Finally, some realism about the AI

[Father Beast]

from the gamespy article, from soren johnson:

The AI has been totally reworked. We started from scratch. We stretched out the difficulty levels. Chieftain is easier than it was in Civ II and Deity is now harder. Does the AI cheat? Yes, but sometimes in favor of the player! Below Prince level it cheats for the player, and above Prince level it cheats against the player. At Prince level there is no cheating.

Right now, no one at Firaxis can beat the AI at
Deity level, though we certainly expect players
to find ways to do so within a few months of the
game being released.

This is a bit more realistic than the civ2 form, in which they had somebody making sure that "deity level could actually be beaten". this is also a nod to the endless creativity available to TBS players, that we can beat almost anything, given enough time to consider the matter.

I appreciate the honesty that the computer will cheat. I DO hope they've cut it down some , though.

the thought that nobody at Firaxis can beat the AI at deity level is great, since if they could, a lot of apolytoners would be bored with the game before any MP would be forthcoming.

She also (soren is a "she", isn't she?) said that the old easy win of ICS just won't work.

all in all, I'm pleased

[The Andy-Man]

wow, a she that plays civ. mmmmmmmmm

[drake]

that cheat formula has always been used though

Shield boxes are smaller above prince for the AI, and larger for under....this isnt anything new.

[Sarxis]

Just beat me to this post FB.

here's the link to the original article, for convenience sake:http://www.gamespy.com/gamespin/october01/gamespin26/

Surely, the AI will be much improved. Soren, from what I have heard, has a nack and background for AI programming.

But hopefully, eventually, this:"though we certainly expect players to find ways to do so within a few months of the
game being released": will no longer be true with the next generation of dynamic, learning AI. (if there can be such a thing)

[Patriqvium]

Sorry to break your illusion, but Soren is not a "she"...

[Pembleton]

Soren is male. Those who have seen one of the preview videos know this.

And there will always be critics who will complain that there isn't a strong AI that doesn't cheat. But I don't think this is possible given current technology. We are many years away from creating human-like AIs.

It takes a supercomputer to beat the best human in chess, and the difference there is that there very few variables to consider compared to computer games such as civ. There are just too many things to consider.

[Inverse Icarus]

i dont care how hardcore the AI is, it's still NOTHING compared to a human player.

i take that back, a hard AI is a fun addition to a MP game, much like barbarians.

[Skanky Burns]

Well, at least you know the MP situation now, UberSid
Now all you need to find out is when the MP part is coming out.

[Alexander's Horse]

Nobody at Firaxis can beat the AI at Deity?

That doesn't prove anything - same team of braniacs left Multiplayer out!

[dainbramaged13]

And the person that is criticizing them is the same person who has dedicated his life to posting 10,000 times in an online forum and playing a 1995 game.

[faded glory]

That kicked ass brain damaged

[connorkimbro]

hey, i still play civ2. why not? it's a fun game!

[Alexander's Horse]

Ho ho ho

Originally posted by dainbramaged13
And the person that is criticizing them is the same person who has dedicated his life to posting 10,000 times in an online forum and playing a 1995 game.

Did the aliens forget to remove your anal probe?

[Be Quicker]

Yes playing Civ II is still fun. Long live the horse!

[Fidel]

did anyone seriously believe AI wont be cheating?