Help me have a fun game

As of 1.40, AI still sucks?

I just finished a game vs Gifted Drengin AI, on a Medium map (1.40).

Throughout the 2 year long game the AI didn't make a single fleet, lost around 5 unescorted transports, spent a lot of time chasing my scouts with speed 2 fighters and generally failed to form any meaningful opposition despite having superior weapon and shields technology.

So, am I missing something here? What can I do to make the AI play better? Is there a hidden switch built in the AI to make it not suck?

This game is fun but it gets disappointing when spending all the time building up my planets the AI just sits there and lets itself be slaughtered.

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Did you turn on the intensive AI algorithums? There is a box to click when you are first generating the galaxy. It is on the same screen and the choices for your win conditions.

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The AI sucks at all the difficulties without the CPU-intensive algorithims. Believe me, it'll whoop ass at bright with the full system functioning.

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Mistralok1

Join Date 05/2006

+22

First, turn up the difficulty level. At the lower levels, the AI just sits there and drools. You should be playing at 'tough' or above. Next, do as the above posters have suggested, and use the intensive algorithms. Finally, download DA as soon as it is released, so that I can tell you to turn DOWN the difficulty level, when you whine about how hard the game is.

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Sorry if my first post came off as whiny. Maybe I had too high expectations, considering devs said the AI was supposed to beat 95% of the players at Tough.

I am already playing with CPU-intensive algorithims. This makes me wonder in fact, is a powerful CPU needed to let the AI use the algorithms more effectively? I'm playing on my laptop so it's not very fast.

I am also already playing at Gifted which is above Tough. I am considering upping it but giving the AI a bunch of bonuses for no reason is not my idea of a fun game.

2Mistralok: I won't whine if the AI gets fixed. It would really be great. One would expect it to work properly in the first place though.

Oh, and thanks for all the advice

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How many races are you using? If they're too squashed up it takes them ages to get rolling.

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The AI doesn't suck, but it's no genius either. Some of what was said about the AI really is just hype because if you're an experienced strategy gamer, beating the AI on tough won't be difficult. This isn't different than any other game.

To get a fun and challenging game, I think you should play on at least Masochistic. That will make sure the AI can produce a good amount of ships and make enough money to support them. You're not giving the AI bonuses for no reason, you're giving them bonuses so they present an interesting challenge.

Also, fighting an early war against an AI in a 1v1 game is a bit unfair. It's not going to do well in a situation like that where every single ship matters. GC2 isn't built as a 1v1 game, it's much better as a free-for-all where the other AIs are teching and building while you are conquering one of them. You not only have to win the war, you have to win it decisively so that it doesn't stop your own growth and development. Play against three enemies at a minimum.

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Mistralok1

Join Date 05/2006

+22

2Mistralok: I won't whine if the AI gets fixed.

Perhaps I was a bit harsh. I have read many posts along these lines, and yours just happened to be the one that finally put me over the edge. The AI is already much better than it is in DL, and Frogboy is working very hard to get things just right. Have a little faith. I think that you will be in for a very pleasant surprise when DA is released.

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