SMAX AI not too bright?

[iapetus556]

Am I just imagining it, or is the SMAX AI inferior to the SMAC AI?

(I'm talking about the actual intelligence of the computer-controlled factions, not the balance of the new factions compared to the old).

I'm sure I remember the old AI massing large, high-offensive forces before attacking bases.

But since playing SMAX, I've seen lots of really suicidal behavior, such as the Gaians shipping an invasion "force" - consisting of a lone scout rover - , to attack a Cartaker base defended by 3-res sentinals behind a perimiter defence.

Or Yang very kindly emptying his capital of all defenders (three 1/3/1 and one 2/2/1) by making them attack the Elite Synthmetal Probeteam that had ended its turn adjacent to The Hive on Rocky ground.

[xalien]

I had exactly the same feeling, but then I thought that maybe I just became too good for an old AI? Afterall, SMAC was mostly about learning while SMACX - playing.

[Senethro]

When you start up a new game, press Ctrl-K and open up the scenario editor.

Alter the AIs in the following ways.

Add Explore and Build to their priorities, but remove Discover. Leave conquer in at your own discretion.
Turn off Pacifist and Aggressive, except for some war factions.

In Faction Strategy, turn on "Build lots of colony pods" and "build lots of terraformers". Turn off most other things.

If prevented from contacting each other for 60 years and given good conditions the AIs can now build their way to Air Power in a similar time frame to a human player, unless the human player sows discord among them or probe rapes them.


Most of the problem for both of you is that you are much better than you used to be. I reloaded saves where I remember the AI having done exceptionally well and found that the dates on most of them were post-2300. (i.e. I was still a noob)

Having said that, I was once owned hard by a Morgan AI in the Monsoon jungle who cornered the Global energy market in 2205

[Nightlifter]

AI in most games in general is getting pretty dissapointing, but as for suicidal behavior, i saw no difference between smac and smax that i was aware of.

[Mart]

My observation is that AI is quite good on tiny maps (24x48) in SMAX

[Flubber]

Originally posted by mart7x5
My observation is that AI is quite good on tiny maps (24x48) in SMAX

Its not surprising that they would be "better" since their production bonuses would mean more in an environment where spamming out units are a viable tactic

Many strategies are not really viable on a more cramped map where you might be beating off attacks from the early years onward

[Infernis]

Much thanks, Senethro...I hadn't considered modifying the AI's choices via the Editor...This makes them quite a bit more challenging than before...


~I~

[Xian]

One critical difference might be the maps you choose to play on. For reasons of game mechanics I almost always use larger maps in SMAX (havent played vanilla Smac in years actually) and the AI (which is already atrocious) does much worse. This also slows down technology which reduces the already fantasticaly low rate at which the computer builds facilities and non combat units.

My solution is to play on cutom designed maps that include enough rescources to boost the AI. If everyone gets their own continent with breathing room lots of the AI flaws wont be so much of a problem.

Games as massively complex as these really need a lot of AI work and huge amounts of playtesting. Civ 2 had terrible AI routines as well, with the opponents placing bases in idiotic spots too. For whatever reason AC didnt get this either.

[CEO Aaron]

Play a 1 player hotseat game: Play one faction for 100 years, then use the scenario editor to switch to the weakest faction on the powergraph. You'll find that bolstering a faction's infrastructure and industrial capacity will really transform it from a feeble speedbump on the way to victory to a hairy, fanged maniac thirsty for your blood.