AI: Mid-Game

from Stardock Forums
Howdy.

Has anyone observed the AI falling asleep during the mid-game? It seems to to _very_ well during the opening phases, but when it gets to the mid-game (around battle cruisers/battleships) it falls asleep. I liken it to a weak chess program with a good opening book database--it knows the moves it needs to make up-front, but when it gets out-of-book it doesn't play well. (The underlying complexity is magitudes greater for Galciv, but the analogy serves its purpose.)

For example, the event occurred where all planets gain PQ +5. Nary a colony ship was sent out by the AI to colonize these new, but non-yellow, planets that were 15+.

/ds
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Reply #1 from Stardock Forums Top
I had, in the late game (like, within 24 turns of my winning by culture), the +5 PQ to all planets in a sector and surrounding sectors. I colonized just about every system available, but the AIs managed to grab a few as well.

~SDC~
Reply #2 from Stardock Forums Top
In my experiences (which are fairly limited), it seems that some of the races, most notably the Drengin, have such a rush to build their military quickly that it drains their cash flow and they are forced to slow down and build some social improvements to pay for all their shiny new hardware. They also have to take the time to research the tech that makes those improvements possible.

Or, I could just be an idiot. :p

DblDamage
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Reply #3 from Stardock Forums Top
I've seen the AI capitlize on the PQ event you talk about in the game I've just completed, but your point still stands.

The problem, I think, is that it is far too easy to capture AI planets, even when their navy is equal to or superior to your own - it simply does not react with enough force to battletransports escorted by 2-3 dreads, and does not garrison its planets enough. You can get to their core planets without being harassed too much, and then it is not unusual to find AI's best planet defended by defender-class ships.
Reply #5 from Stardock Forums Top
OK. Good to hear that there isn't a fundamental flaw with additional colonization. Perhaps I had the AI in such a bind it couldn't afford to do it.

But, aside from that one instance, it does seem like the AI slows down in the mid-game and flounders.

To that end, does anyone know when the next major AI patch is expected? You know, the one that uses the strategies employed by the top metaverse players--to play more "human".

/ds
Reply #6 from Stardock Forums Top
hopefully soon...

i mean, i think it's a great game, but i'm gonna wait until the military/starbase AI is significantly improved before starting a new map. as it stands i find it too easy, even on the highest levels ( this is without using any "cheesy" tactics like planet flipping, scout blockades or even picking the +15% PQ bonus ).

cheers

h