AI Language/Personality

How dare you attack my city 'PlayerX'!

from Elemental Forums

[EDIT] Old post, wanting opinion.

I haven't played the game yet, and I was wondering what considerations have been made regarding the ways that the different AI personalities use language.

Smart AI is great for the strategy side, but for an RPG feel and better immersion, what is the AI doing to make players feel that they are matching wits with a unique and genuine opponent?

I was thinking that it could be done in a similar way to some RPGs with their conversation structure, like Neverwinter Nights for example.

AI-> What is the meaning of your Altarian Pathfinders traversing my frontier posts?

Player->
1. Nothing to worry about my Lord, they are merely trail-breaking and scouting for the coming hunting party.
    AI-> That is well enough. See that they don't wander needlessly or too far. (Result=Calmed)

2. I'm afraid I don't know what you're speaking of, I have no units positioned near those areas.
    AI-> I'm sure. I only hope for your sake that you are also sure my friend. (Result=Suspicious)

3. Why must you consult with me on every minor issue, until tedium gnaws at my will for your incessantness and I consider rashness in my frustration? It is nothing, just ignore them!
    AI-> Choose your words carefully Sorcerer. Scorn is not the looked for reaction from a Ruler of my standing, and with my ward being your daughter, haste is not the best course in our dealings. (Result=Annoyed)

4. My army goes where I bid them child of woe, unchecked and unceasing until their mandate is fulfilled. Hinder or halt them and earn my disfavour at your worst peril.
    AI-> Perilous are your words mongerer, and foolish! With the blood of your kin I will have scribed for you the meaning of woe, as you have favoured naught but your own demise. (Result=Angered) Possible war declaration.

The response types and wording/tone can change depending on the personality of the AI player and on the current status of the power rankings. The severity of the reactions can also depend on personality or racial differences among other things. Also, depending on the situation, the converations can be more than one or two levels deep.

7,940 views 4 replies
Reply #1 from Elemental Forums Top

I don't think this would be a difficult thing to implement even at this stage, though I could be wrong. I just think it would make the game feel more real.

Reply #2 from Elemental Forums Top

elemtental.str

go at it (: It's well documented. 

Offworld Trading Company
Reply #3 from Elemental Forums Top

I like this idea. One thing that everyone seems to agree on is the fact that the AI nations need more personality, and this would be one way to give it to them. My only question is this: how exactly would "calmed" and "suspicious" and etc. affect the game? Other than the conversation itself, it seems that the only thing the attitude results would do is change your diplomatic standing with the other nation, which I don't think is significant enough. It seems to me that, in addition to this system, there would have to be some way to make the conversations more meaningful in a gameplay sense.

Reply #4 from Elemental Forums Top

Quoting IronKaiser, reply 3
I like this idea. One thing that everyone seems to agree on is the fact that the AI nations need more personality, and this would be one way to give it to them. My only question is this: how exactly would "calmed" and "suspicious" and etc. affect the game? Other than the conversation itself, it seems that the only thing the attitude results would do is change your diplomatic standing with the other nation, which I don't think is significant enough. It seems to me that, in addition to this system, there would have to be some way to make the conversations more meaningful in a gameplay sense.
End of IronKaiser's quote

I tend to agree there. Perhaps different responses could result in specific AI actions being taken. For example, if the AI is suspicious at a particular response, they might send some troops out to the area in question in this scenario just to be safe. Being annoyed might cause the AI to cancel a trade agreement or persuade an ally to go to war with you or to cancel a treaty with you.

Some more brainstorming is needed here I think.