Unfair A.I. Miniaturization advantage

It ain't right

from GalCiv2 Forums
Ok, as we all have complained about miniaturization making compenents get bigger (Which you really have to admit almost defeats the purpose of miniatuization, actually makes some levels of it worthless!), the A.I. players seem to have their components not get bigger with miniaturization... At least that is the only thing I can think of as I was looking at the specs for one of the A.I.'s ships.

Kork Dreadnaught
(Massive)
2x Ultra Life Support
3x HyperWarp MkIII
21x Zero-Point Armor (yes, I do mean 21!)
3x Quantum Torpedo MkIII
Miniaturization level is at 75%

So with a 75% miniaturization, a massive hull will get 140 points of capacity.

2x Ultra Life Support = size 8 total (10 once Miniaturization clears 90%)
3x HyperWarp MkIII = size 36 total (39 once Miniaturization clears 100%)
21x Zero-Point Armor = size 126* total *(Might only be 105 at 75% miniaturization)
3x Quantum Torpedo MkIII = size 33** total **(Might only be 30 at 75% miniaturization)

So how come they can fit a possible 203 units of space (Might only be 189, but still well over 140) into a hull that only has 140 points of Capacity?!?

I stole the Altarians Hyperion Shrinker, so my Miniaturization is now at 130% (I actually lost capacity due to components enlarging on Large Hulls). I tried fitting those same components in, and I can't fit them into a massive hull and I have almost twice the miniaturization. This is playing a game on Masochistic, so maybe A.I. players aren't affected by the SizeMod?
6,996 views 4 replies
Reply #1 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
That does seem odd. I hope the AI doesn't get bonuses there *as well* on masochistic. The gap from crippling is already utterly ridiculous (I've only just managed to work out how to almost keep up in the colony rush).

Anyone know for sure?
Reply #2 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
on masochistic, the AI gets a miniturization bonus - I think 25%

It seems odd that no one has updated it in the GalCiv Wiki because I swear it was implimented a few months ago.

Check the update logs.

I know theres a miniturization bonus for Suicidal, it was implimented because too many people could beat the game with just economy and manufacturing bonuses. I'm not positive about masochistic.
Galactic Civilizations IV
Reply #3 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
I never understood why there are so many difficulty levels in this game anyways ??? I get a huge challenge already on the "challenging" level and I'm always satisfied. I'm sure the AI gets tons of bonuses on the last 2 difficulty levels and in my opinion, difficulty levels shoudn't be about bonuses ( like miniturization ) but rather extra resources on the map like other turn-base strategy games. That way, you will still have time to expand and build your empire before they rush you. Again, having 5 levels of difficulty would of sufficed in this game and I'm sure people playing the highest settings are getting confused with what could be a bug vs huge amount of bonuses for the AI.
Reply #4 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
As you get to the higher difficulties, the A.I. uses more and more advanced Algorithms to determine their moves. The most advanced ones are used when the A.I.'s intelligence is at Intelligent and above, at least according to the manual. Since the highest 3 difficulty levels each use "Incredible" as their intelligence, I imagine other bonuses are applied to actually make a difference.

Also, the A.I. does get progressively larger and larger economic, production, and research bonuses, or at least larger production and research bonuses. In the manual, it says that the A.I.'s economic/production/research levels are these:

Fool: 10% of normal
Beginner: 25% of normal
Sub-normal: 50% of normal
Normal: 75% of normal
Bright: 100% of normal
Intelligent: 100% of normal
Genius: 125% of normal
Incredible: 200% of normal

However, these bonuses are applied for levels of intelligence, not levels of difficulty... So what other advantages does the A.I. get for the last 3 levels where the A.I.'s intelligence is the same, but the difficulty is different?

Here is the answer...

I have no idea, but would love to know! Please release an updated electronic manual!!!