All developers out there...and sorry if this is long.....
I'm not a programmer, but if I were, this is the exact type of game where I would think a true AI....one that learns from experience....could be incredibly useful. I know in the older versions, Seti had no navy. Therefore I held the advantage after the 2 games it took me to figure that out. I learned from the experience of what they would and wouldn't do, and could make all future decisions based on that. Similarly, Std AI would never be able to defend air units, and wouldn't even use them. If I survived early (not usually that hard) I could easily win. Again, I learned from experience and took advantage.
I'm sure such an undertaking would take an incredible amount of time and effort. And obviously the end user would need to play several games before some of his tendencies were learned. But doesn't this type of game seem like a perfect place for a true AI? Instead of one that just has a predefined building order? My predefined research order is simply pottery and wheel. And my build order is 2 militias and a granary. After that it really depends on what I have seen in my explorations, and what AI's, if any, I've run into.
I unfortunately don't know enough about programming to know exactly how much this would take, and Steffen's efforts and the efforts of all the AI developers out there are certainly tremendously appreciated. But if there were anything I'd like to see, it's a true AI that's actually trying to beat me....just like I'm trying to do to them. No matter what level I play on, I have an advantage, since I know what they will do after only a handful of games. I shouldn't have to play on the new insane difficulty level just to even the field.....that doesn't level the field. It makes me the equivalent of a real life small colony with no natural resources fighting the likes of every nuclear power in the world. And even if I'm the more skilled player, it will take an awful lot of luck to win on a large map with several opponents under these conditions.
I know this would be a huge project. And ultimately the end users will all have somewhat different experiences. But over the long run.....think of how useful this could be. And think of the replayability value. Would it be possible though? I hope someone at least considers it, maybe not a completely full AI, but at least in terms of military tactics, or the kinds of technologies I'm looking for, etc. Again, I already know more or less what the AIs will do before they do.
Posted 11-Jul-08 21:00 by newb1