Will you be dumb enough to buy Beyond The Sword?

[Kuciwalker]

Blake already did that. And you missed my point; it's actually a nontrivial task to write a half-decent Civ AI, but any freshman compsci student can write a good checkers AI.

[Solver]

Originally posted by Blake
Not bad, I'd be wary of saying smarter, that's pretty subjective. Although to be subjective - the only player I consider may be smarter than me is Sirian (sorry Vel ) and what I'm talking about is REALLY understanding the game mechanics - understanding the game to the point where not only is everything understood, but all intuition is backed up also with solid reason.

The reason I can write a good AI, is that I have a painstakingly good understanding of the game, almost like having a mathematical model of the perfect player (all "human" decisions reduced to machine algorithms) - I'm also good enough as a programmer to convert that model into code.

I don't think that's the kind of talent that a company can just throw money around to get. Firaxis did exactly the right thing - they released the SDK, and when one of the best CIV players in the world heeded the call to improve the AI, they took him seriously.

edit:
I also have to say that Soren did an excellent job on the AI, but Soren was programming for a rapidly moving target, and was also busy with other stuff - not having the oppurtunity to learn playing the game. I would certainly not claim to be a better programmer than Soren.

Very well said. Modesty aside, you can safely and truthfully say that you're a very smart person. I think there are a few others, along with you and Sirian, who understand mechanics on such a level, but it's my fairly subjective opinion, that being hard to measure.

You pretty much have the perfect combination of things to program an AI successfully. Ideally, the AI programmer should: a) be coding for a game where the design is more-or-less complete, b) be smart, c) be a good player himself, d) have constant contact with some testers. Working on BtS, you had all that, and that was very lucky.

If I may say so, I think Sirian, Soren, you, Yin, Danthrax and myself would make a hell of a team for any AI effort.

[EyesOfNight]

I think anything you work on Solver is doomed to failure...then again, I think anything Firaxis works on is doomed to failure as well. By the way, have you harassed Ming lately about getting my posts removed since I'm attacking the game you worked so hard to playtest?

[Solver]

EoN, I'll be honest here... I don't give a crap about what you think of me or Firaxis in general, same way how you don't give a crap what I think about Civ4. I also honestly think that you do have make very good points about Civ4, but I am not willing to argue any points with you.

[EyesOfNight]

Then why were you harassing ming to get my threads closed? For someone who doesn't care you tried pretty hard.

[Kuciwalker]

Because you're an eyesore.

[EyesOfNight]

Then he would be harassing Ming to have you banned as well.

[Kuciwalker]

No he wouldn't, he bans me himself. Mostly for harassing new posters that act (as unbelievable as this sounds) even dumber than you.

[Solver]

I don't want the thread closed. I do wish you were not so quick at making things personal in some of your posts, but I also realize it's not going to happen

I don't have a problem with your opinions, I just dislike the way you voice them.

[EyesOfNight]

For some reason, I just can't take offense to anything you say Kuci. You lack any wit or sarcasm and so you are too bland and simple.

[Kuciwalker]

I have a problem with his opinions

[Solver]

Originally posted by Kuciwalker
No he wouldn't, he bans me himself. Mostly for harassing new posters that act (as unbelievable as this sounds) even dumber than you.

Don't you go there again You still know that harassing new posters isn't allowed, even if they post dumb, poorly-worded questions.

[EyesOfNight]

I have a problem with your existence.

See how easy it is to make simple one liners? Try a little harder.

[Kuciwalker]

Originally posted by EyesOfNight
For some reason, I just can't take offense to anything you say Kuci. You lack any wit or sarcasm and so you are too bland and simple.

That's okay, I can live a university dropout thinking poorly of me (in one of the best programs in the world ).

[Kuciwalker]

Or were you a high-school dropout? I really can't tell.