AI & Research

[Edwin P.]

A good player always aligns his research priorities with his war strategy. The AI in SC does follow this policy. Sometimes the Russians will research Rockets but never build any rockets. The Axis will research subs but never build any subs.

In SC2 the AI's war strategy and its Research strategy should be linked. If the AI has adopted a Battle for the Atlantic strategy it should produce subs and research advanced submarines. If the Axis AI is focused on a conquest of Russia strategy it should devote more resources to Anti-Tank, Infrastructure and Armor Techs, in addition to Air and Long-Range.

In SC2 it appears that the maximum research areas and build limits for each major power can be set in the editor. Thus players can easily prohibit Russia for example from researching or building Rockets. One could also prohibit Italy from researching armor or building armor thus focusing its resources on the development of Anti-Tank weapons.

It will be interesting to see if you can have the AI's research priorities change depending on which phase of the game the AI is in. For example. Italy during the start of the game might research gun laying radar or armor. In the end game when the allies are threatening invasion of Italy it might be restriced to researching anti-tank or air-defense. The AI should also adjust its research based on its existing units. If the AI has no surface ships and does not plan on building any why should it research gun laying radar?

End Game - Axis Losing

Triggers

1. France Liberated AND Russia occupies Warsaw or Bucharest OR Allies Occupy Salerno

Italian Defensive Strategy

-- Researh Limited to: Anti-Tank, Air Defense

-- Research chits in other areas are reclaimed.

-- Production Limited to: Corps, Army, Armor

Another area is that the AI does not reclaim research chits in an emergency. For example, if the Axis have launched a Sea Lion and London has fallen the AI should probably reclaim all available Chits to fincance the production of units to protect Manchester.

Allied AI Notes

- Responding to the Axis Naval Strategy

In SC2 the naval war will play a major part in the game and the US/Allied must have acces to routines that respond to threats in this area.

There appear to be three ways to respond to a naval threat - 1) Build a Naval Force or 2) Build a Naval Air Fleet. A key element is deciding whether or not there is a naval threat and whether the AI will pursue a strategy that requires a strong navy - ie Med Invasion Strategy.

[ May 08, 2004, 08:52 PM: Message edited by: Edwin P. ]