Challenge for all modders out there

**The_Mark** · 03-06-2005, 00:59

Now, with modders exploring the world of RTW scripting, why not to try it out, what the scripts can really do for RTW. Namely, to fix one incomplete (read: nonexistant) feature: Tactical Battlefield AI.

The Challenge:
Therefore, I challenge all capable modders of the RTW community to create a tactical battlefield AI.

AI should be able to hold a coherent battleline and execute/counter flanking manouvers with a good army. That's it. It doesn't have to be a military genius, just something that gets a job done, or at least behaves like it would try to get the job done, neither it desn't have to be campaign-compatible. Just make a custom battle with the AI.

There are plenty of useful scripting commands out there, and I'm sure we can do a better AI with them than what it is now. I know we can. We just have to do it.

Once the AI is complete the modders may get an elusive bogus price.

**Myrddraal** · 03-06-2005, 09:56

I noticed that some historical battles and the prologue battles already have scripted AI.

**The_Mark** · 03-06-2005, 10:49

Yes, but most of those scripts are run intro, some are used to keep units marching from place a to place b (siege of sparta) where they are released from script control. In Gergovia the Gauls are ordered to charge, then control is released. The only script controlling units for some time into te battle is Trebia. There the script only makes the romans march straight to player in formation, and once a unit is close engough to player's unit, it attacks.

Actually, that is something our normal AI lacks: keeping formation. But the AI we need would have to be a bit smarter. We still need some manouvers. We need something that wouldn't pile all it's troops uselessly on the front line, but to keep them in reserve, or flank with them. You know what we need. Do it.

The last two sentences actually sounded quite weird.

**Myrddraal** · 03-06-2005, 11:19

Problem is writing the script which anticipates moves
Like countering outflankation

**lt1956** · 03-06-2005, 12:10

Well they may open up AI in the expansion you never know?

Lt

**The_Mark** · 03-06-2005, 12:42

Originally Posted by Myrddraal

Problem is writing the script which anticipates moves
Like countering outflankation

Not a problem. The script has just to check whether player's units threathen to outflank AI's troops, and then move reserve units to counter it.

I don't know how flexible the script engine is, but I think it could be done, although with the commands listed by blitz576 it could be a little tricky. Tricky, but possible.

Originally Posted by lt1956

Well they may open up AI in the expansion you never know?

I hope so. [wishful thinking]Or they might make it so that we wouldn't have to fix the AI.[/wishful thinking]