AI worsens over each release of civ3?

[Colwyn]

With vanila civ I recall that the AI would often thump me amassing large forces (and armies) to take my cities.

It seams that since PTW and Conquests although the game is more refined I don't get the AI attacking all that much any more.

They used to attack with one or two stacks or armies and eventually take my cities but now they don't seem to attack unless they are guarenteed a win.

What do people think, has the original AI been diminished with the later versions? Esp armies!!

[Harovan]

PtW has the best AI hands down. It was greatly improved throughout the patches. Plain Civ3 AI comes next, if you take the latest (1.29) patch. The Conquests AI is retarded.

[Shogun Gunner]

This is disappointing to read...

I warmed up slowly to CivIII. When it was first released, I bought and played it immediately. However, I did return to Civ2 due to playability and other reasons. One thing that has bothered me to no end was the "ZOOM" feature in Civ3. In Civ3 you get a "distant view" and "an unusable, even more distant view". The great animation of the units is lost upon my failing eyesight.

When I returned to CivIII, I caught the end of PTW and didn't play it too long before Conquests came out...and the never ending parade of patches for C3C. I would have to agree with Sir Ralph about the degeneration of AI tactics (useless barbs anyone?)

Playing PBEMs and MP games has lessened the effect of the limited abilities of the Civ AI. When I do play SP games, I would just try to ignore the poor tactics and decision making of the AI. However, this is getting harder to do. HELP!

[Antrine]

Dribble, dribble down the toilet we go
The AI has sprung too many leaks!
And nothing holds hardly well anymore
Don't worry Firaxis has gone fishing
And left us with all the left-over bait

Get a bigger screen (I did) and p.s. the graphics do not look better (much) when enlargened. However, I agree, I want more zoom and the quality be damned!

Modding vastly improves gameplay. Download one. Vanilla is overly disfunctional, much of which is correctable via the Conquest Editor and much of which can be worked around. (my illustrious opinion of course )

You might rightly ask; is such an investment of time really worth it, well I'll get back to you on that one.

Armies can be made to work, and AI tweaked to kick your butt just fine. However, the road of tweaking and modding is long, hard and ridiculous!

So, if Firaxis needs money to fix (er, finish this game) why don't they sub-license to a few of the best modders and release that with some tooting and hollowing?!

Sorry, but you guys are already meloncholy, so my crap may even cheer you up!