AI issues - any hope?

[R48]

If you don't want to know about some AI shortcomings don't continue to read this post.

There's an interesting post on SimHQ that lists a nimber of AI weaknesses here: http://www.simhq.com/simhq3/sims/boards/bbs/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=129;t=001387

About half way down the thread there is a list of problems. Some aspects have been improved (aircraft targetting via Airpower), but I wonder if the escort problems can be improved? Can the length of time an escort searches and the size of a search area be improved by a mod?

[CCIP]

Well, not really, since the AI is hard-coded and protected.

It hasn't really been improved for Airpower, it just uses a tricky workaround to avoid bugged AI routines and replace them with more functional ones (likere-assigning the useless level bombers into deadly dive-bombers, or cutting out the bugged Elite planes from airbases).

Search length, though, has been already improved in RUb (on my suggestion). They now search for 40 minutes instead of the default 15 after losing direct contact with you. Any longer, and there is a very high chance that they'll split off from their original group (e.g. leave the convoy and sail independently) - plus it would be useless as you're usually far enough from them by then.

But we can't actually improve the AI routines themselves, we can only use what's already there. I'd love to be proven wrong on this, but signs point otherwise

[R48]

Search length, though, has been already improved in RUb (on my suggestion). They now search for 40 minutes instead of the default 15 after losing direct contact with you. Any longer, and there is a very high chance that they'll split off from their original group (e.g. leave the convoy and sail independently) - plus it would be useless as you're usually far enough from them by then.

Ah...I see it. I must have missed this when I read Beery's read me. And you're right about them never catching up again to the convoy that would pose another problem.

But we can't actually improve the AI routines themselves, we can only use what's already there. I'd love to be proven wrong on this, but signs point otherwise

Yeah, I kind of thought this might be the case. Lately some of the mods are are far beyond anything I thought was possible so I thought it was worth mentioning.

It doesn't look like there will be an add-on. I wonder if there ever will be a SH4?

I'm looking forward to your new damage model.