Some people complain the NPCs are too easy, others complain they are too hard, my complaint is they are all too "samey". Lately I feel like every NPC pilot I encounter is the same pilot. I'm not just talking in combat. In fact, it's somewhat disconcerting to see passenger ships boosting out of the station and pulling hard Gs as if Tom Cruise is the pilot. When I fly passengers, I purposefully "fly gently" for their comfort. I have similar observations of miners. My alt-CMDR operates on the "other side of the law", and I'm having a hard time believing that a miner in a Type-6 is going to aggressively attack me, even "hunt me down" with their pitiful lasers, all the while spamming "I was just mining!" Then again, why is this miner equipped with SCBs? That's valuable cargo space being wasted!
I would really like to see some AI diversity added to the game, specifically designed to help create the feel of the world the NPCs populate. The majority of NPCs should follow the speed limit inside station limits, for example. Passenger ships and traders should fly "gracefully", and most non-combat ships should act defensively rather than offensively if I attack them. This isn't just about speed, but acceleration, turn rate, mailslot etiquette, etc. But let's not confuse grace with robotic perfection - yes, perfect vertical landings from a mile high, I'm looking at you!
Also, the AI should take into account whether they are flying a small ship or a large ship. I'm pretty sure the majority of NPCs I encounter still believe they are in a Sidewinder, even if they are in a lumbering Anaconda. I sat back and watched some NPC vs NPC battles, and I hate to say it, but it was kinda ugly. I know this is a game, but it would be cool if the AI was graceful, even in combat. I swear I was watching Jar Jar Binks flying that NPC Anaconda, throttle stuck on full, spinning in circles, banging into things. I much rather watch Darth Maul fighting young Obi-wan, even if it isn't as "realistic".
Finally, diversity means different tactics, and even different personalities within each "genre" of piloting. Sure, some pilots are going to be aggressive "pedal to the metal" in-your-face combateers. But others, like myself, will be slower, methodical, using my "battleship" to position for full broadsides using turreted weapons, maneuvering around asteroids to let shields recharge, purposefully increasing the distance to take advantage of longer-range weapons, etc. And the typical miner should just "run" when it's obvious they are outgunned. Now an Elite miner might dodge between asteroids while dropping mines and using defensive rear-facing turrets, all while popping heatsinks and attempting a cool "Han Solo" getaway.
When every ship of every size and type does the same aggressive dance, it doesn't matter how "good" they are, it's still becomes boring gameplay. Not only boring, but silly. Watching an elephant try to do ballet may attract crowds to the circus, but only to laugh at.
Disclaimer - this post is not meant to mock the talents of the developers in charge of the AI. I have faith FDev can make the AI that I, and perhaps you, would like to see. And FWIW, many CMDRs fly like elephants doing ballet, too
I would really like to see some AI diversity added to the game, specifically designed to help create the feel of the world the NPCs populate. The majority of NPCs should follow the speed limit inside station limits, for example. Passenger ships and traders should fly "gracefully", and most non-combat ships should act defensively rather than offensively if I attack them. This isn't just about speed, but acceleration, turn rate, mailslot etiquette, etc. But let's not confuse grace with robotic perfection - yes, perfect vertical landings from a mile high, I'm looking at you!
Also, the AI should take into account whether they are flying a small ship or a large ship. I'm pretty sure the majority of NPCs I encounter still believe they are in a Sidewinder, even if they are in a lumbering Anaconda. I sat back and watched some NPC vs NPC battles, and I hate to say it, but it was kinda ugly. I know this is a game, but it would be cool if the AI was graceful, even in combat. I swear I was watching Jar Jar Binks flying that NPC Anaconda, throttle stuck on full, spinning in circles, banging into things. I much rather watch Darth Maul fighting young Obi-wan, even if it isn't as "realistic".
Finally, diversity means different tactics, and even different personalities within each "genre" of piloting. Sure, some pilots are going to be aggressive "pedal to the metal" in-your-face combateers. But others, like myself, will be slower, methodical, using my "battleship" to position for full broadsides using turreted weapons, maneuvering around asteroids to let shields recharge, purposefully increasing the distance to take advantage of longer-range weapons, etc. And the typical miner should just "run" when it's obvious they are outgunned. Now an Elite miner might dodge between asteroids while dropping mines and using defensive rear-facing turrets, all while popping heatsinks and attempting a cool "Han Solo" getaway.
When every ship of every size and type does the same aggressive dance, it doesn't matter how "good" they are, it's still becomes boring gameplay. Not only boring, but silly. Watching an elephant try to do ballet may attract crowds to the circus, but only to laugh at.
Disclaimer - this post is not meant to mock the talents of the developers in charge of the AI. I have faith FDev can make the AI that I, and perhaps you, would like to see. And FWIW, many CMDRs fly like elephants doing ballet, too
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