AI Campaign => For a Challenging AI opponent

[QBrigid]

Originally posted by JLS:
AIC v4.12 with FQM and the full updated AI Players will be out in about a week, thanks guys.

JLS, I would like to help beta test this FQM add-on release

[oleg]

I have some comments about Stellar Manipulation.

First of all, I concede its current state is something of my design and wishes. I complained about two things:
First, old human tech SM gave 3, 4, 6 LY per level for warp openers. I thought it is not long enough, JLS obliged and changed values to 4,6 and 10 LY.
Second, I complained about _VERY_ slow expansion of agressive races in non-warp games. Once again, JLS accomodated my wishes and lowed SM cost by 50%.

AI plays very well now IMHO. But, and I mean BUT, the combination of those two tweaks made human SM very robust. In the game I play with latest settins, it is very easy for humans to get very effective expansion tool.

I suggest to restor the values of human SM warp openers to 3,4 and 6 LY. It should't be a problem given the new cheap research cost !

Just MHO, may be i'm too harsh on feloow humans

[JLS]

Oleg we will give 30LY @ sm1 and 50LY @ sm2 a spin with Fyrons FQM add-on. I will have the files to you soon

FYI open warp was in AIC Version 3.xx 30LY/50LY and always 100LY at sm3.

QB suggested tiny planet create at sm1 then small CP at sm2; this works well in conjunction with FQM add-on for AIC, any thoughts about this change?

[ November 12, 2003, 21:32: Message edited by: JLS ]

[JLS]

LAST chance on any setting changes affecting the AI, I start the AI update soon

[oleg]

Yes, my mistake, it was always 10 at SM 3

So, FQM will be a part of AIC now ? Good, but _watch out_ for starting HW settings - medium/large moons will expose one of the remaining SE bugs !

[JLS]

What se4 bug are you highlighting Oleg?

AIC will have all its traditional maps plus an additional Player regenerated Centurion map

FQM will be better then 90% independent from AIC and all the help is needed to balance all the portage kinks with FQM to AIC, with the following few Versions

[ November 12, 2003, 22:03: Message edited by: JLS ]

[Fyron]

So, FQM will be a part of AIC now ? Good, but _watch out_ for starting HW settings - medium/large moons will expose one of the remaining SE bugs !

How long has it been since you Last played FQM? That has been fixed for a long, long time. There are no large moons, and the few that have medium moons can not be used as home systems. So, you only encounter the bug with bad HW starts.

JLS:
If SE4 selects a planet that happens to be a moon as a homeworld, it will isntead use the planet that moon orbits as the home, keeping the planet's atmosphere, size and type and not changing it to be that of the race that will live there as normal. But, this is never an issue with average or good HW starts in FQM, only bad. Canning all those lovely small moons is, quite frankly, not an option I have ever been willing to consider.

[ November 12, 2003, 23:23: Message edited by: Imperator Fyron ]

[JLS]

Originally posted by Imperator Fyron:
Canning all those lovely small moons is, quite frankly, not an option I have ever been willing to consider.

Agreed.
Fyron, FQM is absolutely beautiful and detailed; I have been absorbed in it all week.

[ November 12, 2003, 23:29: Message edited by: JLS ]

[QBrigid]

Originally posted by JLS:

What are your thoughts in respect to the new Char/Trait Costs and the Culture modifiers so we can finalize the settings before the next Version?

Do you feel there should be a Science Characteristic or any Changes?
There may also be a reduction in the Colonizer Techs to 400 from 500 to balance some no-warp games.
- - -
I am leaning towards this change in culture:
Berzerkers
Production := -5
Research := -15

Artisans
Happiness := 6

Renegades
Happiness := 3
What do you all think?

Alneyan's Characteristics seem perfect.

Berzerkers = good change for AIC.
Artisans, Renegades Happiness = I would leave this at PvK's settings.

A reduction in the Colonizer Techs at 400 to balance some no-warp games, is my idea. I like it

[ November 12, 2003, 12:01: Message edited by: QBrigid ]

[pathfinder]

I am using AIC with FQM and so far no problems at all. The small atmosphere moons are a VERY nice aspect IMHO.

Only thing me gonna do is try and get rid of damaging warp points....cause ah just don't likes 'em...