AI programmes running your empire ... following from the...

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1784 days, 10 hours, 13 minutes ago
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singularity
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AI programmes running your empire ... following from the Planetary Management thread.

QUOTE @Robodoc

My script is designed to work as an AI, so it manages things automatically using some reasonable rules-of-thumb, and does not give the user any options for micro-management. The script manages planets automatically, and optionally builds starbases and ships, routes freighters, and manages warships. The freighter routing works fairly well, and I believe that my script runs a better economy than Hiatus (and manages planets better than some human players).

/QUOTE



Robodoc - if you do write an AI to manage your freighters (and assuming it works well), please please don't release it.

If you do you'll practically force every new (and experienced?) player to use your code. We'll then get into the situation that people will modify the code to get an 'edge' and then it comes down to the best programmer, not the best planets players.

I appreciate that it will save you/other players time, but it will IMO spoil the game.


What does the rest of the Nu community think?

Or maybe give the code to Joshua to improve Hiatus? ;)


(For information I have a BSc in Computing, specialising in AI programming, and have considered doing this too before I thought it too powerful).

Singularity
1784 days, 9 hours, 31 minutes ago
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glyn
RE: AI programmes running your empire ... following from the...Write Reply
Well, you really won't like my planned scripts...
1784 days, 9 hours, 8 minutes ago
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pat
RE: AI programmes running your empire ... following from the...Write Reply
If i read this right you are going to write a script that is going to manage your planet, build your starbase, build your ship and manage freighter route...so what is left for you to do, look at the ai have fun playing planet.nu
1784 days, 7 hours, 19 minutes ago
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mule
RE: AI programmes running your empire ... following from the...Write Reply
I can't understand the complaints.

1. Nobody is every forced to use a script they don't like. There is nothing wrong with just saying, "Not interested."
2. I can see wanting an AI I could oddload some of the work on if I got temporarily overloaded in real life. Don't know if this would do that, but just saying.
3. Managing an economy is not exactly the most thrilling activity for many players. I can see wanting someone, even a semi-literate AI drone type, doing some of it for me.
1784 days, 7 hours, 19 minutes ago
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mule
RE: AI programmes running your empire ... following from the...Write Reply
I can't understand the complaints.

1. Nobody is every forced to use a script they don't like. There is nothing wrong with just saying, "Not interested."
2. I can see wanting an AI I could oddload some of the work on if I got temporarily overloaded in real life. Don't know if this would do that, but just saying.
3. Managing an economy is not exactly the most thrilling activity for many players. I can see wanting someone, even a semi-literate AI drone type, doing some of it for me.
1784 days, 7 hours, 5 minutes ago
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mule
RE: AI programmes running your empire ... following from the...Write Reply
that is...
offload and not oddload.

Oh for an editor or the patience to be a better proofreader of my own posts. :)
1784 days, 7 hours, 5 minutes ago
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pat
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@Mule
Don t misinterpret me, i m not complaining just pointing out fact here. I play this game because i enjoy it, agreed that economy is not the most interesting thing out there, but when i win i can take all the credit, i did not rely on a script. I afraid that we are looking at future game (if AI kick in) where human factor we be diminished. I love this game trying to read opponent move, getting them nervous so that they make mistake. You where right i was complaining that a script will take away an aspect of the game i like the human factor where mistake are made ( by me most often) and where people learn and get better.

You will have to excuse my grammar english is not my native tongue.
1784 days, 6 hours, 58 minutes ago
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mule
RE: AI programmes running your empire ... following from the...Write Reply
Pat... understood.

I also prefer playing against real people and not computers. This is what make Planets great. It is why I do not play NU's level games.

But, even back in Planet's stone age Tim provided a certain amount of built in "helpers." I sometimes used them and sometimes didn't. But, that choice as well as my micromanaged choices were (and still are) all mine.

And I have been bitten as often by not micromanaging as I have been by making a mistake when I do. As long as there is a hand on the steering wheel, it's OK with me if he wants to look out the window. :)
1784 days, 6 hours, 30 minutes ago
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robodoc
RE: AI programmes running your empire ... following from the...Write Reply
Hi Singularity. I think any non-cheating AI will be a poor substitute for an average human player. I don't see the script that I'm working on as giving an "edge" to anyone.

The script will manage planets better than a human player that fails to maximize his factories and optimize his taxes, but won't perform as well as an attentive player that knows what he's doing. Freighter routing is more complex than planet management, so the relative performance of the script is not as good. And the war planning will be more simplistic and predictable than an average human player.

You could use the script for just managing planets, or add in the freighter management, starbase management, and/or warship management components. You could play against it as an alternative to Hiatus (with it playing in its own account), or have it fill in for a human player in a player-hosted game.

If have an especially busy week, perhaps this script could at least keep your economy going for you for a few turns. This isn't ideal, but could be better than just clicking your turn ready without doing anything.

Possible negative impacts:
1. A player could use the AI to play his turns for most of a game. For some players, this might actually result in an improvement. But I think most of us hope for better quality play in our opponents.
2. We already know that the achievement system is flawed, and a player could take advantage of that by using an AI to farm achievement points and campaign resources by "playing" extra games. Perhaps a player only has time to play 3 games as a human, but could play an extra 5 using an AI.
1784 days, 5 hours, 38 minutes ago
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glyn
RE: AI programmes running your empire ... following from the...Write Reply
I'd prefer everyone have the ability to let an AI play turns they cannot, than outright missing the Turn.

But, mainly I want moving of resources, and fuel management to be automated... as well as giving ships commands for multiple turns.