Matrix Games Forums

Hello,

My wargaming colleague from Reddit highly recommended CSL games (I am a WDS player), primarily for its "adaptive AI". It's very intriguing for me, but the definition of AI is very broad - from the old school algorithms to the contemporary deep-learning AI systems (e.g., ChatGPT, DeepSeek, etc etc.). So what kind of AI is used in this game?

Another question - is the engine the same for the Middle East and Vietnam? I am very interested in ME, but it was released in 2015, while Vietnam - in 2022.

Also, why the game takes 10gb of space, while comparable games are only 1gb? Is it because the engine is made with Lua? It might be slow, no?

Metelys wrote: Wed Mar 19, 2025 11:45 am Hello,

My wargaming colleague from Reddit highly recommended CSL games (I am a WDS player), primarily for its "adaptive AI". It's very intriguing for me, but the definition of AI is very broad - from the old school algorithms to the contemporary deep-learning AI systems (e.g., ChatGPT, DeepSeek, etc etc.). So what kind of AI is used in this game?

Another question - is the engine the same for the Middle East and Vietnam? I am very interested in ME, but it was released in 2015, while Vietnam - in 2022.

Also, why the game takes 10gb of space, while comparable games are only 1gb? Is it because the engine is made with Lua? It might be slow, no?

Hello Metelys, welcome to the forum!

Middle East and Vietnam are currently at the same engine version level. That wasn’t always the case, Middle East 2.30 and Vietnam 1.30 were the first versions where parity was achieved. Our intention is to keep them at the same level going forward as well.

Both games have a ton of graphics files, supporting seven different map zoom views: three 3D and four 2D. Not only that, but the map images cover multiple regions and biomes, further multiplying the number of required assets. Vietnam, in particular, includes a large number of videos, which is why the disk space requirements are around 10GB and 15GB. That’s likely where the difference from WDS titles comes from.

As for AI, it’s indeed a broad term. We refer to Engine AI (EAI) when discussing the C++ game engine’s intelligence, and Scripted AI (SAI) when referring to the Lua state running in parallel to the game engine. Lua powers the CS Event Engine, which captures events and defines logic and rules for how each scenario reacts to various in-game events during gameplay or battle.

Here's a reading list of recent topics on AI at our CS Legion website: https://cslegion.com/category/csee/

I hope this answered your questions

Crossroads wrote: Wed Mar 19, 2025 1:02 pm <..> I hope this answered your questions

Thank you so very much for the comprehensive answer! Your approach of using Engine AI + LUA is a modern take indeed, kudos on that! In fact, I positively surprised by your use of Lua instead of Python, I have to research into this more, and also read your shared blogs

The 10gb investment into visuals is a very welcome and pleasing surprise for me - I can't wait to experience all this your hard work. (Usually in wargames visuals are either underinvested, or overinvested, not all find - or even look- for a balance)

And I am also so very glad the the Middle East and the Vietnam are both on the same and most recent engine - I have not to worry which to buy first (though it will be ME )

Thanks again for your kind support and reply! Good luck!

One thing to keep in mind is that CS Vietnam has significantly more effort into the Scripted AI as I had scripted most of the scenarios to ensure the AI gives some good play.

Middle East has mostly PHASE ONE automated scripted AI (at the moment), which is good for briefings, artillery, airstrikes, logistics, but will still have the units mostly utilizing the Engine AI.

The Scripted AI is vastly superior to the Engine AI. If you're looking for good AI play, I'd recommend going with Vietnam first.

Jason Petho wrote: Wed Mar 19, 2025 2:37 pm One thing to keep in mind is that CS Vietnam has significantly more effort into the Scripted AI as I had scripted most of the scenarios to ensure the AI gives some good play.

Middle East has mostly PHASE ONE automated scripted AI (at the moment), which is good for briefings, artillery, airstrikes, logistics, but will still have the units mostly utilizing the Engine AI.

The Scripted AI is vastly superior to the Engine AI. If you're looking for good AI play, I'd recommend going with Vietnam first.

Thank you very much for your recommendation - will get Vietnam first! Can I play on the Vietnamese side there?

I also think that your Middle East is totally unique and it's definitely worth the scripting effort (though, I understand that it might be less popular and not generate good sales)

Are you, guys, on Discord? I clicked the link on your official website and Discord prompted "Invalid Invite" - I think you should update that. I understand that now you are on the Slitherine server?

For sure, Middle East will be scripted, I just more time in a day between that and the new projects (Cold War, World War 2) - let alone my day job.

Some scenarios allow you to play as the North Vietnamese - looks for Side B scenarios, but most of the scenarios are designed with Free World forces as the main played side.

Yes, we are on discord. Campaign Series Vietnam, I can post a new link when I get home.

Thank you for your interest!!

Jason Petho wrote: Wed Mar 19, 2025 5:10 pm For sure, Middle East will be scripted, I just more time in a day between that and the new projects (Cold War, World War 2) - let alone my day job.

Some scenarios allow you to play as the North Vietnamese - looks for Side B scenarios, but most of the scenarios are designed with Free World forces as the main played side.

Yes, we are on discord. Campaign Series Vietnam, I can post a new link when I get home.

Thank you for your interest!!

Thank you very much for all the information! I joined your Discord ("Jackal")