Question for Beta Testers on the new AI

Baron Munchausen · #1 February 11th, 2001, 06:08 PM

quote:
Originally posted by Emperor Zodd:
Great Baron.

If you set the AI to low bonus(2x),don't you think that might be too much of an increase now that no bonus is tougher?

Wouldn't 1.5x,2x,3x be better for low,mid,and high bonus'?

Well, it depends on the instructions the AI is using in the various config files. I've been modding my files, and I seem to have hit the colony config pretty well. Almost all of the AI empires have more resources than I have. But I'm well ahead in research and intel generation. Maybe it has to do with the better organization that I can do as a 'human' while the AIs are just mechanically following the scripts. If the AIs were smarter about this or had the "low" bonus of doubled production I'd be in deep trouble, I think. But others might do better and some actually enjoy the challenge of fighting against a dramatically more powerful opponent. Currently, I'm in a three-way contest with the Praetorians and the Xiati for #1 spot in the scores ranking. Having to struggle to win is enough competition for me, but if you want to use the AI bonuses and fight a lop-sided contest I guess you can.

Emperor Zodd · #2 February 11th, 2001, 08:15 PM

Baron, start a game using low bonus and tell us how you do against the AI.

Emperor Zodd · #3 February 17th, 2001, 07:28 PM

Baron,have you tried using low bonus yet?
If so,how strong is the AI?

Talenn · #4 February 17th, 2001, 08:38 PM

I'm starting the feel the same way. Even without the changes from the new patch (I'm not a tester), I have the AI doing EXTREMELY well with a Low Bonus..too well in some regards. It can be beaten, but not by engaging it's ships head on. It simply has too much of a tech lead the whole game for that to work.

But without the bonus, the AI is still impotent. It lags considerably behind in tech and production and is easily overwhelmed even when I (or other players) have a 'bad' start.

So, I'd also like to see an 'in between' level of bonus. Something along the order 1.5 might be about right as mentioned below. This would give it a good chance at staying even or a bit ahead of the humans without making it so it doesnt seem to even be playing by the same rules.

Thanx,
Talenn

Baron Munchausen · #5 February 17th, 2001, 09:19 PM

I'm getting quite enough challenge without the bonus, thank you. There are several AI empires with MUCH higher scores in resources. It's just my higher research/intel production and my more focused strategies that let me take them on. The structure of the game that makes it so hard to 'blitz' anyone is a GOOD thing when the AI is more powerful. You have time to think and respond to it. In an "open space" system like MOO you just die when the AI decides to run its stack of battleships across all of your colonies...

Only a little more tweaking to add some more focused/specialized strategies and this AI will be quite a challenge for anyone.