The AI ... some wishful thinking

[Geoffrey S]

If so much effort can go into programming an excellent looking game, I'd be surprised if that much time couldn't be invested in improving AI, at least to adjust the innate dumbness of the one in RTW.

What would be a nice thought is if a generic strategy AI could be developed which could learn in the way you said, by some seperate company, like the Havok physics. That combined with an extensive amount of options for the AI to use (say, suggested tactics for large small hoplite force against cavalry heavy enemy) would hopefully improve the game significantly.

[DensterNY]

Well, aside from undertaking the tremendous task that would be necessary for a genetic algorithm there is already evidence that the battle AI can be fine tuned. I don't know who on this board has been fortunate enough to catch some of the time commander shows on the BBC but basically the producers on the show had redesigned the battle thinking of the AI. Specifically the programmed the AI to fight like Romans and they do a pretty good job of it and usually beat the human players so I wonder why CA doesn't take a look at their example and learn.

First, it has been proven that the hardcoded aspect of the game can be improved upon so its not like they can't recode their engine. Second, have AI nations fight like their actual, historical counterparts. For instance, Hannibal used the double envelope tactics quite successfully on the Romans so have the Carthagians form lines with weak centers and strong flanks. Gallic fighters were supposedly one-trick-pony fighters... they'd charge at your lines until it broke or until they broke - not very ingeniuous but its what they did. The Mongols and the steppe horsemen very successfully used the I can hit you but you can't hit me approach with their horse archers.

Otherwise, as we have it now when you fight the AI its all the same... The Egyptians fight like the Spaniards, like the Greeks, like the Dacians, etc...

[GFX707]

Well, anything would beat the current experience. I just won a siege where the enemy, with 2 armies with 3 towers, 2 sap points and 2 rams, upon losing all the men destined for one particular sap point to arrows, just stood there for the entirety of the siege....and did absolutely nothing despite having all that siege equipment left. I had to sit there and wait for the time to run out.That's 7 minutes of sitting there staring at the screen. Great gameplay there.