Strange Agoraphobic AI

Litcube · #1 February 26th, 2004, 06:06 AM

1.91.

I've noticed that Krsk is right. If I allow these races to have a scout ship, they'll scout ahead, and *will* expand.

Thing that gets me, is that these two freak races seem to be eager. They will expand without any scout / attack ship.

There's clearly a setting within the race files that allows this "fearless colony ship scout" behaviour.

What is it?

Krsqk · #2 February 26th, 2004, 06:48 AM

Ancient Race racial trait? If you'd like, you could email me the AI files for one of the aberrant races and one of the normal races (text only, please--I don't really need the pics on my dialup connection

) and I'll take a look.

Litcube · #3 February 26th, 2004, 07:07 AM

Bingo.

You're the man, Krsqk. That was it. The only two that were doing anything were the Ancient Races.

Loser · #4 February 27th, 2004, 02:54 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Krsqk:
AIs only explore using designs designated as attack ships; no other types will use unexplored warp points.

Whoa, does this mean that if I build an AI and give them only Colony ships they will colonize the freak out of their homes system but not ever step outside?

That's great. I know exactly what to do with that.

What if I don't give them Attack Ships, but instead Boarding and Kamakazi Ships with attack-style designs?

Would this allow them to have an agressive and built up fleet wihtout ever making it out of their home system?

If they are given star charts, assuming they accept, will they follow those charts out of their home system and expand along the given route?

There is so much possibility here. If this works it means I can have a Bottled Demon AI. Don't let them out!

[edit] What about Carriers or Drone Carriers or Sat Layers? Do these explore while the AI is in any mode?

[ February 26, 2004, 13:25: Message edited by: Loser ]

Baron Munchausen · #5 February 26th, 2004, 04:55 PM

Bottled demon is right! Sooner or later they would be contacted by another AI, and when they reach the level of 'partnership' with some other AI they will get all the maps that their partner has and start pouring out of their home system. An interesting variation on the 'neutral' in that they will react more like you would expect a race to react when discovering it is possible to leave their system.

Effectively, you will have a new racial trait -- 'expansionist' -- which you assign or remove by the use of Attack ships in their build lists. A 'normal' AI is effectively expansionist, while AIs without the exploring ships are not.

Loser · #6 February 26th, 2004, 05:41 PM

For the purposes of the mod that I will probably never produce, I do not intend this AI to make Partnerships. I think I can keep them from doing so, I believe it is done with other AIs.

This particular race would be given some very potent technology, sort of a Here There be Dragons variation on the Space Monsters, only they might be a little more communicative.

My previous plan was to just give them very little supplies, so the ships sould be called back before they could get to far, though that would make it possible for them to spread a little, and might keep them from colonizing their home system, depending on planet placement.

If this works the way it sounds, and espeically if Boarders, Kamakazi, Carriers, Drone Carriers, Mine Layers, and Sat Layers will not traverse unexplored warp points, I van include angels and devils, heavens and hells, in that mod that I will probably never produce.

Also, by giving away the right System Maps, a player could direct these monstrosities into the systems of his enemies. He had just better be prepared to never make use of those systems himself.

[ February 26, 2004, 15:54: Message edited by: Loser ]

Loser · #7 February 26th, 2004, 05:59 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Baron Munchausen:
Effectively, you will have a new racial trait -- 'expansionist' -- which you assign or remove by the use of Attack ships in their build lists. A 'normal' AI is effectively expansionist, while AIs without the exploring ships are not.

Actually, I think the trait is more on the other side, and I would call it Hesitant. The AI is not willing to step through any Warp Point until it knows what is on the other side. Even seeing a ship come through is not good enough, they have to be given a picture of hte other side.

I think I'd like to see some decent AIs set up this way, sort of Neutral++. They'd need a different tech progression in addition to different ship designs. I mean, they're still weak, but if you're going to play with Neutrals anyway, might as well make them a little more interesting.