A Relentless but less stupid AI

[vettim89]

The AI in this game is a merciless bastard. He just keeps coming and coming. Sometimes he gets a bit stupid or maybe loses his mind in a Berserker's rage.

To be specific, sending non-combat/support units on toward the objective after the main unit is smashed. For example, a MR BTN is hammered to the point of combat effectiveness so the AI continues the assault with the SA-14 units. This happens a lot! I have seen a MRR send the artillery and AD forward after the BTNs are wiped.

As a tangent on this, a more robust morale system where entire units might break and be forced to fall back to a rally point. FPCS is better than most but computer war games tend to make units automatons charging up San Juan Hill without care for life or limb. On offense units taking heavy casualties would need to pass a check to keep moving forward. On defense, excess casualties cause the unit to break off towards a rally point vice just displacing a hex (often in the wrong direction but that's a whole 'nother post)

I suggests this because attacks that are broken up become a lot easier to defeat in game. Just a thought

[CapnDarwin]

Part of the issue with what is seen is that the AI does not cheat certain situations and each country has national parameters that govern the level of overall aggressive behavior. The Soviet doctrine is too grab ground fast. NATO tends to be a bit more squishy and will pull forces back in most cases if overwhelmed. The AI attempts to keep its supporting forces in range to do their jobs. When the lead units melt away or a flank is exposed, the support elements can get caught in the shooting war before reaching what was their group destination. Like many of these AI shortfalls, we will be looking to add more fidelity and realistic response as we move forward with work on the Southern Storm game engine.

Thanks for the post. We do take all feedback from players into consideration as we work. [8D]

[mikmykWS]

Does anybody know how hard it is to program a "less stupid" AI?

There's got to be an award for that[:)]

Mike

[CapnDarwin]

Hell Mike, we can't fix having less stupid humans. The bar on this one is quite high. Taking a second to be serious, AI (a poor term BTW, I really need to finish my blog post on the subject) is a very tough item to get right or realistic for even very simple actions. Our AI is not bad, doesn't cheat like most programs by knowing where everything is, or get biased results or data. What you see it sees. Can it get better. Sure. We are working on that now with the features and changes we want for Southern Storm. We really would like to get to a place where it is extremely difficult to tell if you are playing the AI or a person. [8D]

[vettim89]

ORIGINAL: Capn Darwin

Hell Mike, we can't fix having less stupid humans. The bar on this one is quite high. Taking a second to be serious, AI (a poor term BTW, I really need to finish my blog post on the subject) is a very tough item to get right or realistic for even very simple actions. Our AI is not bad, doesn't cheat like most programs by knowing where everything is, or get biased results or data. What you see it sees. Can it get better. Sure. We are working on that now with the features and changes we want for Southern Storm. We really would like to get to a place where it is extremely difficult to tell if you are playing the AI or a person. [8D]

The AI for this game is the absolute BEST I have ever played against!!!!! It is flexible and a sneaky little bastard. You know how rare that is? It will actually play the same scenario differently. It will see a path is either too heavily defended or blocked with mines/obstacles and, gasp, find an alternative route. It will see an initial attack fall short and come back with more. The AI is one of the things I love about this game. My OP was just to point out that some times the AI sends units with little or no combat capability forward to die. In the SA-14 example, if all the infantry and AFVs are dead, why would any sane SAM detachment keep charging the objective? You know, the one protected by the enemy units that just killed every other element in your unit.

SAM guy #1: "Its over Comrade. They have killed the infantry, BMPs and T-80s. We're all that's left"

SAM guy #2: "Nyet, Comrade! Our socialist zeal will easily overwhelm Yankee capitalist pig dogs."

SAM guy #1: "You're crazy. Its suicide to try to go forward"

SAM guy #2: "You lack of faith in the Party's cause disturbs me comrade. Perhaps the Zampolit needs to hear about your lack of devotion to the Motherland"

SAM guy #1: "That Chekist bastard can kiss my ....."

SAM guy #2: "Enough, Comrade!!!! We go forward! Either you come with us now or I will shoot you myself"

SAM guy #1: "Lead on Comrade. For the Motherland!!!!!!!!!'

SAM guy #2: "For the Motherland!!!!!!!!!!" as he leads out

Sam guy #1: "Right behind you, Chekist Bastard" he says under his breath

Or something like that

[CapnDarwin]

We will work on some better logic for Southern Storm, but there is always that chance to get caught at the wrong place at the wrong time. [:D]

[BeirutDude]

This A/I is one of the best with respect to Artillery displacing to avoid Counter battery, shoot and scoot.