AI Question for Brad

Does the AI differ between races?

I was wondering if the different races operate with different AI algorithms. For example, do the Humans have a different way of "thinking" from the Drengin (aside from differences in strategy due to differences in alignment). In other words, if there are two different races in the game with the same alignment, would the AI behave the same for the two, or are there slight differences in the way the individual races approach strategy. I seem to recall that in the process of developing v1.1 Brad had posted something about trying out different AI's specific for the Humans, the Drengin, etc. (Although I may be mistaken in my recollection.)

Part of the reason that I ask has to do with modding. I know that if one mods races, it makes a difference what order they are placed in the XML file because of the indices for the races. If there are differences in AI between races, I was wondering if the AI's are linked to the indices of the races. The reason I ask, is it would be important to understand the general "psychology" of the AI's in order to properly match modded races with original race AI's. For instance, if one decides to create a mod race that would have a generally peaceful psychology, one would want to make certain not to mod it in such a way that it replaces the Drengin, since the "belligerent" AI of the Drengin would result in odd behavior for a mod race that was intended to be peaceful. I guess to make a long question short, is it important to try to match mod race personalities to original race personalities when modding?
16,168 views 6 replies
Reply #1 Top
Each major race has its own AI. Meaning they have their own C++ class. AI_Torian is a subclass of AI_Crazy. (names not totally totally accurate)

That's all I know.
Reply #2 Top
Well, Brad and any dev and any fanboy will tell you that the AIs are very different.

I have not noticed this in any of my games.

What I have noticed is that evil races hate good races and good races hate evil races. If I play the Drath, the Yor and Drengin will aggressively attack me if I don't keep up my military and vice versa. I guess you can call that AI personality. Altarians and Torians seem to focus a bit more on influence than the other races. Besides that and different AI dialogue, I notice no difference between the races in behavior.

Mod away.
Reply #3 Top
Have to agree, the AI plays very similar except for hardcored aggression issues eg, Tolarian hate the Dregin etc..

But I think that's it isn't realistic to expect totally different playing styles, when they are having problems creating ONE good standard playing style. If they varied each personalities even more you are sure to get some huge stinkers, and maybe a rare brillant AI because its tactics happen to work in that situtation.

I personally wouldn't mind paying that prize, but i;m sure people would use that against SD.

So their best plan should be to create a fairly basic and 'universal' AI, then create minor tweaks just to be able to tell other people with a straight face that they have different custom AI.
Reply #4 Top
I would expect that is the way it is, with a generic AI "class" which all other AI classes inherit from (assuming OOP was used), changing only certain properties or parameters to make the "Drengin AI" or the "Torian AI".
Reply #5 Top
Exactly.
Reply #6 Top
PJ_: Where did you find the information about C++ classes for the AI?
Thanks