Available on Mod Browser.
Edit: V.2 now available.
The intention of this mod is to simply expose the AI all bare naked in hopes that it will help the community identify weaknesses and help improve the game.
This is also for those who enjoy observing AI behaviour and aren't concerned with having a supreme challenge in the game.
In other words, for learning and for fun. Enjoy!
Edit:
Wanted to further clarify what this mod does and why. First, as stated in the details below, there's an issue with the normal game where the AI receives bonuses intended for the player at chieftan(2) level. This mod removes those bonuses form both the player and the AI. It goes further to remove happiness bonuses on King(5) and higher levels that the AI also receives, as well as bonus starting units and techs.
It's not clear whether the AI is supposed to have those player bonuses or if it's a bug, but it goes against my own philosophy in 2 ways: First, in this type of game, I feel that the AI should play by the same rules and have the same incentives and limitations as the player. That's not to say the AI shouldn't have bonuses, but it should not be able to ignore an entire aspect of gameplay (happiness). Secondly, I feel that the player should be rewarded for learning the rules. For one thing, increasing difficulty level shouldn't mean that the player needs to learn a whole new set of rules all of a sudden ("Why do I suddenly have less happiness?"). And secondly, if the player learns a mechanic it should not be negated simply because the opponent is the AI (such as pillaging luxuries to cripple happiness).
And finally, I'm working on a gameplay mod that builds off these changes to the Handicaps. Stay tuned for that.
Details:
Edit: V.2 now available.
The intention of this mod is to simply expose the AI all bare naked in hopes that it will help the community identify weaknesses and help improve the game.
This is also for those who enjoy observing AI behaviour and aren't concerned with having a supreme challenge in the game.
In other words, for learning and for fun. Enjoy!
Edit:
Wanted to further clarify what this mod does and why. First, as stated in the details below, there's an issue with the normal game where the AI receives bonuses intended for the player at chieftan(2) level. This mod removes those bonuses form both the player and the AI. It goes further to remove happiness bonuses on King(5) and higher levels that the AI also receives, as well as bonus starting units and techs.
It's not clear whether the AI is supposed to have those player bonuses or if it's a bug, but it goes against my own philosophy in 2 ways: First, in this type of game, I feel that the AI should play by the same rules and have the same incentives and limitations as the player. That's not to say the AI shouldn't have bonuses, but it should not be able to ignore an entire aspect of gameplay (happiness). Secondly, I feel that the player should be rewarded for learning the rules. For one thing, increasing difficulty level shouldn't mean that the player needs to learn a whole new set of rules all of a sudden ("Why do I suddenly have less happiness?"). And secondly, if the player learns a mechanic it should not be negated simply because the opponent is the AI (such as pillaging luxuries to cripple happiness).
And finally, I'm working on a gameplay mod that builds off these changes to the Handicaps. Stay tuned for that.
Details:
Spoiler :
AI no longer receives Happiness (and other) bonuses.
There's an issue with the normal game where the AI receives bonuses designed for the player on Chieftan(2) setting. This mod removes those bonuses for both the player and the AI. That means on Prince(4) both the AI and player now play by the same rules - no bonuses and no penalties.
On all levels both the AI and player receive no bonus: science, happiness, culture/policies, starting units, or starting techs. Bonus vs barbarians is set to 20% on all levels. AI has a 50% discount to upgrade costs on all levels.
On Settler(1), Chieftan(2), and Warlord(3) the AI receives penalties to: Growth, and Building (units, buildings, wonders, great people, projects).
On King(5), Emperor(6), Immortal(7), and Deity(8) the AI receives a bonus to: Growth, Building (units, buildings, wonders, great people, projects), and Maintenance.
*Please note that this mod may make winning easier on all levels.
V2:
- Gave back AI growth bonus on King(5) and higher levels.
- Gave bonus to AI building wonders, great people, and projects on King(5) and higher levels.
- Improved documentation.
There's an issue with the normal game where the AI receives bonuses designed for the player on Chieftan(2) setting. This mod removes those bonuses for both the player and the AI. That means on Prince(4) both the AI and player now play by the same rules - no bonuses and no penalties.
On all levels both the AI and player receive no bonus: science, happiness, culture/policies, starting units, or starting techs. Bonus vs barbarians is set to 20% on all levels. AI has a 50% discount to upgrade costs on all levels.
On Settler(1), Chieftan(2), and Warlord(3) the AI receives penalties to: Growth, and Building (units, buildings, wonders, great people, projects).
On King(5), Emperor(6), Immortal(7), and Deity(8) the AI receives a bonus to: Growth, Building (units, buildings, wonders, great people, projects), and Maintenance.
*Please note that this mod may make winning easier on all levels.
V2:
- Gave back AI growth bonus on King(5) and higher levels.
- Gave bonus to AI building wonders, great people, and projects on King(5) and higher levels.
- Improved documentation.