Results 1 to 18 of 18

Thread: Best AI?

  1. #1

    Default Best AI?

    A quick poll. What is the best Battle AI in your opinion and why?:

    - MTW vanilla
    - MTW + XL Mod

    - RTW vanilla
    - RTW + BI
    - RTW + Alexander
    - RTW + EB
    - RTW + BI + EB
    - RTW + Alexander + EB

    - MTW 2

    I know that they are not state of the art software but my opinion is that MTW + XL Mod is the best and RTW + Alexander + EB the second one.

    My feeling is that RTW AI is less complex than MTW one, for example, the way tired units are managed, if you wait in RTW they are again fresh and ready and in general I win a lot more battles in RTW + Alexander + EB than in MTW + XL Mod.

  2. #2
    Not your friend Member General Appo's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2007
    Location
    As far away from you as possible. Scuzzbucket.
    Posts
    1,645

    Default Re: Best AI?

    The only reason the MTW AI appears smarter is because it´s the RTW AI that is a lot more complex. A lot more.
    Battles are much faster in RTW, giving less chance for AI manuevers, the way the strategic map and everything around it works is a lot more complex in RTW. The truth is that the RTW is a lot smarter than the MTW one, but the MTW AI has a lot easier tasks to accomplice, and so appears smarter.
    The Appomination

    I don't come here a lot any more. You know why? Because you suck. That's right, I'm talking to you. Your annoying attitude, bad grammar, illogical arguments, false beliefs and pathetic attempts at humour have driven me and many other nice people from this forum. You should feel ashamed. Report here at once to recieve your punishment. Scumbag.

  3. #3

    Default Re: Best AI?

    Quote Originally Posted by General Appo View Post
    The only reason the MTW AI appears smarter is because it´s the RTW AI that is a lot more complex. A lot more.
    Battles are much faster in RTW, giving less chance for AI manuevers, the way the strategic map and everything around it works is a lot more complex in RTW. The truth is that the RTW is a lot smarter than the MTW one, but the MTW AI has a lot easier tasks to accomplice, and so appears smarter.
    I am talking about the Battle AI. I agree with you that the strategic AI in RTW is more complex because it must manage regions and paths to invade them but the Battle AI is more or less the same, two armies and a battlefield (sieges in RTW I agree that are more complex). The speed of EB (not RTW) battles are the same as the MTW ones.

  4. #4

    Default Re: Best AI?

    Hmm. . . Battle AI. . .

    All I can give you is my anecdotal evidence, which goes like this:

    I got pretty good at Shogun, then I kicked the crap out of MTW, then I never lost a battle (the ones I fought) in RTW.

    I went back to playing some Shogun and got my butt handed to me using my sloppy, new RTW tactics. Re-learned how to beat Shogun and now I'm winning battles in EB that I would likely struggle with in Shogun or MTW.

    Interestingly, I found that M2TW reversed the trend a little bit. I actually lost several battles I would never have fought in MTW or Shogun, but that I would likely have won in RTW.

    I'm not sure if you could call the AI smarter, but my experience has been that, in order of battle difficulty, they rank:
    Shogun
    MTW
    M2TW
    RTW

  5. #5

    Default Re: Best AI?

    One reason for Shogun being quite hard might be the very high grade of specialization of the unit, even more than in any other of the games.

    But I also think the AI is better in some way in the older games of the series (STW and MTW) than in RTW, because I remember the AI using maneuvers that I haven't seen in RTW, at least not with rtw.exe.
    An example is this: My army is slightly stronger than the computer's. At the beginning we both try to reach the favourable position in the center of the map. I'm faster and what does the AI? It retreats!
    You might say: So what? especially because a lost battle in MTW or STW automatically means the loss of a province for a defender, but from a point of view of a commander it is a wise decision to abort a battle you probably can't win.

    I think the battles in RTW are more action-oriented than in the predecessors. I recall reading something I don't really understand about the complexity of battle physics in the different games which underlines this hypothesis (I'm not starting to search, course I won't find it ).
    Read about glory and decline of the Seleucid Empire... (EB 1.1 AAR)

    from Satalexton from I of the Storm from Vasiliyi

  6. #6

    Default Re: Best AI?

    Some good points made here. I should also note that the RTW engine (I haven't played M2 yet) obviously wasn't designed with set-piece battles in mind, which makes the battle situation more complex for better or worse.

    -Glee
    Sheer musical genius: Gould on Mozart

    Balloons: ("Welcome to EB" from T.A.)


  7. #7
    EB:NOM Triumvir Member gamegeek2's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Hanover, NH
    Posts
    3,569

    Default Re: Best AI?

    I think M2TW AI is the best overall. First of all, its battle maneuvers actually make sense most of the time. Second of all, M2TW has even more tasks than RTW (religion, merchants). Third, its armies tend to be well-made, with most 10+ stacks featuring a good balance of units (exception: Mongols, but that's completely historical).
    Europa Barbarorum: Novus Ordo Mundi - Mod Leader Europa Barbarorum - Team Member

    Quote Originally Posted by skullheadhq
    Run Hax! For slave master gamegeek has arrived
    "To robbery, slaughter, plunder, they give the lying name of empire; they make a desert and call it peace." -Calgacus

  8. #8
    The Aspiring God Of War Member Lysander13's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2006
    Location
    Leading the assault against the Gods at Mount Olympos itself.
    Posts
    373

    Default Re: Best AI?

    Quote Originally Posted by Kromulan View Post
    I'm not sure if you could call the AI smarter, but my experience has been that, in order of battle difficulty, they rank:
    Shogun
    MTW
    M2TW
    RTW
    My opinion would be that you have the right of it. There is no way the "Battle AI" is better in RTW & MTW2 than it's predecessors. I would agree with your rankings. Though MTW2 and RTW are about equal as far as I'm concerned. I'd give MTW2 the edge by a hair, only because the Battle AI appears to be a bit more moddable so to speak.

  9. #9
    EB:NOM Triumvir Member gamegeek2's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Hanover, NH
    Posts
    3,569

    Default Re: Best AI?

    For battle, Shogun is definitely the hardest, followed by MTW. M2TW Battle AI is more moddable, AND it seems to be smarter; its battle plans make more sense much of the time (like not sending their heavy infantry forward until their archers are done). Then again, it sometimes sits around and takes arrows when it has no archers, but usually it's smarter than RTW.
    Europa Barbarorum: Novus Ordo Mundi - Mod Leader Europa Barbarorum - Team Member

    Quote Originally Posted by skullheadhq
    Run Hax! For slave master gamegeek has arrived
    "To robbery, slaughter, plunder, they give the lying name of empire; they make a desert and call it peace." -Calgacus

  10. #10

    Default Re: Best AI?

    Quote Originally Posted by Lysander13 View Post
    There is no way the "Battle AI" is better in RTW & MTW2 than it's predecessors.
    Well, I wouldn't necessarily use the term "better". As mentionned above, STW's AI was much simpler, as it only had to deal with a dozen or so unit types. It performs better than newer versions because the newer ones are just so complex! It would be like saying a sportsbike is better than a station wagon. Well, try strapping a kayak to the roof of your sportsbike ;)

    -Glee
    Last edited by Gleemonex; 10-26-2008 at 15:30.
    Sheer musical genius: Gould on Mozart

    Balloons: ("Welcome to EB" from T.A.)


  11. #11
    Arrogant Ashigaru Moderator Ludens's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2003
    Posts
    9,062
    Blog Entries
    1

    Lightbulb Re: Best AI?

    Quote Originally Posted by Gleemonex View Post
    Well, I wouldn't necessarily use the term "better". As mentionned above, STW's AI was much simpler, as it only had to deal with a dozen or so unit types. It performs better then newer versions because the newer ones are just so complex!
    S:TW and M:TW's A.I. understood height advantage, missile fire, could set and search for ambushes. None of this applies to the R:TW A.I. Yes, the S:TW A.I. had a simpler job comparing units, but this does not apply to M:TW, and M:TW's A.I. still performed better than R:TW's. My guess is that CA tried to reduce system requirements by including less A.I. routines. Increased battle speed probably also played a role. Or they may simply have wanted to make the game easier and more accessible.
    Looking for a good read? Visit the Library!

  12. #12
    EB annoying hornet Member bovi's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2007
    Location
    Norway
    Posts
    11,796

    Default Re: Best AI?

    Quote Originally Posted by Gleemonex View Post
    Well, try strapping a kayak to the roof of your sportsbike ;)
    I think I prefer a couch (no, the Norwegian there is not me).

    Anyway, as far as battle AI goes, I can't see much difference between RTW and M2TW, except that battles are harder to win by tactics in M2TW; they are over so quickly that you don't have much time for maneuvering, so you need superior numbers or troop quality to win.

    Shogun and MTW had much better battle AI. Particularly when the AI was defending a bridge or hilltop in Shogun it was hard to overcome it. Possibly it was just well made for the rather limited set of battlefields, but the AI used the terrain to a degree.
    Last edited by bovi; 10-26-2008 at 14:35.

    Having problems getting EB2 to run? Try these solutions.
    ================
    I do NOT answer PM requests for help with EB. Ask in a new help thread in the tech help forum.
    ================
    I think computer viruses should count as life. I think it says something about human nature that the only form of life we have created so far is purely destructive. We've created life in our own image. - Stephen Hawking

  13. #13
    Arrogant Ashigaru Moderator Ludens's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2003
    Posts
    9,062
    Blog Entries
    1

    Lightbulb Re: Best AI?

    Quote Originally Posted by bovi View Post
    Shogun and MTW had much better battle AI. Particularly when the AI was defending a bridge or hilltop in Shogun it was hard to overcome it. Possibly it was just well made for the rather limited set of battlefields, but the AI used the terrain to a degree.
    I doubt it, since both S:TW and M:TW contained a lot of maps, and custom maps could be made. The maps were also more varied than the R:TW maps, which tend to be dominated by a single feature.
    Looking for a good read? Visit the Library!

  14. #14

    Default Re: Best AI?

    Quote Originally Posted by Ludens View Post
    My guess is that CA tried to reduce system requirements by including less A.I. routines. Increased battle speed probably also played a role. Or they may simply have wanted to make the game easier and more accessible.
    It's hard (but not impossible) to imagine them skimping on the feature they touted so proudly in S:TW -- an engine inspired by Sun Tzu! -- when most everything else going from S:TW to R:TW was a major revamp.

    I think they wanted to make it more accessible. Especially since they included ways to trick the AI ('loose formation' units looking more numerous, for example) piling the natural AI disadvantage with extra, purposely-programmed "stupidity".

    The S:TW engine didn't have such debilitating nuances, so I still posit that it had a simpler task overall.

    -Glee
    Sheer musical genius: Gould on Mozart

    Balloons: ("Welcome to EB" from T.A.)


  15. #15

    Default Re: Best AI?

    Quote Originally Posted by Gleemonex View Post
    I think they wanted to make it more accessible. Especially since they included ways to trick the AI ('loose formation' units looking more numerous, for example) piling the natural AI disadvantage with extra, purposely-programmed "stupidity".

    The S:TW engine didn't have such debilitating nuances, so I still posit that it had a simpler task overall.

    -Glee
    See I don't mind if that was in RTW or M2TW, but that should be what easy battle difficulty is. I would much rather that Very Hard was realistic morale, but your fighting against a napoleonic Hannibal the Great of Macedon then what you do have is a general with the iq of a chicken and the will to live of a suicidal mental patience on the top of a large building who can miraculously rally his soldiers no matter what.
    Do you find something funny with the name Biggus Dickus?

    in the EB PBeM

  16. #16
    Arrogant Ashigaru Moderator Ludens's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2003
    Posts
    9,062
    Blog Entries
    1

    Lightbulb Re: Best AI?

    Quote Originally Posted by Gleemonex View Post
    It's hard (but not impossible) to imagine them skimping on the feature they touted so proudly in S:TW -- an engine inspired by Sun Tzu! -- when most everything else going from S:TW to R:TW was a major revamp.
    I agree, but really, if you study the way the R:TW A.I. responds and compare it with the way the M:TW A.I. does things under similar conditions, you cannot but conclude that something has gone very wrong. Off course, because CA completely redid the R:TW engine, they probably had to rewrite the A.I. as well. Game A.I. doesn't necessarily work like the human player: its interface is highly dependent on the engine itself.

    I think they wanted to make it more accessible. Especially since they included ways to trick the AI ('loose formation' units looking more numerous, for example) piling the natural AI disadvantage with extra, purposely-programmed "stupidity".

    The S:TW engine didn't have such debilitating nuances, so I still posit that it had a simpler task overall.
    I rather doubt that was implemented. A more important factor would have been that more CPU power was allocated to the graphics. Also the increased speed of movement and battle resolution in vanilla R:TW would have left the CPU with even fewer CPU cycles to formulate tactics. If the S:TW A.I. responded a bit sluggishly, you probably wouldn't notice and it wouldn't matter much because battle resolution is slower and quick strikes count for less. In vanilla R:TW quick strikes are all-important, however.
    Last edited by Ludens; 10-31-2008 at 17:35.
    Looking for a good read? Visit the Library!

  17. #17

    Default Re: Best AI?

    Quote Originally Posted by We shall fwee...Wodewick View Post
    See I don't mind if that was in RTW or M2TW, but that should be what easy battle difficulty is. I would much rather that Very Hard was realistic morale, but your fighting against a napoleonic Hannibal the Great of Macedon then what you do have is a general with the iq of a chicken and the will to live of a suicidal mental patience on the top of a large building who can miraculously rally his soldiers no matter what.
    Very few people would be as happy as I, if (when?) that were to come about. But that's delving deep into neural net and fuzzy logic research. I can only hope that some budding PhD out there is a rabid EB fan.

    Quote Originally Posted by Ludens View Post
    Quote Originally Posted by Gleemonex View Post
    It's hard (but not impossible) to imagine them skimping on the feature they touted so proudly in S:TW -- an engine inspired by Sun Tzu! -- when most everything else going from S:TW to R:TW was a major revamp.
    I agree, but really, if you study the way the R:TW A.I. responds and compare it with the way the M:TW A.I. does things under similar conditions, you cannot but conclude that something has gone very wrong. Off course, because CA completely redid the R:TW engine, they probably had to rewrite the A.I. as well. Game A.I. doesn't necessarily work like the human player: its interface is highly dependent on the engine itself.
    I never got to play much M:TW -- I had a CTD three years after getting my scrumptious and sorely-missed Ghazi infantry :(

    Quote Originally Posted by Ludens View Post
    Quote Originally Posted by Gleemonex View Post
    I think they wanted to make it more accessible. Especially since they included ways to trick the AI ('loose formation' units looking more numerous, for example) piling the natural AI disadvantage with extra, purposely-programmed "stupidity".
    I rather doubt that was implemented. A more important factor would have been that more CPU power was allocated to the graphics. Also the increased speed of movement and battle resolution in vanilla R:TW would have left the CPU with even fewer CPU cycles to formulate tactics. If the S:TW A.I. responded a bit sluggishly, you probably wouldn't notice and it wouldn't matter much because battle resolution is slower and quick strikes count for less. In vanilla R:TW quick strikes are all-important, however.
    I don't know the specifics of the GPU/CPU performance breakdown for R:TW, but I suspect that the battle AI was given fewer and sparser time slices of CPU time. Maybe that counts as 'simplicity'.

    -Glee
    Sheer musical genius: Gould on Mozart

    Balloons: ("Welcome to EB" from T.A.)


  18. #18
    Arrogant Ashigaru Moderator Ludens's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2003
    Posts
    9,062
    Blog Entries
    1

    Lightbulb Re: Best AI?

    Quote Originally Posted by Gleemonex View Post
    I don't know the specifics of the GPU/CPU performance breakdown for R:TW, but I suspect that the battle AI was given fewer and sparser time slices of CPU time. Maybe that counts as 'simplicity'.
    That is most likely. IIRC a stated goal of R:TW was to keep the system requirements similar to M:TW. Since it obviously had a heavier graphical engine, something else had to be scaled down.
    Looking for a good read? Visit the Library!

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  
Single Sign On provided by vBSSO