given the state of the AI in the tw series, i think it would be folly to consider it a core technology that must be protected to keep the competitors at bay. As it stands, no competitor would benefit significantly by having access to this AI.
CA, however, stands to benefit massively from having input from other people with regards to AI design.
It should also be possible to have multiple AIs, so that different factions/generals/maps can load up a different AI. Even if none of these is inherently superior to the standard AI, the very fact that you don't know which it will be, will limit your ability to set up knowing the weaknesses. But also tailor made AIs for different kinds of terrain and defenses could be made.
Furthermore CA could encourage AI vs AI battles with a cash prize for the winner in a tournament. This would rapidly spur development in battle AIs.
All of the development gains made can be used by CA in subsequent titles.
The result is that at best, they will have outsourced a major development area for nothing much while they can focus on other things like graphics.
At worst the job is too challenging for the community and nothing serious changes to the AI but the grumbling might stop.
But none of this is likely. What is likely is they will protect what is not worth protecting, rather like their own CAI and BAI in fact. There will likely be some more slight improvements, but sieges will still be ridiculous and battles easy and an AI simply unable to cope with the possibilities provided - and there will just be a few tweaks by modders.
The wishlist will be postponed for the next game.
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