Discuss the AI here!

What do you think of the new AI?

  • Too hard

    Votes: 954 46.7%
  • Just right

    Votes: 838 41.0%
  • Too easy

    Votes: 117 5.7%
  • Other (give reason)

    Votes: 134 6.6%

  • Total voters
    2,043
  • Poll closed .
Status
Thread Closed: Not open for further replies.
Something worth considering (unless it has already been mentioned), is that the reason the NPCs have got harder is that we will need training to handle the Thargons (and whatever THEY are fleeing from)! As things were we would have been a walkover. This way we may have a chance, especially if we can stop our petty squabbles and learn to work together.

Oh when the Thargoids turn up this forum is going to explode if FD make them anything like they were in previous incarnations.
 
Sorry I didn't read the whole thread so these comments may have already been said but the AI changes are too drastic. Im sure the Elite players love it but if you're an average level or new player you've got no chance now. This is just going to alienate more players.

I don't remember the last time I saw the rebuy screen and I've been there twice this morning, I really don't want to have to run every time im interdicted there's no fun in that, especially given you're now interdicted every time you travel from A-B regardless of whether you are carrying cargo or a mission or not.

Anyway, I think this is going to kill the game for a lot more people than will appreciate the extra difficulty.

Sp prior to the update, you never died. That's because of the stupid AI you faced. Now you have challenge.

Yesterday, I flew from point A to point B several times and was not interdicted. The times I was, I knew I could escape or fight. My choice.

I hope everyone who this "kills the game for" leaves for good. The game wasn't for you.
 
Something worth considering (unless it has already been mentioned), is that the reason the NPCs have got harder is that we will need training to handle the Thargons (and whatever THEY are fleeing from)! As things were we would have been a walkover. This way we may have a chance, especially if we can stop our petty squabbles and learn to work together.

I think its more to do with a year and a half of people campaigning for better AI. Now we have the better AI, some people are conflating the bugs with the actual AI improvements, while others who never wanted a better AI are now speaking up about it, or perhaps were even wanting a better AI, but now they have it, have decided its too hard... although i don't find it to be such a serious improvement.
 
I would say that expecting less-able players to struggle unreasonably simply so you can feel thrilled (which, thanks to that old chesnut the hedonic treadmill, probably wont last overlong) is a more entitled attitude than simply wanting to enjoy a game as part of the non-hardcore masochist set.

I have not lost a ship since 2.1 despite being involved in PP, I bought this game for simply the combat aspect, but I 100% agree, combatants should not enforce their type of gameplay on others. I 100% support the idea that miners/explorers/traders should not be subjected to insane/OP godmode modded NPCs. Wanting a challenge for the Hardcore enthusiasts is easy, dump your shields rid your vessel of HRP and go to HI RES/HI CZ, want even more of a challenge ? go to a high security system and attack a clean target , let those wings of Security units track you down and test your suicidal tendencies against that group, this popping the "git gud" fun at non combatants is ludicrous, maybe instead of saying "git gud" to an already suffering NON COMBATANT, look in the mirror and say "git compassion" ? UNreal the level of toxic behavior by some of those who consider themselves ACES and want to push their own will on all others who don't see eye to eye with their idea of what is "fun"

THIS IS A GAME, all this talk of, oh learn combat, learn skill, what skill ? people signed up for a course at a university ? LEARN ? NO! Enjoy and have FUN thats what the consumer paid for! And this is coming from someone who has only done some trade/smuggling missions for reps, most of my 400+ hours have been spent in combat, ever since 2.1 I have ONLY done combat, cos I cant be bothered about carrying cargo and getting dicted every few min, AND HAVE YET TO LOSE A SHIP, but that does not mean I lose sight of the plight of the non combatants who have paid to "ENJOY" this game, not to be blown up every few min, and not to be made fun of by the "git gud" crowd!
 
Something worth considering (unless it has already been mentioned), is that the reason the NPCs have got harder is that we will need training to handle the Thargons (and whatever THEY are fleeing from)! As things were we would have been a walkover. This way we may have a chance, especially if we can stop our petty squabbles and learn to work together.
Now you get it. That is exactly what i am talking about. They are prepare us for Thargoids. Cause they are even worse than a nigthmare.
 
Last edited:
LEARN ? NO! Enjoy and have FUN thats what the consumer paid for!

page101.jpg
 
We do not need to get better, just keep demanding NPC wingmen.
Like to see the Thargoids stand up to NPC wingman in a Sidewinder - that would show them!

Nice to see FD are looking at this, took me all back holiday weekend to work out how to stay alive in the start ship with the current build, even if this are toned down a bit, worth while investment of time.

Simon

Something worth considering (unless it has already been mentioned), is that the reason the NPCs have got harder is that we will need training to handle the Thargons (and whatever THEY are fleeing from)! As things were we would have been a walkover. This way we may have a chance, especially if we can stop our petty squabbles and learn to work together.
 
Sp prior to the update, you never died. That's because of the stupid AI you faced. Now you have challenge.

Yesterday, I flew from point A to point B several times and was not interdicted. The times I was, I knew I could escape or fight. My choice.

I hope everyone who this "kills the game for" leaves for good. The game wasn't for you.

Yes of course I died prior to 2.1 but it wasn't certain death for facing and fighting. You could at least flee if the AI was getting the better of you. Now it's run or die pretty much.

It's a bit silly hoping that people 'leave' as all this will achieve is less people contributing to CG, less people to meet in open.

My complaint is really that it's too difficult im sure with practice I'll get better and be able to hold my own it's the sudden and brutal way it's been introduced, it's a game changer and these things should be gradual or have some balance, not interdicted by superior ships every time.
 
I have been avoiding saying anything on this thread, cause I know it might upset some people but........

I understand that a lot of people are a bit overwhelmed by the new AI.. but Everyone still has the choice whether to engage or not. And I may upset a lot of people saying this, but there are many things YOU can do to easily deal with the NPC AI Buff

The biggest problem with the AI is everyone's not willing to adjust their expectations or playstyle to suit the new difficulty levels. You are now no longer the most powerful ship in the galaxy, you and your ship can no longer be expected to win every NPC encounter, and thats how it should be.

Other than the current known bugs with railguns and PA's firing like multicanons, there is no reason why you should be getting killed all the time.. Here are some points to consider

- If the res site your farming in is too hard, then go to a regular or lowRES zone. (there is your difficulty setting right there)
- If NPC ships pulling you out of super cruise are too powerful for you, learn how to run and low/high wake
- If your ship is getting blown up before you can low/high wake then think about your setup, adjust it, use chaff, use point defense, adjust your tactics.
- Running trade ships without shield is now highly un recommended, especially in smaller ships
- Dont just face your enemy when initiating combat, come up from behind them, dont attack wings or ships with a very high pilot skill level.. have a look at their loadout before opening fire, if they have rails, or PA's then maybe avoid them for now.

There are so many different ways that dont rely on actual combat skills to either avoid combat, or initiate it more carefully.

Also, I am happy to put my money where my mouth is and offer up some training and in game help to those who feel that they still cant get their head around it..

I am not saying to those having problems to "git gud" cause that is not helping anyone.. I am saying, maybe adjust your thinking, and also your expectations, and approach NPC's from a different angle and respect that the next NPC you come across COULD kill you..
 
Oh when the Thargoids turn up this forum is going to explode if FD make them anything like they were in previous incarnations.

This. Better learn to deal with better AI now than learn later to deal with better AI in OP thargoid ships.

And yeah, the forums will erupt in flame the day the thargoids appear. So sad.
 
I have been avoiding saying anything on this thread, cause I know it might upset some people but........

I understand that a lot of people are a bit overwhelmed by the new AI.. but Everyone still has the choice whether to engage or not. And I may upset a lot of people saying this, but there are many things YOU can do to easily deal with the NPC AI Buff

The biggest problem with the AI is everyone's not willing to adjust their expectations or playstyle to suit the new difficulty levels. You are now no longer the most powerful ship in the galaxy, you and your ship can no longer be expected to win every NPC encounter, and thats how it should be.

Other than the current known bugs with railguns and PA's firing like multicanons, there is no reason why you should be getting killed all the time.. Here are some points to consider

- If the res site your farming in is too hard, then go to a regular or lowRES zone. (there is your difficulty setting right there)
- If NPC ships pulling you out of super cruise are too powerful for you, learn how to run and low/high wake
- If your ship is getting blown up before you can low/high wake then think about your setup, adjust it, use chaff, use point defense, adjust your tactics.
- Running trade ships without shield is now highly un recommended, especially in smaller ships
- Dont just face your enemy when initiating combat, come up from behind them, dont attack wings or ships with a very high pilot skill level.. have a look at their loadout before opening fire, if they have rails, or PA's then maybe avoid them for now.

There are so many different ways that dont rely on actual combat skills to either avoid combat, or initiate it more carefully.

Also, I am happy to put my money where my mouth is and offer up some training and in game help to those who feel that they still cant get their head around it..

I am not saying to those having problems to "git gud" cause that is not helping anyone.. I am saying, maybe adjust your thinking, and also your expectations, and approach NPC's from a different angle and respect that the next NPC you come across COULD kill you..
They are casuals. They don't want to think, to adapt, to fix their tactics. They want to have button - win. The don't want to win actually. Only to press button for it. So lazy players..
 
Last edited:
I have not lost a ship since 2.1 despite being involved in PP, I bought this game for simply the combat aspect, but I 100% agree, combatants should not enforce their type of gameplay on others. I 100% support the idea that miners/explorers/traders should not be subjected to insane/OP godmode modded NPCs. Wanting a challenge for the Hardcore enthusiasts is easy, dump your shields rid your vessel of HRP and go to HI RES/HI CZ, want even more of a challenge ? go to a high security system and attack a clean target , let those wings of Security units track you down and test your suicidal tendencies against that group, this popping the "git gud" fun at non combatants is ludicrous, maybe instead of saying "git gud" to an already suffering NON COMBATANT, look in the mirror and say "git compassion" ? UNreal the level of toxic behavior by some of those who consider themselves ACES and want to push their own will on all others who don't see eye to eye with their idea of what is "fun"

THIS IS A GAME, all this talk of, oh learn combat, learn skill, what skill ? people signed up for a course at a university ? LEARN ? NO! Enjoy and have FUN thats what the consumer paid for! And this is coming from someone who has only done some trade/smuggling missions for reps, most of my 400+ hours have been spent in combat, ever since 2.1 I have ONLY done combat, cos I cant be bothered about carrying cargo and getting dicted every few min, AND HAVE YET TO LOSE A SHIP, but that does not mean I lose sight of the plight of the non combatants who have paid to "ENJOY" this game, not to be blown up every few min, and not to be made fun of by the "git gud" crowd!

This is just crazy. You want us to place handicaps on ourselves just to make the AI challenging? That means it's broken. I use to do that before, and I'd hate to go back to that again (though I still don't turn off flight assist ever).

The "toxic behavior" is because we've had to suffer through brain-dead AI for so damn long, and now with better AI (not that much better), the MMORPG grinders are trying to force their way of playing back onto us when there are better space games out there for safe grinding. Besides, many of the complaints are bogus. One of the principal complainers on this thread didn't like the fact that he couldn't target small ships with fixed weapons while flying his much bigger ship. He had to "resort" to using turrets. The AI of small ships shouldn't be so stupid that you can play Top Gun with it while piloting a Battlestar. Most other complaints boil down to, "I never died before, but now I do -- nerf it", and "I can't farm NPCs anymore".
 
Oh and btw guys. You see that new beam and pulse heal experimental effect? Do you really think it is for pvp?

You will cry like a little girl on this forum cause WINTER IS COMING.
 
Last edited:
Can't wait to take my new found combat skills into real life, do you think it will look good on my resume?

No idea, my mom always told me to stop wasting my time playing computergames. *)
Now I have a job that pays as much as my mom and dad made combined at the hight of their careers.

Should have watched more TV I guess. :p



*) Ah, those 80ies games. Just like real life, they had no "happy end" - they just got harder and harder until you were dead.
 
Last edited:
Yes of course I died prior to 2.1 but it wasn't certain death for facing and fighting. You could at least flee if the AI was getting the better of you. Now it's run or die pretty much.

It's a bit silly hoping that people 'leave' as all this will achieve is less people contributing to CG, less people to meet in open.

My complaint is really that it's too difficult im sure with practice I'll get better and be able to hold my own it's the sudden and brutal way it's been introduced, it's a game changer and these things should be gradual or have some balance, not interdicted by superior ships every time.

Funny. I have no trouble fleeing even immediately hostile Deadly AI. Perhaps you need to fly a faster ship, invest in chaffs, or stay out of dangerous areas? Keep all of your power in your engine before traveling so that your thrusters will be ready the moment you drop out. In fact, it's still too safe!

You using a lot of hyperbole. Every time? The last two "contests" I had were against a novice and a mostly harmless. I'm sure even in an un-shielded type 6 most could take them out blindfolded (my own hyperbole). Overall, most of the ships I have faced since 1.6 have been low and mid ranks, and I've beaten almost all of them.
 
Last edited:
Everyone still has the choice whether to engage or not.

Some of the seeming bugs involve excessive interdictions and being unable to escape death by any means. So, you're wrong there.

And I may upset a lot of people saying this, but there are many things YOU can do to easily deal with the NPC AI Buff

The AI bugs 100% can't be dealt with, easily or no. Sometimes they're infrequent, but other players report being hit with some (such as unreasonable amounts of spawned interdicting ships) in a run of play, which, again, they can do nothing themselves to avoid.

The biggest problem with the AI is everyone's not willing to adjust their expectations or playstyle to suit the new difficulty levels.

There are other outstanding AI-related issues which are not clearly bugs, but require further tweaking if they are by design, and most of them are in the direction of 'harder' in some sense.
- Reports of excessive jousting or circling tactics by AI ships - while they might be effective tactics they are dull to fight against and it needs rethinking if it was by design. If that makes the fights nominally easier, then it's still more fun than looping for minutes on end.
- Reports of unreasonable manoeuvrability on AI ships - being unable to keep a target in even your turrets' sights might be realistic and/or difficult, but it's not fun.
 
Status
Thread Closed: Not open for further replies.
Back
Top Bottom