Distant Worlds: The AI; let's be frank.

[LarryP]

There are a lot of little touches in DW. The other factions communicate quite often, whether to ask for a negotiation which are many, or to declare war. It is a very busy game with messages from the pirates, other races, your own citizens ticked off at high taxes, your advisers, and general information. Of course, you can filter which messages you want to view or not, but regardless, they all go through the message display at the top of the screen so you can always work with them.

That makes for a personable game, more so than any other I have played. Getting a game to have personality is hard, but this game has one. If I did not like this game, I would simply not post about it. However, the more I play it, the more I am impressed and I have played it since June of 2009. And I am still learning more every time I play. [:)]

[Duckfang]

Can any of the testers (or Elliot [;)]) confirm whether the AI cheats or not?

I know that often in strategy games the AI is allowed to cheat a little with resources, or research and what have you to give it that little edge over a player. Does the AI cheat in DW?

If so, does it cheat on all difficulty settings, just the highest ones, or what?

One of the things I quite liked about GalCiv2 was that the AI (as far as I know) on normal difficulty settings was subject to all the same restrictions as the player. [:)]

[Wade1000]

Music to my ears! I love strategy games where I can get "pwned" by the computer if I'm not careful.

Agreed!

Also, I admit I got a good chuckle out of the "pirate faction joins your empire" message. As Tycow said, it's little touches like this that really give a game character, and can make the difference between a merely good game and a great game. I'm looking forward to Distant Worlds more than ever now!

There are a lot of little touches in DW. The other factions communicate quite often, whether to ask for a negotiation which are many, or to declare war. It is a very busy game with messages from the pirates, other races, your own citizens ticked off at high taxes, your advisers, and general information. Of course, you can filter which messages you want to view or not, but regardless, they all go through the message display at the top of the screen so you can always work with them.

That makes for a personable game, more so than any other I have played. Getting a game to have personality is hard, but this game has one. If I did not like this game, I would simply not post about it. However, the more I play it, the more I am impressed and I have played it since June of 2009. And I am still learning more every time I play.

Sweet! I love games that have personalized touches to them like this in diplomacy, exploration, research, etcetera.
Although, it's more a feature then part of the AI.

[cdbeck]

Nice choice Larry P! There are lots of neat little things like this, you guys will be excited when you get to experience them!

[Sarissofoi]

ORIGINAL: Duckfang

Can any of the testers (or Elliot [;)]) confirm whether the AI cheats or not?

I know that often in strategy games the AI is allowed to cheat a little with resources, or research and what have you to give it that little edge over a player. Does the AI cheat in DW?

If so, does it cheat on all difficulty settings, just the highest ones, or what?

One of the things I quite liked about GalCiv2 was that the AI (as far as I know) on normal difficulty settings was subject to all the same restrictions as the player. [:)]

This is good question.
Is AI cheat? And how? And when?

[elliotg]

ORIGINAL: Duckfang
Can any of the testers (or Elliot [;)]) confirm whether the AI cheats or not?

I know that often in strategy games the AI is allowed to cheat a little with resources, or research and what have you to give it that little edge over a player. Does the AI cheat in DW?

If so, does it cheat on all difficulty settings, just the highest ones, or what?

One of the things I quite liked about GalCiv2 was that the AI (as far as I know) on normal difficulty settings was subject to all the same restrictions as the player. [:)]

The AI for other empires does not cheat. They play under the same restrictions/limitations that you do with no extra bonuses.

Pirates are a bit different, they do some cheating - but only a little [:)] They're pirates after all [;)]

[Sarissofoi]

Haha. Great info about pitrates:).
BTW Is on harder difficulty levels AI have tendencies to gang on player?
Or at all levels their main interest is their interest?

[Gertjan]

You have already played the game since June 2009 [X(] I wish I had this opportunity.

I really liked this pirate example. Q: Do parts of other races also move over to your empire if they wish to defect?

Q: Is there also a united nations type of institution in which various empires vote on resolutions?

[Sarissofoi]

Becoze game lack diplomatic victory I dont think so that there will be Un or senat or something like that.

[LarryP]

ORIGINAL: Wade1000

Although, it's more a feature then part of the AI.

Doesn't AI stand for Artificial Intelligence?

I've watched a lot of threads argue about what constitutes AI. I have hundreds of programming books, and from one of them called "AI Game Programming Wisdom" at this link AI Book, on page xii he says:

"First, it seems that game AI should be anything that a game AI programmer will have to program in order to make the game characters appear intelligent."

"There is no doubt in the consumer's mind as to what constitutes game AI. The characters must appear as if they know what they are doing, whether it's walking around an obstacle, participating in simple chitchat, or deciding when to retreat."

I have gone by the rule that it's safe to say that anything that is not human input, is collectively AI.

[Wade1000]

ORIGINAL: elliotg

ORIGINAL: Gertjan
I hope the AI is able to deal with all these strategic elements, such as refuelling. Don't get me wrong I really like these innovations a lot, but if the AI isn't able to deal with them as a skilled human player would, then it may become an issue for this game.

The AI can handle all of the strategic elements in the game, including refueling logistics. There are no game features that the AI does not know how to use.

tm.asp?m=2365010&mpage=1&key=wormholes? (from: 'long distance travel')

Excellent.

[Wade1000]

ORIGINAL: Wade1000

ORIGINAL:  Webbco
I haven't heard anything from Wade recently...

Heh. I haven't purchased it yet. I'm just lurking to see opinions and any AI issues that arise. I'm seeing alot of good comments but a few uncertainties regarding the automation AI not using large ships and fleets to respond to nearby attacks by pirates and space monsters. The automation AI will use Escorts and Frigates well to respond apparently.
So basically I'm waiting and watching about the AI. I do not wish to buy another space 4X game packed with seemingly great features that the AI does not use or with an AI that does not play well.
So far the posts about the fun and great aspects of Distant Worlds are alot more then the few posts about issues regarding automation AI in certain situations. Also, these issues will likely be resolved as soon as pssible in an update.
If I get bored I can play some other games that are still fresh to me. I will likely purchase Distant Worlds soon.

http://www.matrixgames.com/forums/tm.asp?m=2413868 (from: 'anyone played it yet?')
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ORIGINAL:  Wade1000

ORIGINAL:  Gertjan
How good the AI is depends on the resources the game producer has. It seems to me this is a small scale company and so if attention has to be devoted to several aspects of the game it could lead to a less developed AI. However, I'm hopeful that in relative terms considerable effort has been devoted to the AI aspect of the game and that other aspects such as graphics have been given less attention. Who knows if the game sells well, the developer could keep improving the game's AI on players feedback.

How well an AI is at the release of a game often will make or break the game in its success.
I believe that the AI in a game should be the prioriy. If there are outstanding issues with a games AI then the company should fix them immediately, even to the extent of delaying a release. AI should be much better than just adequate.