For the playtesters: How is the AI?

[elmo3]

Will the AI repeat the same plan if replaying a scenario, assuming everything else is equal? Or is there some randomness built in when it creates a plan? Thanks.

[Arjuna]

Will the AI repeat the same plan if replaying a scenario, assuming everything else is equal? Or is there some randomness built in when it creates a plan? Thanks.

elmo3,

The AI could repeat the same plan, but it does not work to a script. It makes its assessment and develops its plan anew, each time the scenario is played. The decion making logic is generic, in that it is not dependednt on a particular map or a particular set of objectives and forces.

In developing its plan the AI will look at its objectives, their priorities and victory conditions and then it will assign forces across the various objectives and each force group so assigned will then develop its plan to achieve its assigned objective(s). A whole miriad of factors are taken into account, not least of which is the terrain, enemy forces, friendly forces and the commander's own attributes, such as how aggro he is. Random die rolls applied to factors such as judgement, aggression, efficiency and suitability add to the fuzziness.

Scenarios with only one objective and only one reinforcement schedule ( ie the arrival locations and times are all the same ) tend to have a limited number of options and hence the AI will tend to end up doing one of the two or three best options. Scenarios with multiple objectives and multiple reinforcement schedules ( and most do have these ) provide a wonderful variety of options and replays tend to be quite different.

The real test I use is "can I be surprised". Well the answer is a definite YES!

Most scenarios can be replayed many, many times, each providing you with a real and varied challenge.

[elmo3]

Arjuna

Thanks very much for a look behind the curtain. It's sounding better all the time.

elmo3

P.S. - This is probably the wrong thread for it but can you comment on how supply/logistics work and whether I have any interaction with that part of the game or whether it's automatic? Thanks again.

[Golf33]

elmo3,

The game tracks expenditure of ammunition, fuel and basic supplies (rations/water etc) very accurately. Resupply is abstracted, depending on the setting chosen when starting the scenario each unit will receive a resupply at 0300 every day consisting of a percentage of the supply capacity of that unit, up to a maximum of the full supply capacity. This process is automatic.

[elmo3]

OK, thanks. That confirms what JeF had posted.