt to clean up one particular little threat in their backyard.

Bring it.

Slynky · #7 December 10th, 2003, 08:34 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by geoschmo:
Actually if a player is going to drop out of a game and no replacment is available I'd rather they NOT set the "AI make no changes" option. As inept as the AI is, an AI that does nothing is worse.

Actually, not sure but, the switch stops the AI from making "major" changes. They still build ships and colonize, right? At least it seems that way to me. Here is what the manual says:

This is used when you are playing a simultaneous game. Normally, if you do not submit your turn file when the host processes your turn, the computer will automatically take over your turn and play it for you. Now it may be that you don't want the AI to make any major changes to your empire while you're away. Turning this option on means that if the AI does take over control of your empire, then it won't make many change.