Re: A new XAI is on it's way!!
Hello,
I asked Xerxy if I could write about what we're doing here in the beta testing and he asked me to write up a review. So since I'm quite new around the forums Xerxy thought it would be a good idea to introduce myself. I'll get into some very exciting details on the AI and how it's coming along. This will be the First of several reviews and I'll focus on the battle AI for now.
Introduction:
So who is Madmardigan? Well I'm a modder much like a quite a few of you around here. I started modding on Ghost Recon and did the typical modder-thing by tinkering with the game files. That was my introduction into scripting and I had a blast. The next game I modded was Operation Flash Point and in that game I really began to dive into every modding aspect imaginable. Scripting, AI development, 3D Modeling, Texturing, Sound Editing, Video Editing... you name it, I probably did it. I'm very passionate about video games, and much like everyone else I have my own ideas on how things should be lol. That's most likely the reason I began modding in the first place. I've overloaded my HD with editing programs for pretty much every possible avenue necessary to mod a game. I've left very little room for anything else but I leave aside room for my favorite video games and Medieval Total War II Kingdoms is no exception!
I originally came to these forums to update my MTWIIK game, I dug through and picked different mods that suited me. I've been playing the game off and on since the initial release so I know the community has been through the hoops on several situations. I ran across a post that mentioned XAI and had a link here. I happily jumped in and snagged up the latest XAI (3.2) to use in my game. I've used a couple in the past but this seemed like a great step in the right direction. I dug further in the forums here to find that these guys have a continued effort in developing XAI. That was something I was very happy to hear about. I'm an impatient person that just happens to be a "modder", I decided I wanted to help out the team and speed up the process of getting the new XAI out the door so I offered to pick up some of the smaller, tedious tasks like testing and creating a self install package for the mod.
Now mind you I'm in the beginning stages of a mod in a completely different game. I've now put all that on hold since I've tested the new XAI 3.4, the results absolutely speak for themselves! Most of you are like me and probably are tired of hearing... "THE AI IS COMPLETELY FIXED!!!!" As a community this statement has been made off quite a few of the official patch's. So when someone tells me how good the AI is I tend to have a little voice deep in the back of my head. That little voice tells me, "there will be something wrong, there will be an exploit..." and it assures me that time will reveal these faults. Another side of that is full of hope. Up until now the little voice has been correct and with every patch, statement and failed attempt, that little voice grew...until XAI 3.4...
The testing platform we're using is XAI 3.4 geared for PDER 1.0a. I've never played PDER but I'm going to tell you, they complement each other like spaghetti and meatballs! We've had some small issues but let me tell you, this has been a blast. The working elements of the XAI 3.4 blew my mind. I honestly couldn't believe what I was seeing! For those of you who didn't know, XAI is featured in quite a few mods and they have plans for updating many more. If you have a mod, make sure you check this out on the release date, I'm absolutely sure you will want this running in your mod!
I felt as though the original lackluster AI was horrible, it wasn't tough enough, smart enough and it just wasn't working. I got to beta test this new version of XAI 3.4 and what I found (and I know you will too) is that all those issues are no longer an issue! It goes beyond that though, the experience I am having with XIA 3.4 is what I should have had with MTWII from day one!
I promise you, in terms of difficulty this is dead on target. It's not cheap either, there are logical reasons behind the AI's movement not just in the Campaign AI but also in the Battle AI and Diplomacy! It's not predictable, there are no catch's, exploits or just plain BS! They fixed the bugs and glitches that CA so kindly left for us... I am not over exaggerating! Even with a few things out of place, I would rather have this beta version than any other AI currently out!
I'm seeing the XAI maneuver intelligently and methodically on the battlefield! I'm seeing the XAI use diplomacy as it should have done from the release! I'm experiencing an AI that operates on causality! XAI 3.4 has made playing MTWIIK fun again!
During beta testing I began to feel irritated, none of my usually strategies were working. I started to think the AI was too overbearing but then I realized what had happened. I've been playing a video game that shipped with broken AI and I roamed around freely with very little consequence to my actions. I wanted a settlement... it was mine. I had become, to some degree oblivious to the faults of the AI and it had impacted me beyond a level that I was unaware of. Now with XAI you can't just do what you want, you have to plan strategically and balance a fine line between loss and victory. There is a very real feeling of freedom in that! No more weak victories... when you win against the XAI you will actually feel accomplished no matter how small the victory is! You will know and understand what defeat is, and it won't come in a cheap way!
From what I gather about the XAI team, these guys are passionate about their mod, they've put in countless hours over many years to bring you this and it shows. I feel extremely lucky to be just a small part on the trailing end. So when the AI whoops your butt, make sure you rep the team and thank them!
In the next few posts I'll dissect some engagements with video and pics. I'll also show you some of the tactics the XAI has in store for you! It's OK to be excited about this guys, from one modder to another this is a very sure thing and it will deliver!
Congratz to xeryx and the team.
PROUD MEMBER OF PAENINSULA ITALICA TEAM 
Originally Posted by MadMardigan
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