XAI 4.0 released!

[xeryx]

Me too! Espesialy for permisions the have been granded to CBUR and TGC.

But we seak not only to use XAI but in technical assistance by the XAI team
in order the finall "product" will fit perfectly.
We have very limited expirience in such matters!

You will surely have it, but we are here to help, not do it We will check the alignment and kick the tires for you though.

I think that many should learn how these things work, it will only help your mod design. Also understanding how it works, will allow you to tweak it to your mod!

For those "people without direction or motivation" that can't seem to find what improvements we have made to the CAI and BAI ...read the first post!

[AnthoniusII]

My friend i am to old to learn so many things.I learned basic (coppy and paste) modeling but the rest look to my eyes "chinese"!
As Americans say "you can't teach an old dog new tricks"!

[TroyC]

Hi there,

I'm trying to download the files for XAI 4.0.
Xeryx's signature pic takes me to http://www.mediafire.com/Xeryx.
But if I click "Download this folder" I get a popup that wants me to upgrade to "MediaPro" where I have to pay money to d/l the files.

Is there any chance the files can be hosted somewhere where I can grab them all in one shot?
(even better might be a torrent).

While writing this, I've managed to d/l one of the files. (this mediafire site is a labyrinth of popups

I'll keep trying to download them. I hafta do something, the default battle AI in Medieval 2 is pathetic.

Troy

[Achilla]

Hi there,

I'm trying to download the files for XAI 4.0.
Xeryx's signature pic takes me to http://www.mediafire.com/Xeryx.
But if I click "Download this folder" I get a popup that wants me to upgrade to "MediaPro" where I have to pay money to d/l the files.

Is there any chance the files can be hosted somewhere where I can grab them all in one shot?
(even better might be a torrent).

While writing this, I've managed to d/l one of the files. (this mediafire site is a labyrinth of popups

I'll keep trying to download them. I hafta do something, the default battle AI in Medieval 2 is pathetic.

Troy

It's merely a folder containing the new and legacy files, used for easier navigation. You aren't supposed to download it all, just click the folder and see what's inside, then choose individual files which you want to download.

[Hunter_PT]

Hi Xeryx, i have been way for a long time now, i am now the the owner of a video game shop its called EXTREME GAMER and in these last few weeks i didnt have time to play video games , but i came back when i saw your new Xai 4.0, so i installed KGCM 4.2 and your xai 4.0, i deleted the map file and made the reset for the cache, and i deleted the money scripts bonus AI, to see how clever the AI is.
I started a new campaign with teutonics VH/VH and i was stuned how well the ai was playing in the camp. map, they defend well and make good atack decisions, i saw disenbarks every were wich i never saw before, and the diplomacy make sence now, so CONGRATULATIONS for YOU and your TEAM for making this wonderfull game worth playing.

I would like to give you a vote but i couldn`t see the sitch to vote? Maybe i cant.

I forgot to mention the BAI is awesome good work.

[xeryx]

Then it would be good for you to recruit a young "Padawan", to work on it too.

[xeryx]

Changes:
* Fixed many other religious rules, that we not aligned to the proper religious faction and also gave less weight to them, until the end.
* The Pope now considers any destruction of any Church a crime. Depending on who does it, depends on how bad the penalty.
* With that, your own religious factions of course are thankful to stop the spread of other religions, but to a much lesser degree
* MANY diplomatic rules are changed and gave more weight to Acts of Violence and Brutality Globally.
* Went through Crusades and Jihades, changed the weights of the actions, and many bonuses and penalties..
* There must be an easier way to code this stuff!! (there is and I am doing it)
* The goal to make all religions aligned closer in penalties and bonuses (for same actions). This ensures better mod compatibility.
* Fixed many irregularities for diplomacy.
* PLUG and PLAY - hopefully!
EDIT
* I have decided that making an alliance with the POPE, will be a very sharp double edged sword. It is not advisable to do so even for the short term benefit. ONLY a Worldy Saint will gain benefits, and be able to unite the religions. Don't worry though you can always break the treaty! Guess you will think twice before doing that again!

Because of the frustration level of editing the Faction standings, file. I have decided to undertake major re-writing of it. To do it as it originally should have been. I am going to enhance Thorns rules! changing from factions to the use of religions instead. So that they are much more simplified, and can be put into any mod. With only minor adjustments for uses of the different religions. This is long overdue for the community.

So here we go, I should have it converted by next weekend.

Dark forces be with me
.

This is in dedication of Thorn!

Pretty much completed beta file for team available

[dknight237]

just great, now I'm going to have to start a whole new campaign. the addiction never ends

[xeryx]

I have some even greater news, the initial testing of the Faction standings file is going even better than expected. I have just a couple of thing to finish up with it tonight. YEAH!! Then I can finish up the CAI by Friday. The tweaks I want to do to the BAI, are going to take longer, and I don't want to be rushed with it. So that can wait for awhile, I need a break and need to play the game for awhile anyway.

I am going to do is release those new CAI and FS files FRIDAY for the PUBLIC.

Oh yeah did I mention we gained speed in turn performance, and a much more decisive XCAI.

Don't worry you will be quite please with the results.

xeryx

[xeryx]

DONE! I'll let the Team get some time to glance and play the files...and they make sure there are no errors in the files this time.

[xeryx]

So now lets recap what the new Faction Standings file does and how it pertains gaming and modding world.

1st what does this file do. Here is what it did in Vanilla.

Vanilla. Well, it has to do a lot with the POPE.
It's primary purpose was to control how the pope felt about you?
infact there we no other "religious" preferences used. Everything was strictly based on transgressions, or acts against a faction. There were a few bonuses as well faction to faction.

It also steadily increased your faction standing globally to help offset the penalties
Vanilla was only concerned with catholic to papal relations.

XCAI's Faction standings file.
* Discovery, we found out some new and exclusive command uses for religions, and the use of multiple religions in one line.
* Expanded triggers (rules) to include Islamic and Orthodox as Major religions rule set. Just like the catholics have. This allows them to interact just like the catholics do.

* I changed the way the FS works, on most rules. We no longer use the factions name, because each rule had to have each faction listed. This made conversion for mods difficult, and prone to errors (because of exact syntax). Now any mod with the base religions, will only have to check the final section before integration. (I will publicly release this, with only the basic factions, that are in every mod. It is up to you to create your own rules, it is as easy as cut and paste.

* I have included sungod, pagan, and heretic in their own "minor religion" grouping in the rules. This will allow modders to us these for non primary religious groups and change the rules easily as they see fit. Catholic, Orthodox, and Islam are kept separate and has it's own rule. This also allows the modder to customize the religious differences they want to represent in a unique way.

IE. in XAI i represent the orthodox as more tolerant and neutral towards the other main religions. but catholics and islam have much steeper changes in faction standings between each other.

* I corrected many issues with the file, mainly the faction standing were not going negative enough, to trigger actions in the XCAI. this lead to indecisiveness on the AI's part. I also balance the global corrections.

* I increased the effect of most rules. They were way to gradual, and made many rules a fixed increase or decrease, not a differential. Especially for transgressions, this gives a fixed tolerance as to what factions will "put up with"

There were many fixes to the file, and so far there is a very good increase in turn speed processing, so I think we caught them all.

You will see a complete change in the AI behavior now, it is far more dangerous. We will have to do much testing to see if th e VH level is too aggressive again. The way I have designed the levels though, they are gradual and there is no "shame" in going down a level or two, It is just a stigma that has stuck with this game for so long.

I also finished the XCAI last night, I have released it for testing for a few days with the team. I found a some issues with it as well. I changed some of the defenses, to plug up some holes. I also changed the preferred points and strengths for the AI to wage its wars. I consolidated and removed a couple of rules. I also fixed the alliance against levels for the AI. You should now see the AI forming alliances against you and other factions. Hopefully, they wont gt too out of control, as it is a fine line to work with. I made vassals easier, for the AI to seek them. the reason for this is mainly to get feedback.

Speaking of feedback,
So far we are upto about 300 downloads. Now I realize that there are many people out there that prefer to be lurkers, but there have really only been a few people giving feedback. So if you run across an issue, please give us a full description of what mod you are running it in and that sort of thing. There are many issues that do affect the AI, from mod to mod. But faction standings and attacks or defenses are strictly AI issues. Specific targets are hard code. I know that this next release will put down many issues. Honestly I am surprised that more feedback wasn't reported. Especially since that CAI was in Soul Firez's mod previously. I want to hear from you guys that are playing. This will reduce the number of "Trolls' on the forum

So in short, we have accomplished something that I did not think was ever going to be possible. On VH you can lose a game in 15 turns. It has happened to both Achilla and myself with these new files. We also now have a 90% plug and play XCAI. Only minor adjustments will ever need to be made, for your standard medieval mods.

I will need to make some new instructions, for the update.

Path finding: When I have been playing battles, I have noticed a dramatic increase in the ability for units to track and catch other units, because they are turning much sharper. Units are only getting "stuck" in cities about 10% of the time.

I saw something so neat, I have to share it with you. I was attacking a rebel stack. I had 2 armies, mine and a cpu controlled one. My army was about equal in strength to the rebels. The allied AI's army came in at a 90 degree offset to mine.

The Rebel AI originally was going to come forth and engage my army, until my AI's army came into a visual range. Then the Rebel AI retreated back to a hill, and took a defensive line posture in the shape of a "L". It effectively split it's army to engage both threats. However our units were much better, but what I played was fun and engaging. Especially for a 2:1 battle. It was so neat to see these fruits of labor working in such a way. It really makes all of it worth it, because now I know that all of you will get that same smile on your face when the AI surprises you with it's actions! I know there are some things that can be improved upon in the XBAI, and we will work on tweaking them some more.

I will be testing the new updates Friday, to make sure the levels of aggressiveness are set correctly with the new balancing. They seem a little too aggressive. I will also test to see if the use of a religion that is not in a mod, will crash the game.

Xeryx

PS.
Attention ALL modders that think they can use parts or portions of XAI code without giving credit to this teams hard work, BEWARE! This includes concepts and ideas that we have implemented. It only takes a second to send a PM, to say hey do you mind if I use this? I usually say yes 98% of the time.

[xeryx]

I am just about done.

I had to tone things down a bit. It was entirely too crazy. I will have the files for you today. I am the only one available, so if you guys want to beta this and give me some feedback later this weekend..i would really appreciate it!

[Master Zuma]

I am just about done.

brilliant news

so if you guys want to beta this and give me some feedback later this weekend

ofcourse

[xeryx]

Ok I slept in from being up so late testing. I will put the files together shortly for you guys.

[soulson]

Excellent work xeryx!

[xeryx]

Thanks Soulson! have you checked out the XAI Promo Stuff Argent made..it's pretty cool!

[Derfele]

Hey Xeryx, good talking to you today mate, and that looks just sweet as.
When life gets more healthy for the family, I shall be lining up for a go
Many thanks & appreciations to you and your team!

Cheers,
Derf

[dknight237]

if I overwrite my current KGCM files with the new additions of XcAI 4.01a

will it mess up my current campaign and make my save games incompatible?

Or will I have to start a new campaign(clear cache, delete map.rwm, etc) to see the new changes take into effect?

[xeryx]

Great talking to you to Derfele! All will be good in the world, then you will have some time to goof around.

@ DK237 Well I can tell you this, I was able to use my old save game, but I do not guarantee it will work, but I would clear your cache..just backup the original files.

[Master Zuma]

the updated ai is awesome
i'm playing as novgorod and 3 factions attacked me at ones
great work +rep