Brad: Please Set the Record Straight Regarding AI Sensor Ranges

from Stardock Forums
Either the AI sensor ranges are bugged such that they can see two sectors into space, or this is an undocumented cheat for the AI. I have played numerous games on various settings and I have never seen the AI try to scout for enemy ships, nor have they ever needed to. In every single encounter, the AI ships will simply will head straight towards their target as if they were clairvoyant. What is going on?
405 views 4 replies
Reply #1 from Stardock Forums Top
I wouldn't be surprised if they had no fog of war. They already know where all the yellow stars of the galaxy are. Still a great game tho

~SDC~
Reply #2 from Stardock Forums Top
The AI knows where the yellow stars are becuase they have had space travel for thousands of years. They are supposed to know. As far as knowing where your ships are. their sensors operate under the rules that yours do. They may have had the eyes of the universe wonder. (Sensor drones can see ~3 sectors with this wonder) Also it is possible and probably likely that the AI have algorithms for trying to figure the most probable placement of enemy ships based on star/resource data.
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Reply #3 from Stardock Forums Top
I have the only Eye of the Universe in my current game. My sensor drones can see 18 squares into space. I have deployed a dozen of them around the Yor Collective's border and every single one of them is being chased by a 3 sensor range Fighter/Corvette/Frigate that knows exactly where my sensor drones are. The path finding algorithms make this very clear. Auto-piloting ships will always move diagnoally before they move horizontally or vertically, and I am absolutely certain the Yor ships are either bugged or cheating. I have been maneuvering my drones for the last 20 turns and every single move is followed by the AI setting a new course to intercept my drones at their new location. The AI sensor ranges are screwed up.
Reply #4 from Stardock Forums Top
Brad has stated that the sensor rules are the same for human and AI. Actually a large portion of the computing goes into calculating whether or not the AI can actually see your ships. This means no cheating. That leaves three options.

1. somehow the AI can see you. (possibly caused by the wonder bug allowing them to build an eyes of the universe also)

2. Brad is a lying bastard. (lets hope not) :)

3. It is a bug.