AI Improvement Mod (1.05 Extended Release)

[Icemania]

With 1.9.5.5 I had a similar crash which I reported in Tech Support. However, since using 1.9.5.6 Beta 2 I haven't had any trouble, as yet, with a lot of long test games. Which version are you playing Ikke?

Please note that from a Modding perspective we have no tools to diagnose these messages and determine if they are Mod related or not, or how to fix them. I've been careful to ensure the rules in the Modding Guide have been followed. There are some other undocumented rules I found out about the hard way, which involved crashes during galaxy generation, which required trial and error to find the root cause, and which were fixed before release. Galaxy generation crashes are most likely a mod related error. However, for crashes during the game, given the Modding Guide has been followed, as far as I can tell it's likely a developer responsibility to fix. That said, if it's my error, I'll be updating pronto.

So could you please report this in Tech Support with as much information as possible?

[Ikke]

Naw, my game said it was up to date, so I assumed it was. I got the game off steam, so I can't register the game on matrix's website (no key). Therefore, I cant access the beta updates which for some reason mandate registration.

Oh what would we do without the pirate bay to survive the customer hate of game publishers? I'll try updating it with the beta and get back to you.

[Icemania]

Thanks Ikke, let me know how you go.

[xepooqu80]

Naw, my game said it was up to date, so I assumed it was. I got the game off steam, so I can't register the game on matrix's website (no key). Therefore, I cant access the beta updates which for some reason mandate registration.

Hello Ikke!
Just for your informationi believe you can get beta patches directly from Steam without having to register to the matrix beta website.
In Steam there should be an option if you right click the game -> properties -> betas -> opt into beta
Let me know if this works for you

[Sithuk]

The steam beta option will download the latest beta that has been uploaded to steam. It won't necessarily give you the latest beta version. The latest patch is 1.9.5.6.beta2. The latest beta patch on steam is the previous patch 1.9.5.6.beta.

ORIGINAL: acantoni

Naw, my game said it was up to date, so I assumed it was. I got the game off steam, so I can't register the game on matrix's website (no key). Therefore, I cant access the beta updates which for some reason mandate registration.

Hello Ikke!
Just for your informationi believe you can get beta patches directly from Steam without having to register to the matrix beta website.
In Steam there should be an option if you right click the game -> properties -> betas -> opt into beta
Let me know if this works for you

[Mortimer14]

When I click on the "Extended 1.01 Release: Thursday August 7th 2014" link on page 1, I get taken to a "Mediafire" site where I get hit with adware, malware and some stupid driver manager software download.

I cannot find a valid link on that page to get the extended 1.01 release.

/rant

[ParagonExile]

ORIGINAL: Mortimer14

When I click on the "Extended 1.01 Release: Thursday August 7th 2014" link on page 1, I get taken to a "Mediafire" site where I get hit with adware, malware and some stupid driver manager software download.

I cannot find a valid link on that page to get the extended 1.01 release.

/rant

Cleanse yourself, my brother.

[CptDrake]

Thoroughly enjoyed a long game of Extended AI Improvement 1.01 today. Setting on Normal difficulty.

A few things to report (from what I can recall):

1 Fleet AI (on auto) would suddenly decide to head back to main world even though enemy still present. They did not need fuel. It could have been for 'upgrade'.

2 Occasionally some Troop Ships would not fire at enemies. Just attempt to flee, or hang around twisting and turning. I was surprised some turned up at a planet without other stronger ships. They were clearly totally inadequate for dealing with the combat.

3 All set to auto-build - Capital ships built up in the recommended build list during the early game, but did not get built for a long time, possibly 12+ ships (and mid-game) before the system decided to build all of them. There was plenty of cash available(easily >200,000). It seemed like they were either 'stuck' or waiting for a 'threshold' to pass before releasing them.

Excellent mod, superb piece of work. Very impressive. Thanks for your time and effort, and a very enjoyable game.

[Icemania]

Thanks for the feedback CptDrake, some really good observations. Give higher difficulty a try next time [;)]

ORIGINAL: CptDrake
1 Fleet AI (on auto) would suddenly decide to head back to main world even though enemy still present. They did not need fuel. It could have been for 'upgrade'.

I've seen the same behaviour and fully agree any enemies should be clear first.

Unfortunately there is nothing I can do to Mod here, I'll add some worlds in the Developer Support Wishlist in the OP.

ORIGINAL: CptDrake
2 Occasionally some Troop Ships would not fire at enemies. Just attempt to flee, or hang around twisting and turning. I was surprised some turned up at a planet without other stronger ships. They were clearly totally inadequate for dealing with the combat.

I've seen the same behaviour. Unfortunately there is nothing I can do to Mod here, I'll add some worlds in the Developer Support Wishlist in the OP.

ORIGINAL: CptDrake
3 All set to auto-build - Capital ships built up in the recommended build list during the early game, but did not get built for a long time, possibly 12+ ships (and mid-game) before the system decided to build all of them. There was plenty of cash available(easily >200,000). It seemed like they were either 'stuck' or waiting for a 'threshold' to pass before releasing them.

Fully agree. I've been trying to figure out what the trigger is but no luck so far. If anybody out there has any answers here please let me know!

[Icemania]

ORIGINAL: Mortimer14

When I click on the "Extended 1.01 Release: Thursday August 7th 2014" link on page 1, I get taken to a "Mediafire" site where I get hit with adware, malware and some stupid driver manager software download.

I cannot find a valid link on that page to get the extended 1.01 release.

/rant

For the Vanilla AI Improvement Mod I've used TinyUpload which seems very clean and easy. Unfortunately they have a 50MB limit, so I can't use it for Extended.

For the Extended AI Improvement Mod I've used Mediafire as it's been used by other long-term Modders such as Haree78 and it's free for what is needed here. I've used Mediafire to download various Mods without difficulty, just close pop-ups, sometimes play a video and enter a security code, and always had a valid download link to use. Then again as ParagonExile suggested I also use MalwareBytes. While it's not my area of speciality, as someone who has had Cybersecurity experts in my teams, trust me you really really really want to have a tool like MalwareBytes installed.

I recently downloaded the Warhammer 40k Mod which looked clean and easy to download with Dropbox, so let me have a look at that option.

Keep in mind this is a voluntary effort in my own spare time, so if you want to say nothing positive and just rant, don't expect me to be as helpful next time, expect Bad Icemania.

[Icemania]

Does this work?

Extended AI Improvement Mod 1.01 Link

[Sithuk]

Icemania: I'm giving the mod a go at the moment. I'm still early in the game but for the reduction in micromanagement of research and design alone it's a must have mod. I feel I only need to monitor the AI's choices, with the occasional tweak. I don't have to spend as much time constantly re-designing ships and bases as your templates are well made. Very impressive work.

I'm curious, do you believe an AI Mod game is winnable on extreme without using the tech for cash trading exploit?

[Blackstork]

Hey mate , I asked this in beyond thread but I will ask again here perhaps you or someone will have idea... How to force race with 200 trpp strength (Dlakars) to rush independents and neighbors with troop invasions. They are designed to be horrendous man-eater worm powerhouse but ai hesitate and wait a lot before he gets invasions started. Its grandly effective for them, have any ideas? Beyond merged 100% with ai 1.01 but aside from optimizing their 130% size designs and adding 1 troop compartment on frigs and dessies I didn't nothing above the merge. Perhaps there more things that could prioritize rush ground invasion?

[Icemania]

ORIGINAL: Blackstork
Hey mate , I asked this in beyond thread but I will ask again here perhaps you or someone will have idea... How to force race with 200 trpp strength (Dlakars) to rush independents and neighbors with troop invasions. They are designed to be horrendous man-eater worm powerhouse but ai hesitate and wait a lot before he gets invasions started. Its grandly effective for them, have any ideas? Beyond merged 100% with ai 1.01 but aside from optimizing their 130% size designs and adding 1 troop compartment on frigs and dessies I didn't nothing above the merge. Perhaps there more things that could prioritize rush ground invasion?

I see that you have already increased "WarWillingness" and "SubjugationPriority" for the Dlakar which would have been my top suggestions. I'm not sure what else you can do that would be directly effective. Maybe put WarWillingness to Max and see what happens. Or increase TroopRecruit levels. Or decrease InvasionOverkillFactor a little. Reduce Friendliness and Caution closer to the limit of 50?

[Icemania]

ORIGINAL: Sithuk
Icemania: I'm giving the mod a go at the moment. I'm still early in the game but for the reduction in micromanagement of research and design alone it's a must have mod. I feel I only need to monitor the AI's choices, with the occasional tweak. I don't have to spend as much time constantly re-designing ships and bases as your templates are well made. Very impressive work.

I'm curious, do you believe an AI Mod game is winnable on extreme without using the tech for cash trading exploit?

Thanks Sithuk.

In answer to your question ... Yes ... I won on Extreme in a test game before release. I plan to do an AAR showing this at a later stage. I assume ParagonExile also avoided diplomatic exploits in earlier comments as well. But my strategy is different to Vanilla and my games take a lot more time to win.

[Blackstork]

sure, i think i missed overkill factor.... they could attack with 0.5 even heh
I hope that will do improvement too, if it will work bit better than its now this will be special race to play as and to deal with
On extreme the fact they auto-enslave will balance their growth as AI

[Mortimer14]

ORIGINAL: Icemania

ORIGINAL: Mortimer14

When I click on the "Extended 1.01 Release: Thursday August 7th 2014" link on page 1, I get taken to a "Mediafire" site where I get hit with adware, malware and some stupid driver manager software download.

I cannot find a valid link on that page to get the extended 1.01 release.

/rant

For the Vanilla AI Improvement Mod I've used TinyUpload which seems very clean and easy. Unfortunately they have a 50MB limit, so I can't use it for Extended.

For the Extended AI Improvement Mod I've used Mediafire as it's been used by other long-term Modders such as Haree78 and it's free for what is needed here. I've used Mediafire to download various Mods without difficulty, just close pop-ups, sometimes play a video and enter a security code, and always had a valid download link to use. Then again as ParagonExile suggested I also use MalwareBytes. While it's not my area of speciality, as someone who has had Cybersecurity experts in my teams, trust me you really really really want to have a tool like MalwareBytes installed.

I recently downloaded the Warhammer 40k Mod which looked clean and easy to download with Dropbox, so let me have a look at that option.

Keep in mind this is a voluntary effort in my own spare time, so if you want to say nothing positive and just rant, don't expect me to be as helpful next time, expect Bad Icemania.

I'm using AVG anti-virus which tells me when I'm about to download malware.

[PsyKoSnake]

Effectively, there is a problem with the download for Extended version

1. With Google Chrome, the dowload never start.
2. With explorer, it detect a malware.

Icemaniam can you upload the file on the same site as the Vanilla version. (It's ok I saw your new link, maybe changing the link in the front page for the new one would be better.)

Mediafire dont work really well.

If i remove the ad blocking program, it dowload crap.

This link work: https://www.dropbox.com/s/areap3m2ohn7f ... 201.01.zip

[ParagonExile]

ORIGINAL: Icemania

Thanks Sithuk.

In answer to your question ... Yes ... I won on Extreme in a test game before release. I plan to do an AAR showing this at a later stage. I assume ParagonExile also avoided diplomatic exploits in earlier comments as well. But my strategy is different to Vanilla and my games take a lot more time to win.

Yes I did, I avoid using exploits against opponents that can't also do them.

The steamroller strategy is basically unbeatable, the AI just can't retaliate well enough or concentrate its forces to defend.

[Mortimer14]

ORIGINAL: PsyKoSnake

Effectively, there is a problem with the download for Extended version

1. With Google Chrome, the dowload never start.
2. With explorer, it detect a malware.

Icemaniam can you upload the file on the same site as the Vanilla version. (It's ok I saw your new link, maybe changing the link in the front page for the new one would be better.)

Mediafire dont work really well.

If i remove the ad blocking program, it dowload crap.

This link work: https://www.dropbox.com/s/areap3m2ohn7f ... 201.01.zip

The dropbox link worked well.

thank you.


Also, I apologize for my previous rant. I tend to get annoyed when a link that I should be able to trust takes me for a ride.
It was my fault for not reading all 14 pages of this posting to find a recent link.