Max Godsnottlingson
Amarr
Freelancing Corp
Confederation of Independent Corporations
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Posted - 2007.06.10 12:00:00 -
[1]
Let's be honest. NPC's are both thick, and have to use cheats to give them half a chance (Both in missions and when ratting at belts). Basically all ratting is, is about making sure that your tankage is better then their DPS and your DPS is bigger then their tankage.
Yes, I know this is mainly to do with helping with server loading and all. But isn't it time CCP did away with masses of stupid BS NPC that gank the first player ship they see, even if it's a small frigate with a good speed tank that they don't have a hope in hells chance of hitting, while the 'Speed Tankers' mate warp in in BS to destroy them all.
But wouldn't it be much better as a gaming experience if CCP went for a quality approach rather then quantity.
Say go for an approach where there's a lot fewer spawns, or NPC's in a mission, but have them much more able. Have a two or three NPC Battleships ignor the Speed tanker, or even spit out drones at it, and concentrate on fighting the Player BS. Yes, the bounties would need to be increased to keep things on a par as to what they are now. But it would be nice to see NPC's moving a bit closer to using player like abilities and skills
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Max Godsnottlingson
Amarr
Freelancing Corp
Confederation of Independent Corporations
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Posted - 2007.06.10 13:51:00 -
[2]
Oh, I agree with you whole heartedly. I know enough about computers to know that AI is years away from being able to even match simple human inteligence.
But I'm sure lots can still be done. Take the example I used of the speed tanker. I'm sure it wouldn't be too difficult to put in a routine where the part of Eve that controls that spawn simply does a check 'to hit percentage' and simply switches to the target that it has the best chance of hitting so would switch to the BS when they warp in. Another step further it might monitor damage output from damage taken for the BS it's shooting at, and have the possibility to switch to another target that is doing more damage, just to make it awkward for any BS that is set up as a pure tank.
I'll be long in my grave before anything comes close to being able to match HI, but a few simple routines could certainly add a lot more 'spark' to NPC's and even a bit of unpredicability to them too.
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