why arent they talking at all about the AI?

**Sabuti** · 06-25-2006, 14:25

Originally Posted by LordHugh

Mainly because the mass-market seems to be more interested in games looking great instead of playing great. CA also have the problem of having to balance the game so people new to it or people with very little knowledge of tactics (which I'm betting is the vast majority) won't be completely over-run by the AI. Unfortunately this means the game is less challenging and often more frustrating for the more seasoned players who expect AI improvements in every new iteration of the game.

That's what difficulty settings are for. So this is no reason to not improve the AI. Without substantial AI improvements this game is not even worth buying.

**GFX707** · 06-25-2006, 21:25

Yes....personally I will probably try a "friend's" copy first to see what the improvements to the AI are like. If it's just more eye-candy like RTW was to MTW, then I will not be buying it.

**Brighdaasa** · 06-26-2006, 00:44

Originally Posted by GFX707

a "friend's" copy

Nice euphemism, got to rember that one.

Although that's basically what the demo is for, to see if you like the game.

**Duke John** · 06-26-2006, 07:01

Normally yes, but CA heavily scripted the demo and let the AI come so close that there was hardly any time for manouevring left once the battle started. So you cannot really get a good idea of the AI. However if they do that trick again it will be for me a clear sign that they want to hide something. And of course the unitspeed will play a big role on wether I will lend a friend's copy for the first time

**Lord Adherbal** · 06-26-2006, 10:58

I borrowed a friend's copy of RTW too, just to get it a day or 2 before the release over here (belgium). But then I bought it to get a CD key for MP. But I doubt I'll be needing one for MTW2.

**sunsmountain** · 06-26-2006, 15:04

If the multiplayer balance is similar to RomeTW at first, you won't be missing out: All Cav armies at first...

Plus a quick 1.1 patch to get started in the first place.
Plus a gamespy arcade that seems to drop random people while other (or the same) people are lacking in connection.

But at least you won't have the Romans with automatically the strongest melee troops and cav and pretty good missiles, which is nice i guess...

**The Wizard** · 06-26-2006, 15:31

CA might defend itself with saying that the AI shouldn't be much of a challenge -- but that's where the learning curve comes in, huh? Games, if they are on computers or not, are supposed to be challenges. In video games that challenge is either provided by the AI or online.

As such, everything else is secondary and is there merely to provide a credible platform from which the AI or another human player can provide a fair and straightforward challenge that is not insurmountable.

What does this imply? That the AI can be cunning like never before and still a game doesn't have to be a drag for 'newbies'. Part of the fun in strategy games, is, after all, learning and growing into a fearsome general.

As such any argumentation going along the lines of "let's not make this too hard on the new players" is null and void. If you don't want a challenge then don't play games.

Oh... and on the .com: it reminds me more of North Korea than anything else.