AI performance beta patch

[adherbal]

We are constantly trying to find a balance between improving AI capabilities and AI calculation speed. Update 2.3.8 appears to cause significantly slower AI calculations for some scenarios and/or players, so we have created a new patch which - hopefully - provides noticable improvements in this regard.

Because of limited testing time, consider this as a beta patch. If there are any issues, please report them here and we will address them as soon as possible.

Download beta patch 2.3.9b here:
ftp://ftp.matrixgames.com/pub/OrderOfBa ... 2.3.9b.zip

PS: this patch includes all changes from the earlier 2.3.9 hotfix.

[Shards]

Also, please note that we will be releasing an official version of the 2.3.9 patch.

When this is released it will overwrite some/all of the changes from this beta. You may then choose to reinstall this beta if you wish

Thanks

[kondi754]

Is this patch applies to the official version of the game, not for the beta?

[bru888]

Artistocrats, thanks in advance. The attempt is appreciated. I am hopeful, but I will not be devastated if it does not pan out. We'll see.

[harry_vdk]

First impression,

Looks like a improvement.

Small issue. After the progressbar is finish, the AI is not ready with all the actions.

[bru888]

Better. Much better. My infamous AI 20-minute turn 3 in 2.3.8 is only 7 minutes, 35 seconds in 2.3.9b and this is before some tweaks that were suggested by a helpful expert. I am back in the saddle again and I am also very grateful. Now, can we keep the AI on this level, please? So far, it's doing the same expected things as it did in the past, no dumber or smarter! It always seemed smart enough to me (of course, that could be a measure of how dumb I am ). Thank you very much.

[Myrddraal]

That's great to hear. Glad to hear the effort pays off

Aside from the time to complete, did you notice any changes in fps, or the general smoothness of the game?

[harry_vdk]

There are games with a AI vs AI gamemode.

Is there a (hidden) option for playing that way, a option like that make it very easy for comparing performance difference. Just tape different builds and compare the recorded sessions.

[bru888]

That's great to hear. Glad to hear the effort pays off

Aside from the time to complete, did you notice any changes in fps, or the general smoothness of the game?

Not so far, but I only played the first few turns last night. I am going to get back into the scenario in coming days. I did notice, before I ended the test, that turn 4 was going by even more quickly . . .

[Myrddraal]

There are games with a AI vs AI gamemode.

Is there a (hidden) option for playing that way, a option like that make it very easy for comparing performance difference. Just tape different builds and compare the recorded sessions.

In OOBP the high level / strategic behaviour of the AI is scripted by the scenario designer. This means that it's not very helpful to set the AI to auto-play.
We do do this in our internal testing, but generally with one passive side. Although it can be useful for regression testing purposes, this isn't very representative of actual play.

[MarechalJoffre]

Huge improvement on my part. It's back to pre-patch levels, or even better. Nice patch.

[harry_vdk]

Hi,

I have 2 taped game examples. Both are a running War Plan Orange playing as sitting duck, running until turn 6.
Build 1.3.8 && Build 1.3.9b. The taping was not perfect but I hope how the differed build performed on my pc.

[richfed]

-- Very good! The Marines expansion, btw, is quite enjoyable!

[Poddster]

I no longer see the "build foxhole" icon with my Japanese troops after this patch. It's now just a button with a little spade on it, rather than a picture of a foxhole/bunker.

[Erik2]

The icon was replaced. If you mouse hover you'll see the tool-tip.

[Horst]

Boy, the AI speed is really, really great now with 2.3.9b! Gosh, I fell asleep during the first Marines missions before, but after the latest patch it was truly a blast. Best you don't touch it again!
However, a couple of improvements could still be made like making sure that artillery and bunkers fire first. I still see the AI doing the wrong attack order sometimes to my fortunate favor.

[Rood]

Will this patch be "officially" release before the Winter War DLC?

I don't have much problems with the current live version (I did notice an improvement, for me that was mostly the loading times, with the US Marines DLC though...weird as most people seem to have a degraded performance since the latest DLC).

[Shards]

Hi,

2.4.0 (the official version of this patch) should be out this week

Thanks!

[Ichthyic]

playing the New Zealand map, and the improvement is tremendous!