Does the A.I build/understand wonders??

[Saurus]

Although I am a complete newbie ( or perhaps just for that reason), I feel it strange that the A.I never seem to build any wonders.

Since I got the game, I have now so far played only
2 games.
(first at easy difficulty level, then at though) and during
the course of both games, the A.I failed utterly to build wonders. During the first game at easy difficulty, the A.I actually managed to build one wonder but now during higher difficulty - nothing! I currently have 4 wonders, computer-players have none! Very soon I win a wonder-victory I think. At least I thinkt there was a victory condition like that. This is not nice!!. I should definetly not be able to win the A.I at "difficult"-level as I barely even know the basics of the game!!
Actually so far it has appeared the A.I is doing a fairly good job on other fronts - it's just that it fails to build wonders.

Am I doing something wrong or does the A.I simply not like wonders?

-S

[Jaybe]

Check out the replays. Perhaps they didn't have any spare resources. Normally, once I have a 2-3 of wonders, the AI will start building them (on Tough level). If Egypt is one of the AI, they might win the game if Wonder victory is available, since they can build them an age early.

Tough level is where the AI won't pull any punches, but no one has any resource bonuses.

[Jaybe]

Also, since you get the Wonder points if you capture them, you might raise the wonder victory level (e.g., 12 or 16 instead of the default 8).

[Saurus]

Jaybe,

What I am conerned about is not the victory points generated by wonders, as the victory condition regarding wonders can be set as you said. Rather I am worried about is the fact that every wonder I build boost me greatly and if I outnumber tha A.I with some 7 wonders to 0, then I would have such great advantages against the A.I that the games becomes utterly easy and boring.

There are never anything like "spare resourses" in a game like this in my opinion. All resourses are precious and the failure to distribute the according to importance (E.G wonders) is, as far as I am concerned, the result of a defect A.I. But I will have to test around a bit more...maybe I'll find a way to make the A.I understand the inportance of building wonders.

-S

[MattH]

The AI builds lots of wonders vs. me... Try a higher difficulty?

[robinguo]

sure, AI did build wonders.

if u try tougher or toughest, u'll find it.

I had many times lose complete Pyramid or Colossus at the 2nd age, when 1v3, toughest.

but maybe AI doesn't know Wonder Victory IMOP, I didn't find anything concerned in script files.

[Saurus]

I just started a new game at "thougher"-difficulty.
I currently have 3 wonders and are building the fourth (don't remember what it was).
Still no A.I wonders ...

However, it just hit me...I have technology cost at expensive and time for research slow. Maybe this confuses the A.I to the degree it fails building wonders?
Any observations?

-S

[Finarfin]

I've played with slow research times, but never with slow building times or high costs. I've played at most difficulty levels and the computer opponents build LOTS of wonders. So maybe it is the high cost option that is throwing them off, or maybe it makes sense in some way that they aren't building them, especially if they aren't worried about losing due to a wonder victory, and don't wish to tie up time and resources when they can be building an army to crush you.

[MattH]

Do you have any replays we can watch? Maybe there are some clues there...

[Finarfin]

No, I don't have any replays, but I could play another one and capture it. In fact, I have never seen a game where the computer doesn't build wonders. Maybe it's because most of the time I play with cooperative AI just to see what it will do. I even get wonders built for me by the cooperative AI. I will try to get a game recorded so we can see what the difference is.

[robinguo]

expensive science would hesitate AI from building wonders.
they need make a choice between science and wonders,
and it'll prefer science for it's basic.
in normal game, AI will do even better.

hope the AI default optimized setting adapt to (expensive and slow) setting as well.

[Solver]

Yes, that's true, when research is set to expensive and slow, the AI does perform worse. One of facts is that it builds few or no Wonders, trying to use its resources for research instead.

[Finarfin]

But isn't the human player at the same handicap in those situations? If the human player decides to spend their resources on wonders, it will take longer for them to research and/or advance.

[Saurus]

Originally posted by Finarfin
But isn't the human player at the same handicap in those situations? If the human player decides to spend their resources on wonders, it will take longer for them to research and/or advance.

Indeed, I agree Finarfin.
The human likewise have to choose so I guess the A.I does simply not handle resourses well when playing at slow/expensive. Maybe this will be fixes in the future.

At least I do hope so since I find the game more fun with expensive/slow tech.

-s

[robinguo]

Originally posted by Finarfin
But isn't the human player at the same handicap in those situations? If the human player decides to spend their resources on wonders, it will take longer for them to research and/or advance.

No, I do not think so.

For the cost of wonders are fixed, it is equal even in
expensive/slow setting. So, compare to those cost of science and upgrade, it's cheaper, potential, and will lasting much longer. That's valuable investing in wonders than direct into science.

the only paradox is that maybe u would be suffered by other's raid during build time. IMO, I don't agree return WHOLE cost of wonder while building race failed, it need to be waste, leastwise partial, some choice or strategy could be found here.