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Quote Originally Posted by mor dan
Pizzaguy, you don't want to play a computer. You want to play a person. A computer can't do what you've asked it to do unless they start building neural nets into video games. All it can do is run a set of prescribed algorithms, and those will always be dictated by your actions. VH/VH tells the computer to be warlike. Diplomacy is for the weak. Attack, Attack, Attack. Well, for some people who play that style of game, it's a challenge. I like to solidify my position first. Root myself into the ground so deep that even if you defeat me you'll be dealing with my ghost for the rest of eternity. On M/H, I get to play that way. I have time to develop my trade lines, and everyone wants to trade with me. I have time to develop my navy. I have time to let all of the historical triggers take place in a system where I level about the same as the computer.

If I develop a program that alternates paths of destruction, in that at the beginning it chooses its path to victory of taking out the world, you will eventually learn it and once again there will be no challenge. My advice to you is to mod your enemies to be stronger than you. Limit yourself to only certain unit types. Do what it is the computer can't do. He can't anticipate you. But you can anticipate him. Role play your kingdom as that ruler would have acted. Take on their strengths and weaknesses. Redefine your goals for "victory". Use your imagination to make this highly moddable game into something brand new everytime you turn it on.

Meh. I've played strategy games that had wide variances in how the AI plays a game. This one is too predictable.

Civ II through IV had a good range of AI behaviors.

Sure, I'd love to play against humans, but the current system of doing online hotseat games takes way too long.

I love the feedback, though.