Lion
  • Lion
  • 100% (Exalted)
  • Colonel Topic Starter
21 years ago
Right guys i am sick and tired of the crappy AI in this game... you can only play 7 comps against you and 7 hard AIs v 1 human should be impossible, it aint, its quite easy actually and quite boring as you simply have to destroy more stuff which takes longer.
What really driven me mad was a 3 hour match against 7 hard ais in which i did not lose a single unit. Not one, 7 hard ais that get extra cheat money could not kill even a bloody soldier or destroy a building, no its not that the infantry general eats tank gen butt, its just plain dumb AI.

therefore i decided to change the game's AI myself. it is a pile of ****. thousand of scripts all put on in a lazy manner, many of them to fix bugs that the lazy developers didnt stomp out (eg the AI gets $2200 because they pay for the dozer they start with and the chinook that comes with supply center).

my first mess about resulted in an AI that wouldnt build and just died.

A second try got a SWG that used only auroras

a third one resulted in this same SWG building 3x more troops, and getting his whole base up twice as fast, along with capturing more tech buildings and using better upgrades (countermeasures for planes and flashbangs for infantry). I also got it to use lots of tomahawks with S&D, bombing the enmy from afar.

I like the way its going and im tempted to completely rewrite the AI of the game. There are thousands of scripts, and having 12 different armies doesnt help. for now im working with a swg that is a complete bastard. it will use alphas on your factories, rush to tech buildings, build 10 PCUs and tomahawk your butt off...

EDIT:
v0.2 beta has been released!
get it here! http://www.cncgeneralsworld.com/page.asp?page=zerohour:advancedaimod 


keep tuned for updates :D

Creator of the ZH Advanced AI MOD.
Get the latest version here:
http://www.cncgeneralsworld.com/page.asp?page=zerohour:advancedaimod 
Sponsor
MicScoTho
21 years ago
Too much for this forum to handle - only because we have a limit set 😛

Us at Generals World may be interested in hosting your mod. Of course, we're interested in knowing more details about it and its progress. And naturally, we'd like to have this done in a professional manner. So, let me know when you have more updates, and I'll stay tuned 😄
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Blbpaws
  • Blbpaws
  • 100% (Exalted)
  • Administrator
21 years ago
Very, very interested. I have been searching for an AI guy for two weeks. You might just be the one.
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swish
  • swish
  • 92% (Exalted)
  • Major
21 years ago
you double posted.
I used to go the beach and build sand castles out of cement and watch as kids come and try to kick them over.
Thegimp
  • Thegimp
  • 100% (Exalted)
  • Commander in Chief
21 years ago
Very very True and nice work with the AI idea..I like it 😛
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Blbpaws
  • Blbpaws
  • 100% (Exalted)
  • Administrator
21 years ago
Tell us how it goes Lion. I like the idea.
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rlgl81
  • rlgl81
  • 88.25% (Honored)
  • Major
21 years ago
DO you have anykind of real time frame of which this would be complete? Its got my attention
"Who wants to touch my nubbing?" -redvsblue-
Lion
  • Lion
  • 100% (Exalted)
  • Colonel Topic Starter
21 years ago
UPDATE POST 1:
i tried changing many variables in the AI logic, as before, im working in the SWG. I ran into a problem: i can tell the AI when to build but not what to build, so i can make it build a reactor first so it can go up the tech tree but not make it build more PCUs at the moment. I can make it build as many units as i want though.

My new test AI built 2 Pcus and had two more in construction before any of the other AIs finished even building a palace/propaganda center or strategy center. I also tweaked the attack squads. the AI now sends lots of tomahawk launchers in enough number to take many tanks out, and missile defenders coupled with avengers make it even more formidable. the group is extremely effective but i need pathfinders to make it good V infantry units, i am looking on how to make it pick the pathfinder with its gen points.


I had a few test matches 1v1 and 1v1v1 on twilight flame, the SWG won every single one of them. It built up its base extremely quick (5-6 dozers) and went for superweapons straight away. Incoming units were bombed by auroras and survivors hit by emp patriots and large groups of comanches. Sneak attacks/ambushes were EMPd and destroyed by comanches.

After eliminating the enemies resource getherers with ion cannons it ususally launched an attack on 3 fronts and bombarded the base with tomahawks, defending tanks were eliminated by tomahawks and MDs, while enemy aritllery was mostly stopped by avengers or destroyed by tomahawks before they could fire as S&D gives them the range advantage.

I am now working on the code to make auroras work properly, when attacking the enemy base they will fire at any enemies on the way and carry on to the enemy base at 50% of their speed and with no ammo, getting shot down pointlessly.

i need to figure out how to make it build what i want (more airfields for auroras, more defenses, more PCUs) and it will be a formidable opponent.

By the way, if you can set the limit to 300k or something and allow RAR files i could upload replays of the AI in action.. it aint impressive right now but it beats any other hard general, ill be doing 2v1s tonight
Creator of the ZH Advanced AI MOD.
Get the latest version here:
http://www.cncgeneralsworld.com/page.asp?page=zerohour:advancedaimod 
rlgl81
  • rlgl81
  • 88.25% (Honored)
  • Major
21 years ago
Isnt it kinda bias that your wanting a harder AI yet your the one making the changes. You will know what to expect from the AI. Just seems kinda odd
"Who wants to touch my nubbing?" -redvsblue-
Lion
  • Lion
  • 100% (Exalted)
  • Colonel Topic Starter
21 years ago
In reply to rlgl81's post, it will NEVER be finished. AI is one thing you can always improve on. Right now im just messing about with it to learn the workings of the AI. It seems very complex but im not sure if i can make a smart AI or a "pro" AI (smart AI = adapts to your every move. "pro" AI = WC3 AI, efficient and lethal but dumb) as it uses a primitive predication system such as this:
IF [game starts] THEN Build barracks
IF [you have 3000 credits and a supply center] THEN build war factory

and so on.. ill see what i can do with it, but so far i can make the AI some good twice as hard to beat at the very least.

and in reply to you post just above, the AI is pretty predictable already anyways. but if it takes out your power with alphas, then ion cannons your war factories, leaflet drops your tanks in you base then tomahawks your butt off while a burton bombs your buildings, even if you know its gonna do it will make it a challenge.

UPDATE:
i also found out it could be possible to make "templates" for each general that are picked at random and they can dictate what the AI will build/attack with. It will be too much work to make a complete template but that might just leave you wondering whats coming for you
Creator of the ZH Advanced AI MOD.
Get the latest version here:
http://www.cncgeneralsworld.com/page.asp?page=zerohour:advancedaimod 
rlgl81
  • rlgl81
  • 88.25% (Honored)
  • Major
21 years ago
So this project isnt to challenge YOU in game play but to let otheres enjoy it and let you get better at tweaking......right? Your first post made it seem like you weren't challenged enough in solo play. Dont get me wrong I understand were your coming from but I have never seen an AI in which you couldnt learn how its reacts to you. Just takes a little time and then you know how to counter.
"Who wants to touch my nubbing?" -redvsblue-
Firion Corodix
21 years ago
yes it takes a little time, but if he releases a new version with small changes every weak and you update it then it takes a long time to learn what the ai always does, and if it at one time masses on air and the second time thesame ai masses on tanks and defenses then you wont really know what to expect, you can't make counters for both air and tanks at thesame time if he masses one of em, you need to do spy sats many times, but if he masses on air but tries to trick you by making a small amount of tanks too then you might still fail in defending because you might think he's gonna use many tanks.

and i just thought of this, we still need a guy who does the ai for the all stars mod i think.
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rlgl81
  • rlgl81
  • 88.25% (Honored)
  • Major
21 years ago
Thats not very realastic to release a update every week or so. To me any AI will lose its fun it just takes a little time.
"Who wants to touch my nubbing?" -redvsblue-
Lion
  • Lion
  • 100% (Exalted)
  • Colonel Topic Starter
21 years ago
well i also get the fun factor of watching my creation kicking the butt of EA's creation. I just done that.

UPDATE:
i played a 2v1 and my AI won out pretty nicely. I managed to get it to build a second barracks (first success in about 10 attempts) and now ill try to make it build more drop zones. When it was about to finish off the last enemy AI the map was dry, not a single supply pile left! and as it spent most of its money rebuilding fromt he nukes/A10s/FABs/PCUs/auroras/tomahawks and all the crap the enemies were throwing at it there was none left for attacking so it won by using particle cannons at the enemy with the occasional raid.

the AIs in general cheat on hard, they get extra free cash, but in a stupid way, they get a huge lump sum at once, which they waste quickly. ill make them get a slow controlled flow of money to help them play better, and reduce the insane amounts of defenses they build by supply centers. Im also working on making the AI upgrade the MOAB properly.. ill tweak and update later
Creator of the ZH Advanced AI MOD.
Get the latest version here:
http://www.cncgeneralsworld.com/page.asp?page=zerohour:advancedaimod 
Lion
  • Lion
  • 100% (Exalted)
  • Colonel Topic Starter
21 years ago
right im gobsmacked...
i had my first match against it. I never play against one AI as its just too easy but as i had to test it i did it while eating pizza and in max game speed.

It was me as stealth gen. I built up my base, defenses, took derricks etc then humvees started killing my workers, then tomahawks came and as i finished my palace he had 2 particle cannons already. the quads got killed by the tomahawks and i couldnt shoot down his gatherers as his emps outranged my quads by far. then i sent buggies to deal with tomahawks... one tommie killed each buggie while the avengers made sure the tommies survived!
i though it was bad then. but then the alphas came, in time with 2 particle cannons...
i gave up...

i wasnt playing 100% at all but i was sure impressed with it nevertheless...
gimme hosting and ill post the current version...
im off to try and beat it this time
Creator of the ZH Advanced AI MOD.
Get the latest version here:
http://www.cncgeneralsworld.com/page.asp?page=zerohour:advancedaimod 
Blbpaws
  • Blbpaws
  • 100% (Exalted)
  • Administrator
21 years ago
keep giving updates. I'm very interested in your talent.
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swish
  • swish
  • 92% (Exalted)
  • Major
21 years ago
i'm very interested too. keep giving updates.
I used to go the beach and build sand castles out of cement and watch as kids come and try to kick them over.
Blbpaws
  • Blbpaws
  • 100% (Exalted)
  • Administrator
21 years ago
does this AI only work for SW gen?
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Firion Corodix
21 years ago
When this AI mod comes out then ill download it for sure i love a challenge
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Lion
  • Lion
  • 100% (Exalted)
  • Colonel Topic Starter
21 years ago
Right i beat the bugger, but its much harder now. it almost won a 3v1 as well (only lost because the enemy captured 8 derricks and they got none, which was decisive late in the game)

The match was me as stealth V my SWG AI on final crusade.
match started off pretty calmly, i built up my base quiclky made 2 supply centers, built stinger sites and tunnel networks by the bridges. I captured all oil derricks but the 2 near his base.
Soldiers coming for the derricks and a few humvees were quickly dispatched by my stinger sites and quad cannons.
I finish my palace. i hear "general, we uncovered an enemy particle cannon". four seconds later i hear it again, i think "s***!"
i start sending raids to take out his resource gatherers and buggies for his patriots, but they get tomahawked and whenever i got through he sent 8 comanches and missile defenders and destroyed my raiding party.
suddenly one alpha takes out my defenses on the north bridge, both stinger sites and network. Another comes and blows up the holes. as i send my army to fill the gap my workers are getting mowed down by a sentry drone that got through. I got mad and started building scud storms and lots of troops.
i tried Jarmen Kell but he got spotted by spy drones/patriots and blown up by firebases quickly.
with 8 buggies i managed to put a hole in his defenses, losing them all to an alpha a few seconds later, i then sent a lot of quads and garrisoned the town. I suffered heavy losses but managed to keep a foothold.
then the ion cannons started to hit.. my barracks, arms dealers, supply stashes.. all gone.
i rebuilt them with my good income from some 6 markets and massed on quads while using jarmen kell to pick off his tomahawks.
i finally won when i scud stormed him 4 times in time with a massed quad/buggy attack, with rebel ambushes taking out his alphas on the ground (and getting mowed down by comanches).
my base was wrecked by the end, with fuel air bombs, A10s and alphas making a mess.
tough but fun game...
ill make it harder now 😁





i am only working on the SW general, why? because each general has a completely independent AI, and each is made up of hundreds of dumb scripts that together make some intelligence (read book out of control by kevin kelly and youll know why im working with it)

yes 12 different AIs where 90% of it is the same for each! the lazy developers rather make the same easy job 12 times then actually work hard on making a good adaptable modular AI...
to make it worse the lazy buggers made it so the MAPPER has to stick AI waypoints so it can figure its own way around the map, thats how dumb the generals AI is. Good thing about having a crap AI is you can improve on it easily :)

my plan is to finish a general at a time, getting quicker as i get better, as most of the stuff can be pasted to other generals with little change with same results.

Im now working on base building, filling firebases, humvees and picking pathfinders as gen point. I am also making it build its base up faster still (no idle dozers)


want to help me guys?
I NEED TO KNOW IF THE AI DOES THIS ON YOUR MACHINES AS WELL:
start a game with 2+ AIs (china or USA), FFA. then immediately sell your command center and watch the AIs build.

do they send a dozer to the building site and it stays at 0% for a while even though the dozer should be building as it is right next to the building site?
i just need to know as i find it very odd, and i managed by accident to fix that a few times
Creator of the ZH Advanced AI MOD.
Get the latest version here:
http://www.cncgeneralsworld.com/page.asp?page=zerohour:advancedaimod