Very disappointed

[Swayin]

Is it annoying to see Betties launching from a level 2 airbase on Tarawa, armed with torp after torp, to hit my amphibs near Canton? Yes.

Is it annoying to know Russia will never activate no matter how few troops are in Manchuria? Yes.

Is the game more fun playing the AI when the AI actually has more teeth? Yes. so I guess I don't mind the cheating that much, because it makes my games vs the AI that much more interesting.

And for the record, I play both AI and PBEM, and enjoy them both.

[m10bob]

Do ya' remember when we were pushing cardboard counters around on a map which covered an entire ping pong table?
We were all having a good time, having swiped cold chicken from the fridge upstairs, hoping the hosts' wife would not be home to check on it till after we left.......and everybody was nice and polite with each other...till "Rodney", the group nerd finally un-assed the toilet upstairs and came down in his miserable blue colored Bermuda shorts, dorm 'flip-flops", and the plastic pocket protector for his multi-colourd ink pens.

"Rodney" always had the rule book folded into his rear pocket, and you just KNEW he had been thumbing thru the pages during his "sabbatical" upstairs.....and he was sure to pull some new and recently learned "tricks" he had just gleaned between rule 22a and rules 26b, and WHO was gonna wanna look thru the rulebook after good 'ol "Rodney" had been thumbing throught it "UP THERE"????

Well....the deal is....."Rodney" is still with us...He is the AI, and always has been, except now, "Rodney" is bigger, picks his runny nose more often, and belches like your mother-in-law!

I like what they did to the AI, compared to the imbecile we used to contend with.

(From now on, ya' gotta bring your own chicken.)

[RHoenig]

ORIGINAL: IronWarrior

Maybe I'm wrong, but I was under the impression that there is not an AI made that can challenge a human without cheating in a complex game like AE. I think the day that happens we'll revisit the computers-taking-over-the-world paranoia from the 70's and 80's. We'll break out the Rush:2112 albums and Tron. [:D]

He he, I´d like to quote a line from "The Lost Fleet" novels.

"If an AI can´t deploy and use a weapon on its own, you can´t realy trust it in combat.
But if it _can_ deploy and use a weapon on its own, you can´t trust it at all."

[Oldguard1970]

During the AE development period, I recall reading about Andy Mac's work to devise and revise AI scripts. (All hail Andy Mac for the grand results.)

As the AI operates from a script, and given the daunting complexity of AE, there is no way the AI will ever be able to match a semi-capable human player. That said, it sure is neat to encounter some of Andy's "surprises", and the AI is doing a fine job of serving as a sparring partner.

Now, about those scripts... I seem to remember that it might be possible for players to develp their own AI scripts. (Can you be more devious than Andy Mac?) If so, that would provide a fine outlet for the "AI only" set of players. Imagine playing against "Gnome AI version Two" or "Marty's Killer AI."

Can anyone confirm my feeble memory about player modified or created AI scripts?

ORIGINAL: Marty A

ORIGINAL: The Gnome

About all these "just play a human" posts has encouraged me to do is NOT to play a human. We get it already, you love PBEM. Great. I'm glad you love it. Some of us don't. We'd like to discuss issues with the AI occasionally and try to find better ways for it to work.

AE has been a HUGE improvement to playing the AI so apparently, contrary to your post, it can be fixed.

You not say why you do not like e mail game. witp ai can change too if someone took time to do. they do do not take time. fault matrix on this. this game may be easier to change ai but old game not impossible. you say ai in ae huge improve over witp. others say not. again you not say why you think it is better.

[Andy Mac]

Yes you can at present there are 13 AI scripts that I am supporting each of which has a slightly different set of AI suprises but there is NOTHING to stop other folks from adding more and doing their own either to put into the rotation or to replace them all.
 
13 x 1500 scripts is about as many as I can personally cope with but I am sure others who have the time can amend AI scripts

[Buck Beach]

ORIGINAL: m10bob

Do ya' remember when we were pushing cardboard counters around on a map which covered an entire ping pong table?
We were all having a good time, having swiped cold chicken from the fridge upstairs, hoping the hosts' wife would not be home to check on it till after we left.......and everybody was nice and polite with each other...till "Rodney", the group nerd finally un-assed the toilet upstairs and came down in his miserable blue colored Bermuda shorts, dorm 'flip-flops", and the plastic pocket protector for his multi-colourd ink pens.

"Rodney" always had the rule book folded into his rear pocket, and you just KNEW he had been thumbing thru the pages during his "sabbatical" upstairs.....and he was sure to pull some new and recently learned "tricks" he had just gleaned between rule 22a and rules 26b, and WHO was gonna wanna look thru the rulebook after good 'ol "Rodney" had been thumbing throught it "UP THERE"????

Well....the deal is....."Rodney" is still with us...He is the AI, and always has been, except now, "Rodney" is bigger, picks his runny nose more often, and belches like your mother-in-law!

I like what they did to the AI, compared to the imbecile we used to contend with.

(From now on, ya' gotta bring your own chicken.)

Save your breath M10bob, you will never be able to convince the religious sect of the "PBEM Order of Purists" that we should be able to enjoy this game. How many times must it be said that PBEM gang indeed have and will always have a more realistic experience.

It has been shown by surveys (at least with WITP) that the majority owners of the game do either exclusively or primarily play against the AI. That is why there has been such a push by the Dev Team of AE to upgrade/improve our experience BECAUSE THEY NEEDED OUR DOLLARS TO MAKE THE PROJECT PAY FOR ITS SELF. Instead of being the least bit grateful for our interest, that permits them to have this game, they never end their bombardment of negativity and ridicule of the AI model even though it doesn't effect them in the least. They seem to suggest (by their superior attitude) that we are foolish for playing our childish checker game.

Oh BTW, thank you AE- Dev team and Andy Mac your work is at least appreciated by this 67 year old man.

[JWE]

Yes. quite right. Over 97% of the people who buy the game do not post. Over 75% of the people who post play against the AI. The game is designed so as to have a challenging AI for those players. The game is designed to support AI play; there is some support for H2H and PBEM play, but not limited thereto.

If AI players wish to report issues, they (and we) do not want to hear about how PBEM is superior. These people have needs and desires, and it is incubent on us to do what we can to satisfy them, without some "my winkie is bigger than yours" hijack. So please, all you PBEM perfectionists, back off and go about your own business.

Sorry about this, but it's time to wake up and smell the hard drive burning.

[AcePylut]

Amen brother JWE!

[IronWarrior]

I think a main concern, which I've seen happen in countless games, is that tweaks to singleplayer often screw up multiplayer. I remember when I played Company of Heroes, there were balance issues that could not be tweaked because it would throw off the single player campaign. Not saying it would happen, but I'd hate to see the same with AE because of some unrealistic expectations from an AI. I'm not telling people how they should play the game, but it is what it is. Pbem players have needs and concerns too right?

Sometimes I wish there were seperate patches for singleplayer and multiplayer. [:D]

Interesting, you said there is some support for multiplayer... are you saying that this is primarily a singleplayer game against the AI? I guess I need to ask this upfront before buying games in the future.

[pad152]

ORIGINAL: Andy Mac

Yes you can at present there are 13 AI scripts that I am supporting each of which has a slightly different set of AI suprises but there is NOTHING to stop other folks from adding more and doing their own either to put into the rotation or to replace them all.

13 x 1500 scripts is about as many as I can personally cope with but I am sure others who have the time can amend AI scripts

Is the ability to use torpedoes vs. airfield size or 4 engine bomber vs. airfield size even in the AI Scripts?

All I want is an AI that plays by some of the same rules as the player. (obey airfield size vs torpedoes and aircraft engine size, take a little longer loading/unloading, and some random delay with any movement bonus (so you don't notice).

[Buck Beach]

ORIGINAL: IronWarrior

I think a main concern, which I've seen happen in countless games, is that tweaks to singleplayer often screw up multiplayer. I remember when I played Company of Heroes, there were balance issues that could not be tweaked because it would throw off the single player campaign. Not saying it would happen, but I'd hate to see the same with AE because of some unrealistic expectations from an AI. I'm not telling people how they should play the game, but it is what it is. Pbem players have needs and concerns too right?

Sometimes I wish there were seperate patches for singleplayer and multiplayer. [:D]

Interesting, you said there is some support for multiplayer... are you saying that this is primarily a singleplayer game against the AI? I guess I need to ask this upfront before buying games in the future.

HELLO, haven't you been reading how great the game is by PBEM folks. Are you thinking they are being ignored and are second class citizens? What part of "they are enjoying a more realistic game," don't you understand? Are you saying that if you asked your question "up front" you wouldn't have bought this wonderful game?

Sir me thinks you are just argumentative, as a nice way of saying how I really think of how out of it/full of it, you are.

[IronWarrior]

lol mmk so I'm not allowed to be bored to tears by playing against an AI? I have absolutely zero interest in a singleplayer focused game against an AI. I only use that function to learn a game. Yes, I am saying that from now on I would like to know what crowd the developers intend to cater to beforehand. I have nothing against those types of games or those who play them, just not my thing (hope that's OK with you) and would like to know ahead of time. The primary reason I uninstall games are because of a patch fixing singleplayer concerns and leaving the multiplayer community scratching their heads. Can't count the number of times it's happened and I'd rather just avoid it in the future.

[Buck Beach]

ORIGINAL: IronWarrior

lol mmk so I'm not allowed to be bored to tears by playing against an AI? I have absolutely zero interest in a singleplayer focused game against an AI. I only use that function to learn a game. Yes, I am saying that from now on I would like to know what crowd the developers intend to cater to beforehand. I have nothing against those types of games or those who play them, just not my thing (hope that's OK with you) and would like to know ahead of time. The primary reason I uninstall games are because of a patch fixing singleplayer concerns and leaving the multiplayer community scratching their heads. Can't count the number of times it's happened and I'd rather just avoid it in the future.

I have to be careful here so as not to be banned for violating board rules.

Again HELLO, who said you are not allowed to be anything? Who said you should play against the AI, when there are so many who are currently enjoying PBEM and rightfully so?

My suggestion to you is store your cash and investigate a game first and spot questions on a forum as to your concerns. Rocket science stuff eh? Poor baby, would you have us think that you are the only one who purchased a game only to delete it from your hard drive later.

By your comments, I guess you are now sorry you purchased AE as a game not being completely upfront with your expectations. I am 100% sure you could resell the game to recoup a good portion of your loss.

Dude, I still think you are just argumentative contrary (sic) type and you really should think about pursuing your happiness elsewhere on some sort of debate forum.

As you state as to where you are from "Way out in left field", Well brother you can sing that.

[Tone]

No need to quarrel please. one game with two forms of enjoyment. [:)]

[Buck Beach]

ORIGINAL: Tone

No need to quarrel please. one game with two forms of enjoyment. [:)]

But the dude seems to think he has been duped into buying our (collective) game.

[IronWarrior]

Perhaps you don't understand the phrase: "from now on". Wow you're calling me argumentative!? [:D]

Yes I am currently enjoying pbem with AE, and you know what? I want to keep it that way. Of course that is out of my control and is why I would like to know what the philosophy of the dev team is in the future before I buy a game. Again, I hope that's OK with you. [8|]

Yep "way out in left field" and pround of it! Got a problem with that?

[fbs]

I think that you two should resolve this by the long-honored, manly traditional way: duel it out.

PBEM duel, that is. One takes the Japanese, the other the Allies, and the one that loses has to eat an onion.

Cheers [:D]
fbs

[Buck Beach]

ORIGINAL: IronWarrior

Perhaps you don't understand the phrase: "from now on". Wow you're calling me argumentative!? [:D]

Yes I am currently enjoying pbem with AE, and you know what? I want to keep it that way. Of course that is out of my control and is why I would like to know what the philosophy of the dev team is in the future before I buy a game. Again, I hope that's OK with you. [8|]

Yep "way out in left field" and pround of it! Got a problem with that?

Guess you got lucky with AE and got bang for your buck. Then I have to ask you "What's the hubbub bub" Your sophomoric attack on a small insignificant portion of JWE comment gives evidence of your "just looking for an opening to appear intelligent" portrait. You want the last word just respond to this comment with anything and I promise you that will be the last of this issue. But while my approval isn't necessary don't make yourself look worse than you already have (not that I care in the least).

[Buck Beach]

ORIGINAL: fbs


I think that you two should resolve this by the long-honored, manly traditional way: duel it out.

PBEM duel, that is. One takes the Japanese, the other the Allies, and the one that loses has to eat an onion.

Cheers [:D]
fbs

Surely (if your name is Shirley) you jest dude. BTW I like onions "they have layers"

[stuman]

ORIGINAL: Admiral Scott

Maybe playing on normal difficulty is the way to go.

How good of a game does the AI give you on normal?

I am playing Scen 2, historical and it has been fun so far. I just pulled up the Japanese side ( I am playing as the allies ) and there does not seem to be a bunch of bizarre things going on. Some bases are maybe uncovered, some bases do not have as much aviation support as I have to have, etc . But all in all I do not see any major issues.