Matrix Games Forums

Has anyone played the SSG games 'Ardennes Offensive' and 'Korsun Pocket'? This is a game engine that uses a scripted AI, and it really puts up a decent fight, although it can quickly decide which combat results are going to be descisive. Not perfect, but pretty good AI. I would prefer something scripted *if* it put up a good fight, acted 'intelligently' (or at least not dumb), and in all fairness I wouldnt give a hoot if it took twice as long to process a turn, that really is not an issue to me.
PBEM does give more fun, I spend more time on my PBEM turns carefully going over everything than I do with my game against the AI - as it is more forgiving, but not against a skilled human. But because PBEM is more rewarding, doesnt mean to exclude AI development. If I just played PBEM, id play maybe an hour a night; I also want a half-decent challenge against the AI to fill the time.

ORIGINAL: The Gnome

ORIGINAL: ZOOMIE1980

ORIGINAL: Scott_USN

I hope they do not assume everyone will play PBEM... I do not care about PBEM and it is boring and frustrating.

Unfortunately, I think they do, to a degree. Almost ALL the beta testers are PBEM guys and it appears even many of the Matrix admin staff that play this game are! No surprise, that is where the focus is. And I do believe that taking the tact that most players will eventually be PBEM players is completely misguided....

I know that once I have the AI figured out in any game, it hits the dust bin. No amount of scenario editting or setting a higher level, can make up for a marginal AI. The saving grace about WitP is that it is so big, by the time I have the AI on each side figured out, I'll be tired of it anyway....

Agree with this completely, sadly enough. WiTP could be something I'd play on and off for a decade if we see some AI enhancements. I agree too that right now the holes in the AI haven't exposed themselves in my game yet, but as soon as my airforces reconstitute it's only a matter of time.

The only criticism I have for Matrix is their assumption that we'll just love PBEM if we give it a chance. Please don't take that as a slam against PBEM, I'm glad so many people are having a great time with it - but it's not something I enjoy.

And not only do I not enjoy PBEM, I'd infurriate anyone who played me that way, because my personal life is so highly variable. I never know when I'd be home to deal with a PBEM turn and I refuse to allow a damned computer game to dictate my social life!

And not only do I not enjoy PBEM, I'd infurriate anyone who played me that way, because my personal life is so highly variable. I never know when I'd be home to deal with a PBEM turn and I refuse to allow a damned computer game to dictate my social life!

well.... I'm sacrificing my social life but only for AI games lol

Thought I'd provide the latest in AI lunacy. I've been playing the campaign as the Allies with the CBI theatre being handled by the computer. Singapore just fell, and the Brits scuttled Prince of Wales, Repulse, and twelve destroyers. Don't think the AI should have let that happen.

So the AI just left the entire starting Indian Ocean fleet in Singapore until it fell???? And then elected to scuttle the whole thing? What's up with that? That IS whacked!!!

In all seriousness, we AI lovers should help the devs as much as possible get these AI quirks ironed out. If you encounter a flat out bug, be sure to post in the support forum and keep the save game file so they can reproduce it. We should also get an AI enhancement thread so we can keep a list of the AI quirks.

I think it's pretty close to being good AI. I love that the AI player aggressively built up Efate and attempted to isolate OZ. I think it tends to ignore or incorrectly identify air threats. Other than that it seemed like a sound move.

I saw someone else post about a Cl/DD TF running wild near Singapore sinking an unending stream of AI transport TF's. If stuff like this gets at least reduced in frequency I think we have an AI that can play a decent game.

ORIGINAL: The Gnome

In all seriousness, we AI lovers should help the devs as much as possible get these AI quirks ironed out. If you encounter a flat out bug, be sure to post in the support forum and keep the save game file so they can reproduce it. We should also get an AI enhancement thread so we can keep a list of the AI quirks.

I think it's pretty close to being good AI. I love that the AI player aggressively built up Efate and attempted to isolate OZ. I think it tends to ignore or incorrectly identify air threats. Other than that it seemed like a sound move.

I saw someone else post about a Cl/DD TF running wild near Singapore sinking an unending stream of AI transport TF's. If stuff like this gets at least reduced in frequency I think we have an AI that can play a decent game.

And that's the goal, really. An AI that doesn't do outlandishly stupid things, over and over again and again, like it does in UV. The only real AI observation I have personally seen so far is the random numbers stuff (the die rolls) are a bit too variant overall. Some variation is nice, but it tends to be overly variable across the board. Bascially, reduce the standard deviations by about a third. The bell curves are too flat.

If I recall, isn't there an indication when you click on the base who has air superiority? One easy thing would be to not stack ships in a hex that computer AI does not possess air superiority. You may even require a 2:1 calculation before its secure enough for a working port.

Just to point something out here. The "Historical" AI is LOUSY. It is kinda a training wheel game. In other games this is the VERY EASY setting. I am trying the middle setting and it is giving much better of a fight.

Turns taking 30 minuets each? That woudl be heaven compared ot eh old Avalon Hill Games Whoo HOO! Played all weekend and we completed 4 turns, good job guys. See you on Tuesday and we can start setting up for next Saturdays first turn.

IF the AI can be better and it takes twice as long to run the round fine with me. I takes me 30 minutes to set up my side each turn, so if it takes that long to resolve then ok.

I also play Online flying games and have been upgrading my PC to lay a game for about 15 years, so if I needed to upgrade my PC to stay with it then I woudl. A good benchmark for your system is teh side panel for the reccomended system specs for teh latest first person shooter. IF you do not meet the minimum requirements you are in desperate need to upgrade for new titles.

UB