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War in Spain 1936-39| Dev Diary #3

Posted: Wed Dec 10, 2025 3:27 pm
by sofia12
War in Spain 1936-39| Dev Diary #3 is now live: discover about Artificial Intelligence (AI) System(s). Read more here: https://www.matrixgames.com/news/war-in ... ev-diary-3

Re: War in Spain 1936-39| Dev Diary #3

Posted: Wed Dec 10, 2025 5:49 pm
by Tom_
This does sound very exciting and an impressive piece of work.
Cant wait for January!

A few questions if I may...

Are you in essence describing doctrine? It would seem (and I'm no expert) that you have elected to programme the AI with 'manoeuvre' doctrine as per General Raus. -Rather than Soviet/Russian 'Attrition' doctrine. (I'm not confident on that statement and welcome correction/challenge.)

I know its a long way off but in future iterations of the game will different doctrines be programmable into the AI?

Lastly will the AI make 'perfect' decisions every time? Will it have 'advantages' like other games where it can move units freely etc? And how will you make it so that players don't get badly beaten every time..

Thanks :)

Re: War in Spain 1936-39| Dev Diary #3

Posted: Wed Dec 10, 2025 7:40 pm
by Cannon_Jackal
The news about the real AI is super exciting - I was wishing for that for ages! I know I will be loosing all the games but that's not the point - what's important is the process

I will buy the game just to support the devs!

Re: War in Spain 1936-39| Dev Diary #3

Posted: Wed Dec 10, 2025 8:18 pm
by jwilkerson
Tom_ wrote: Wed Dec 10, 2025 5:49 pm
Are you in essence describing doctrine? It would seem (and I'm no expert) that you have elected to programme the AI with 'manoeuvre' doctrine as per General Raus. -Rather than Soviet/Russian 'Attrition' doctrine. (I'm not confident on that statement and welcome correction/challenge.)
In WIS, due to lower counter density (versus East Front) .. AI choices will often look like maneuver doctrine, that isn't programmed in. Having the operation goal of denying enemy logistics while preserving one's own - is.
I know its a long way off but in future iterations of the game will different doctrines be programmable into the AI?

In WIS, due to lower counter density (versus East Front) .. AI choices will often look like maneuver doctrine, that isn't programmed in. Having the operational
goal of denying enemy logistics while preserving one's own - is. I
Lastly will the AI make 'perfect' decisions every time? Will it have 'advantages' like other games where it can move units freely etc? And how will you make it so that players don't get badly beaten every time..

Thanks :)
No, many die rolls are involved, so a random element ensures not "perfect" every time.

Re: War in Spain 1936-39| Dev Diary #3

Posted: Thu Dec 11, 2025 7:13 am
by Cannon_Jackal
Tom_ wrote: Wed Dec 10, 2025 5:49 pm <..> And how will you make it so that players don't get badly beaten every time..
Planning for the defeat/retreat is part of the battle :) I am actually looking forward to the true AI, and I don't mind getting "badly beaten" - it's still part of the experience (but such players are just 0,001% LOL)

Re: War in Spain 1936-39| Dev Diary #3

Posted: Thu Dec 11, 2025 4:32 pm
by Tom_
I suppose we are entering a time when the AI could be programmed to better reflect the traits of the enemy commanders.. for example hesitant commanders or those who make hasty decisions etc..
Essentially a more realistic form of 'Red Teaming' that we humans conduct, with even less bias built in..
Thus giving a realistic (plausible) opponent from that war/nation/military or what have you..

Exciting times.. :)

Re: War in Spain 1936-39| Dev Diary #3

Posted: Thu Dec 11, 2025 11:03 pm
by Alessandro S.
Tom_ wrote: Wed Dec 10, 2025 5:49 pm Lastly will the AI make 'perfect' decisions every time? Will it have 'advantages' like other games where it can move units freely etc? And how will you make it so that players don't get badly beaten every time..
Thanks :)
The AI has no advantages over the human player. It does not cheat for unit moves or Fog of War. It does play by the rules just as a human player. What works against a human does also work against the AI. Shortages of fuel/supply, etc.
There are switches that allow to adjust difficulty. In form of reducing combat power for one side. Can also be used to make the game harder, of course.

Re: War in Spain 1936-39| Dev Diary #3

Posted: Sat Dec 13, 2025 5:05 am
by Yojimbo_San
So looking forward to the release.
A bit of a wish list item here though. It would be excellent if rhe campaign could be used to support table top figure wargames. Would need to be able to edit units after battle to input results. No idea how difficult that would be to code.