An analysis of the AI_Anger files in 1.19

UmberGryphon · #1 December 21st, 2000, 09:04 PM

Well, since nobody else has done it I decided I needed to go into the AI_Anger files and describe how the various computer players now differ in what makes them angry.

All the analysis below is relative to Default_AI_Anger.txt. I think there are some variables that aren't shown there, as I have caused a race to go to war with me just by flying a scout through their space before I had a treaty with them (even though that race had "Per No Treaty Ship" set to 0). Also, having a system claimed by both you and them seems to cause anger, but that isn't shown either.

The things that show up in the files that make a default AI race angry (in order of how angry it makes them) are: being Mega Evil, demanding their surrender, declaring war, beating them in combat, refusing/breaking treaties, asking for gifts/tributes, surrendering (?), doing intelligence projects against them, refusing trades/gifts/tributes/demands, demanding that they remove ships/colonies, demanding that they leave planets, asking them to end wars or break treaties with others, losing to them in combat (!), and having planets they want. A combat ending in stalemate does not make them angrier, even though winning and losing both do, so if you want peace, go for the stalemate. The things that make them happy are: granting independence to colonies (?), accepting demands, accepting treaties, and giving gifts/tributes.

The most important field is "Regular Decrease", which determines how much that race's anger decreases every turn. The default is -3 (three points happier every turn). If this is set to -2, the race takes forever to forgive and forget and I call them an "angry race"--all such races have a "Minimum Anger" higher than 0, so that they are incapable of being Brotherly. If it's set at -4, the race puts up with a lot and I call them a "forgiving race". Also, if simply communicating with them in ANY way makes them angry, I call them "xenophobic". (The Sergetti went to war with me solely because I repeatedly asked for a non-aggresion pact.)

So here are the ways in which the various AI races differ from the default, in alphabetical order:

CueCappa, Eee, Phong, Praetorian, Toltayan, UkraTal: Forgiving race. Anger from combat is slightly lower than usual.

Abbidon, Drushocka, Norak, Sallega, Terran: Identical to default.

Cryslonite, Fazrah, Jraenar, Krill, Piundon, XiChung, Xiati: Angry race. No-treaty ships in their space make them angry. Anger from combat is about 50% higher. Anger from refusing treaties is doubled.

Amonkrie, Sergetti: Angry xenophobic race. No-treaty ships in their space make them furious. Anger from combat is doubled.

Here's hoping others find this information useful.

Daynarr · #2 December 21st, 2000, 09:34 PM

This is great stuff. You might even consider to put it in txt file for d/l.

warp nine · #3 December 21st, 2000, 10:51 PM

I'm testing Anger and Politics AI files for Star Trek races (still Demo). Anger seems pretty straightforward, but Politics needs a lot of tuning to get the personalities right. I'm wondering whether anyone has gained any insights into the various settings. If you have any ideas or would like to help work on Federation, Ferengi, Cardassian, Romulan, Klingon, Borg, 8472, or Vulcan send me an E and I'll show you what I've got so far.

Tampa_Gamer · #4 December 22nd, 2000, 12:04 AM

UmberGryphon - this is great stuff. I have not had the time yet to do a comparative analysis, but what you said about the Amon'Krie makes a situation I had Last night with them make sense. Please take Daynarr's advice and copy it to a .txt file and post it in the download section (otherwise it well get lost within a few days).

Atrocities · #5 December 22nd, 2000, 12:07 AM

I have spent a lot of time working on the very samething. I am no master programer, so my work is my work. However, if I find a system that works well for all the Star Trek Races, I will let you know.

Additionally, I know of another two guys who are also working on the samething. The race is on.

mafia · #6 December 22nd, 2000, 12:14 AM

I accept demands all the time and don't follow through. Mainly they ask me to break a treaty with their "...most hated enemy." I accept their demand in writing but don't break the treaty. They seem to stay brotherly alot longer than if you deny their demand. Seems like blatantly lying to them should produce more anger than refusing.

Do general Messages produce happiness?

-m

UmberGryphon · #7 December 22nd, 2000, 01:20 AM

quote:
Originally posted by mafia:

Do general Messages produce happiness?

No. "Receive General Message" has straight zeros across the board. You could reduce anger with small gifts, though--even the xenophobes like gifts.

Jubala · #8 December 22nd, 2000, 02:03 AM

Would be cool to make a race that found gifts insulting and got made when you offered it to them.

Daynarr · #9 December 22nd, 2000, 02:23 AM

Umber, I have already saved your post as txt file for myself. If you agree, I can post it in download section for you, so others can get it.

UmberGryphon · #10 December 22nd, 2000, 02:42 AM

quote:
Originally posted by Daynarr:
Umber, I have already saved your post as txt file for myself. If you agree, I can post it in download section for you, so others can get it.

When you talk about the "download section", exactly where are you referring to? The scenario/mod archive? Doesn't seem like it'd belong there, as it's neither a scenario nor a mod.

If you tell me where it should be placed for posterity, I'll do it myself.

I'm just glad that people are finding my research useful....