Most Impressive

[Richard Link]

Played the Demo, and was really impressed by the quality of the AI in both attack and defense.

Would you care to talk about how that`s programmed ? Does it key off distance, or threat, or an area that the Human players units move into.

Is there any plans to include a Random Mission generator or an Editor to allow user
created missions in the future ?

I think you have a winner here and I will buy the full Game.

[Brian Gantt]

Thanks

The AI basically uses the Kitchen sink approach. There are lots of different systems checking things, so it's a little too simple to say it keys off distance, or threat etc. The AI is broken down into four different levels: Unit AI, Squad AI, Group AI, and Enemy general AI. Each level is controlled by the level above but also has some level of autonomy as well.

The map editor will be released. This tool will also let you change units around as well.

[Cpt. Meph]

How will this Map Editor work? Will it be tile-based like seen in Earth 2150, or more along conventional Editors like Worldcraft or UnrealEd?

[Brian Gantt]

The map maker should be released fairly soon, we're doing some beta testing on it and its manual before releasing it.

The map editor looks a lot like the game since its built from the same code base. Editing is full wysiwyg, and happens directly on the terrain. I guess it would more closely match a tile-based editor than a standard full 3D editor.

Here's a real condensed description of a typical map maker session:

When you start the map maker, you see a blank flat landscape in front of you. First I switch to elevations mode and start forming the terrain by clicking on it and dragging up to raise parts or dragging down to lower. After the terrain has been formed I switch to texture mode and place the various textures for such things as grassland, forest, road, etc.. This is basically tile based. I then switch to terrain type mode and match up terrain types to the textures. Then it's off to unit mode where I pick units from a list and place then on the map. Next group mode where I pre-group the units. After this the basics of the map are done. Next I start setting up the map for the AI. First the map is broken down into areas, in Area mode. The computer handles most of this. After areas I set up strategy for the enemy AI in the routes and ridges modes. After this the map pretty much done with a few little things left like setting the objectives, time length, briefing files, etc..

[mjanecki]

Very good game, since this is 09/14/01 I was wondering if there is an update to when the editor will be avaiable and will it cost anything.
Mark Janecki

[Brian Gantt]

It will be released soon, meaning less than a month. I’ll ask Tim and Richard about a set date. The program is ready, it’s the same one that was used by me to made all the scenarios and campaigns in the game. Right now, its more of a point of beta testing the manual, than the program. There will be no cost for the map maker, of course. Also I am working on an update that includes several new units and scenarios than will also be given out, at no cost, to our Users.