AI Mines research (bug?)

Rollo · #1 August 7th, 2001, 10:38 AM

I have found something odd, when testing the AI that I am doing right now. After the AI has researched Mines 1 it adds Mines 2-5 to the research queue at some later time even though it is not supposed to (not until much later). I have at least triple checked the research.txt file and even removed higher levels of mines technology completely, but it still add mines 2-5 to the queue. Has anyone experienced the same? Is this a bug?

BTW, speaking of bugs and the research file. To all newbie AI makers (like myself): The parameters in the research file are not working. The AI will always have 4 projects in the queue no matter what you do. Knowing this in advance, might save you some frustration. (I found it out the hard way

).
I assume this bug is already known by MM, since it has been discussed in the forum. Hopefully they will squash it soon, as it will make the AI research much more effective and the AI stronger.

Rollo

dumbluck · #2 August 7th, 2001, 11:42 AM

it has been around for a long time
its on his "to do" list
it has been talked about, just not recently

Q · #3 August 7th, 2001, 11:58 AM

I am not sure about this but I believe I read that the AI overrides the reasearch file when he is confroted with mines in order to research mine sweepers.
But what's wrong with that? Why do you want to limit the AI research in that field?
If you want the AI to use only small mines you can specify the maximum size of the mine in the construction vehicle text file: set the value to 10kT.

dumbluck · #4 August 7th, 2001, 12:25 PM

Check this thread for more info:
http://www.shrapnelgames.com/ubb/For...ML/003237.html

Rollo · #5 August 7th, 2001, 12:55 PM

Thank you all for your answers.

quote:
Originally posted by Q:
But what's wrong with that? Why do you want to limit the AI research in that field?
If you want the AI to use only small mines you can specify the maximum size of the mine in the construction vehicle text file: set the value to 10kT.

Well, I was going to make the AI research better levels of mines to improve sweeping later. I really don't mind mines2 being added, but it is just annoying to see the AI add mines3 (and even 4 and 5) to the queue, because that is pretty expensive research, where mines1 and 2 could do the job also. IMHO bigger hulls with more space to stuff in sweeping components improves sweeping just as well, but also makes all other ships better and is much cheaper.

Thanks, for the link dumbluck. I was pretty sure this has been talked about before and did a search before opening this new topic. Oddly enough the search for "AI Mines" didn't find that topic which you linked.

Okay, I guess I have to live with it (but I'm not happy).

Rollo

Rollo · #6 August 7th, 2001, 02:09 PM

Okay, just one example to get my point across.
I just looked at my savegame. It is currently in a stage where the AI is researching Mines3 instead of Light Cruisers due to the override. The current design for the mine sweeper has seven mine sweeping components (all engines and mine sweeping), so it can sweep 14 mines. If the research for mines3 is finished it will sweep 21 mines. If the AI would research Light Cruisers like it is supposed to, it would build a new mine sweeper with ten components, thus able to sweep 20 mines. So that equals out pretty much. Problem is, of course, that Mines3 costs 150000 (225000 on medium) and Light Cruisers costs 40000 (80000 on medium). So if the AI would stick to my research plan it would get the same effect for only 27% (35%) of the price plus the effect that not only mine sweepers are improved (which I hadn't really in mind when researching Light Cruiser), but all other ships as well.

Rollo

PS: I hate this, get rid off it. IMHO, it's not a feature, but a bug.

Master Belisarius · #7 August 7th, 2001, 05:09 PM

I have a problem like that... and have a question: have you researched Explosive Warheads III, before research Mines I?

Rollo · #8 August 7th, 2001, 05:37 PM

quote:
Originally posted by Master Belisarius:
I have a problem like that... and have a question: have you researched Explosive Warheads III, before research Mines I?

No, I have Warheads 3 researched later than mines 1. I use it as a "filler tech" to get the important stuff done faster.

Rollo

Baron Munchausen · #9 August 7th, 2001, 08:24 PM

Well, in my personal mod the mine sweeper is in it's own tech area seperate from mines. I wonder what the AI does with that? Does it go for mines regardless or is it smart enough to research mine sweepers? Hmm. This is a much better arrangement, IMO, if the AI understands it. Why should you have to research both mines and how to destroy them? The mine sweepers tech is cheaper than mines as it should be, too.

Master Belisarius · #10 August 7th, 2001, 10:14 PM

Hehehe, Rollo, I was using tech as filler too.
Try moving the Expolsive Warhead II and III later in the tech tree (after Mines 2 and Mines 3).