Ghost in the Machine

The new AI is finally here!

It was a lot of work to integrate a whole new AI platform, and I was never sure that I would end up with anything useful, but I am pretty happy with it. The AI itself is only a little bit smarter right now than the old one. But the important thing is that the AI is now completely adjustable and extensible. Each AI player can have its own strategy and tactics and changing those tactics is very easy.

So you may not notice a whole lot of difference in the AI right away, they will be able to get much better without a huge effort.

Here are some things you should notice about the new AI right away:
1) The AI fleet should stick together better instead of getting all spread out.
2) they will now use side firing weapons and lay mines
3) they will now target different weapons on different ships
4) they will avoid mine fields
5) They are better at dodging projectiles
6) They are better at pursuing other ships (especially the light fast ones)
7) They will surrender now if they cannot win instead of you having to chase down that one last Lancer that is impossible to hit.

Here are some things they still don't do, but will be able to do soon:
1) They don't use jump drives
2) They don't use tractor/repulsor beams or energy drain beams to any real effect

So Enjoy! And as always, let me know what you think.