Irrigation Rules

[Ralf]

quote: Originally posted by Sitting Bull on 02-10-2001 07:38 AM before you hijacked it,

Then I start a topic of my own I do that in order to promote an idea, yes - but anyone who stays within that subject is completely free to join, agree or criticize it, and instead suggesting alternative methods in how to deal with the described topic-problem. This way one can debate different viewpoints within that thread. As a result of that the forum becomes more vibrant and worthwhile.

You obviously dont like that, and; OK - I stay away from Sitting Bull topic-starter after this post then.

quote: I can do it, but the AI can't.

Yes, but the suggestions you lay forward in order to rectify the problem is totally inadequate - at least seen from my viewpoint. I thought you wanted to discuss it and be challenged with alternative methods dealing with it. Obviously I was wrong.

[This message has been edited by Ralf (edited February 10, 2001).]

[Straybow]

Somehow I doubt that computational power or time are the limitation for AI of this sort. The problem is creating an algorithm to weigh the possibilities and make a decision. What are the relative valuables of trade, shields, and food?

Food requirements are easily forecasted (2*citizens) so the AI has to decide what size is manageable. But for trade and shields the decision is more complex. Their values aren't linear. You need a minimum level of each, but above that increasing one at the expense of the other is hard to evaluate.

Then there are the less tangible factors: proximity to hostile or friendly neighbors, suitable transportation routes, strategic defense points… these are the things living players can evaluate visually without fully realizing the process going on in our noggins.

I'm afraid that pre-plotted city locations would only work for scenarios. Shifting the AI burden from the game engine to the map building engine doesn't make the algorithm any easier to write.