The evaluation of AI flight behavior in X4: Foundations version 7.5 reveals significant issues, particularly in high-attention combat scenarios. The AI's navigation now involves scripted behaviors that often lead to inefficiencies and increased ship mortality rates. Capital ships, especially destroyers, show marked declines in combat effectiveness due to excessive repositioning and idling. Recommendations include reducing these scripted inactivity periods to enhance combat readiness. Overall, the patch appears to have inadvertently downgraded AI performance, prompting a call for player feedback in the public beta to address these deficiencies.
AI bends flight model rules, enabling teleportation and instant acceleration.
AI ships navigate under a 'Hand of God' that overrides flight models.
AI behavior leads destroyers to idle, reducing combat efficiency.
AI-controlled fleets demonstrate decreased survival rates in ship-to-ship combat.
Recommendation to reduce AI inactivity during combat to improve performance.
The AI's scripted behaviors indicate a fundamental misunderstanding of flight dynamics in virtual combat scenarios. When AI units are overly scripted, it hinders their ability to adapt, especially in high-stakes environments where real-time decision-making is crucial. The data reflects a concerning trend where the AI cannot effectively respond to the fluidity of combat, resulting in disengagements rather than proactive maneuvers. Effective AI in gaming should balance predictability with adaptability, akin to successful human pilots who can make split-second decisions to adjust their tactics.
The current AI model lacks the necessary feedback loops to evaluate performance effectively. A shift towards integrating machine learning techniques could allow the AI to learn from each engagement. By analyzing previous combat scenarios to improve its performance dynamically, the AI could better handle the unpredictability of player actions and opponent strategies. This approach could involve algorithms that correct inefficient movements and optimize engagement tactics in real time, providing a more competitive and engaging gameplay experience.
In version 7.5, AI struggles with navigating efficiently, often leading to off-course maneuvers.
This has notably decreased for capital ships in the latest version due to excessive repositioning scripts.
This behavior has led to idle time where ships fail to engage, impacting overall combat outcomes.