Worrying 1up.com Preview

Hopefully just an earlier gamma version...

from Sins Forums
Was just browsing through 1up.com and came across another preview for Sins; http://www.1up.com/do/previewPage?cId=3165369

It raises a few concerns about the tactics and capabilities of the AI, and subsequently the campaign itself. Not sure if this preview has been mentioned before(this forum after all is ruthlessly efficient in covering SoaSE) but was curious as to whether the issues 1up raise are a product of playing a pre-release candidate (and have now subsequently been resolved)?
71,969 views 51 replies
Reply #1 from Sins Forums Top
The AI was a placeholder and will not affect the final game in any way shape or form, the campaign will be melded with the skirmish mode, you will get nested quests, random events and so on and so forth during your skirmishes, you will, however, have the whole galaxy to play in on the larger maps so skirmish isn't really the right word. :p
Reply #2 from Sins Forums Top
The A.I has been improved in the last few months the devs claim.
SoundPackager - Customize the Windows sound scheme
Reply #3 from Sins Forums Top
It sound like the behaviour that the AI has been showing since the earliest version. When listening to the devs, it sounds like they solved that allready. I don't think it's fair to make a previes based on a beta version, without even mentioning it is a beta...
Reply #4 from Sins Forums Top
Well the preview was very much based on the campaign-skirmish mode that we've been hearing about which is why talk of the AI worried me. Hopefully as you say Malice that even at that stage (10th Jan 08) the AI was still a placeholder, and not the predictable walkover that 1UP make it out to be.
Reply #5 from Sins Forums Top
Hmmm interesting to say the least... I wonder what version they have... I guess this really does some up the game so far...

" An empire full on depth and fun, but lacking a story. "

:NOTSURE:
Reply #6 from Sins Forums Top
they got the Beta, what exactly were they expecting?
Reply #7 from Sins Forums Top
dumb asses its really low not to mention they covering the beta how else could they write the preview i am sure the devs has not given them a copy of the final version
right devs??
Reply #8 from Sins Forums Top
according to the devs nobody save themselves and some invitees have gotten the internal gamma build.
Reply #9 from Sins Forums Top
:NOTSURE: well then , the previews are not really that great of an advertising method...
Reply #10 from Sins Forums Top
1) most people dont know that
2) if you're complimented on your basic build, the full fledged game has GOT to be better. that is unless you make the pink space ponies green or somesuch nonsense.
Reply #11 from Sins Forums Top
yeah, it would be nice if they didn't expect kasparov from a beta AI, but the missions sound good.
Reply #12 from Stardock Forums Top
All there is to do is wait and see what the players here will say once they got the game. You don't have to buy the game ASAP. I think we have raised many concerns here and they have been acknowledged. And if the out-of-box game isn't all that when it comes to AI, perhaps a future patch will rememdy that.

I remember when I pre-ordered X3 - Reunion, I got it after it was released in the stores. And the game itself wasn't playable at all for months. But now it's awesome.
Reply #13 from Sins Forums Top
Well, it does seem to imply that they're using some version that we don't have, given that we've never seen this behavior:

In order to improve diplomatic relations with one race, we were asked to wipe out 10 civilian colonies of another race, so we obliged.
End of quote


*shrug*

I'm not overly concerned either way, though.
Reply #14 from Sins Forums Top
well, aintst this a surprise...

well in any case their only complaint is a lackluster AI that can be beaten teh same way every time. hrm, that sounds like just about ever RTS game thats ever existed.
Reply #15 from Sins Forums Top
I would imagine that by now something beyond beta 4 has been distributed for preview, otherwise if it is only the developers who have access to Gamma we can pretty much disregard anything we read. If this isn't the case however, it'd be a major disappointment come release (since i did pre-order months ago).
Reply #16 from Sins Forums Top
Thats definetly a review of a more current build then we have.

Cause the AI gave them missions.

I'm not that worried about the AI when the game first starts. Though it will be quite stupid still, it will be better then Beta 4. And Stardock has already said they will work with Ironclad to continuosly improve the game. And seeing the fact that Stardock is AI crazy I am sure it will soon be up to speck.
Reply #17 from Sins Forums Top
ya but ppl should realise that its impossible to create an AI in a RTS based game which can compete against decent players.
So you will prolly always have to use more than one AI opponent to get a real change. Still in the end you will always find a way to "exploit" the shortcomings every AI has.
Reply #18 from Sins Forums Top
FACT:
every single RTS AI is retarded.

There isn't a single AI that can beat any semi-skilled human without cheating.
Reply #19 from Sins Forums Top
Problem is that AI dont have a feeling, not Stardock and Iron only try to create give AI a more logic but a feeling too. Mah, maw!
Reply #20 from Sins Forums Top
It is an old review based on a an old build and I think was clearly labeled as such last time I looked at it. So it should not be an issue especially for anyone that can comprehend time methinks.
Reply #21 from Sins Forums Top
Spartan, its dated like two days ago.... and includes features we don't have :D

That said, the one major AI issue in it is an easy enough one to fix (predictable attack position), I imagine the devs will do it either before release or in a patch shortly thereafter.
Reply #22 from Sins Forums Top

Ron - it's based on a post beta 4 build. Not gammas. It's pretty dated.

I'm a little surprised that they didn't give more benefit of the doubt considering it's beta.  I don't recall the Supreme Commander betas having their AI disected prior to release.

That said, I agree with the preview. It is an accurate description of what the state of the AI was in that build.

It's worth noting (as GalCiv players could tell you) that the AI in GalCiv II was a total joke until the last month or so when I finally had enough time to sit down and start doing stuff with it.

In the gamma builds, I'd rate the AI was being decent but not great. But better than any RTS I've played other than Company of Heroes which has a very good AI.  And once we hear player strategies in the release it will get better.

 

Reply #23 from Sins Forums Top
And once we hear player strategies in the release it will get better.
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Oh yea, Stardock is also very good at nerfing things.

Reply #24 from Sins Forums Top
Ron - it's based on a post beta 4 build. Not gammas. It's pretty dated.
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Good :D
Reply #25 from Sins Forums Top

Spartan, its dated like two days ago.... and includes features we don't have

That said, the one major AI issue in it is an easy enough one to fix (predictable attack position), I imagine the devs will do it either before release or in a patch shortly thereafter.
End of quote


Hmmm.... then we are talking about a different review then. I was not aware they released one a couple days ago. I guess I should make my over there to check it out.