AI modding interface?

from Stardock Forums
I have been thinking this for several games I have played. And because some post by someone at Stardock (I think) mentioned that AI code was object oriented and I understood that different races have different AI code, but that they use some common objects.

So was wondering if it would be possible to make interface other people could use to create new AIs for this game? Many FPSs have bots and this game has good modding possibility and I think it would be great if there would be possibility to mod AI too.

If code is nice object oriented code it would be possible for modders to take one part and change it and use given AI for rest.

I am sure that that kind of opportunity would get even lazy me to do some modding :)

~SDC~
306 views 5 replies
Reply #1 from Stardock Forums Top
It seems to complicated. Even though the AI is object oriented, it's still all code, and complex code that requires evaluation routines and all that too. And you know they're not going to let anyone have the source, and I don't think they're going to want to create a new appliance to edit the AI. Again, I'm not stardock, but when you evaluate everything, I think it's safe to say that the chances of this happening are slim.
Reply #2 from Stardock Forums Top
It depends.

In my work I have used very complex frameworks without knowing anything about their source, all you need is interface definitions.

It could be done from two directions.

a) Hide low level stuff and give needed interfaces to mod AI "personality"
b) Give interfaces you must implement and how to put your low level module into custom AI. For example your module could be asked what is danger level on some sector etc.

~SDC~
Ashes of the Singularity II
Reply #4 from Stardock Forums Top
Not going to hold my breath while waiting for it ;)

But it would be cool, I always wonder why FPSs have modded bots but still haven't seen any strategy game with such things.


~SDC~
Reply #5 from Stardock Forums Top
i suspect that it would be too much work for them to evaluate the (potentially numerous) ai mods to ensure that someone hadn't put in some easily exploitable weakness in it to boost their score.