Tactical AI - Revision history

Hobbes at 03:06, 23 July 2013

2013-07-23T03:06:10Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 03:06, 23 July 2013
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	==Route Nodes==		==Route Nodes==

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	[[Alien movement patterns]]		[[Alien movement patterns]]

			[[Category:Enemy Unknown/UFO Defense]]

Hobbes: /* Unknown functions - Bytes 21&22 */

2012-03-19T00:20:02Z

Unknown functions - Bytes 21&22

← Older revision		Revision as of 00:20, 19 March 2012
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	==Unknown functions - Bytes 21&22==		==Unknown functions - Bytes 21&22==

	There are 2 bytes for each route node whose function has not been completely identified. Byte ~~22 is hardly used at all and~~		There are 2 bytes for each route node whose function has not been completely identified.

			===Byte 21===
	byte 21 is called 'Flag' byte on Daishiva's Map View and looks used by the AI to give some sort of importance to each node.		byte 21 is called 'Flag' byte on Daishiva's Map View and looks used by the AI to give some sort of importance to each node.

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	[[File:Ufo_130_2_flag.gif]]		[[File:Ufo_130_2_flag.gif]]

	Now, if these refer to ~~Fire or~~ Patrol ~~points or both~~ is ~~undetermined~~. However, Laser Squad (the predecessor of Enemy Unknown) ~~used prefixed~~ maps with predetermined regions (each with ~~different~~ threat levels) and the presence enemy units would provoke an AI response. In a similar way, Apocalypse's AI determined specific map regions to guard and others to patrol. Thus it should make sense that the game uses the values above to determine some of the alien actions, although ~~all~~ of ~~these~~ is ~~speculation based~~ on ~~possibly biased observations~~.		Now, if these refer to Patrol Points is unconfirmed. However, a strong argument is that both Laser Squad (the predecessor of Enemy Unknown) and Apocalypse AI's use maps with predetermined regions (each rated with in a scale threat levels) and the presence of enemy (X-COM) units would provoke an AI response. In a similar way, Apocalypse's AI determined specific map regions to guard and others to patrol. Thus it should make sense that the game uses the values above to determine some of the alien actions, by giving some sort of importance to those nodes.

			===Byte 22===

			This byte is even a bigger mystery, although if the previous byte refers to a Patrol Point, then there might be some indications that it should indicate some sort of 'target' for the aliens to fire/destroy, namely from the terrains where it is present.
			* X-COM Base (EU) - XBASE02,03,04,05,06,09,10,11,12,13,14,15 (on the 2nd level, all with a 5 value)
			* Skyranger - 3 notes by the nose and the engines (10 value on all)
			* X-COM Base (TFTD) - the same pattern as Enemy Unknown.

			More evidence is required to confirm it, namely reports of aliens destroying or firing at those nodes.

	==Other Interesting Information==		==Other Interesting Information==

Hobbes at 18:35, 18 March 2012

2012-03-18T18:35:56Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:35, 18 March 2012
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	==Route Nodes==		==Route Nodes==

Hobbes at 18:34, 18 March 2012

2012-03-18T18:34:11Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:34, 18 March 2012
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			==Route Nodes==

			Each individual [[MAPS\| map]] (10x10 or 20x20) comes with a [[ROUTES\|.RMP]] file that defines the location and type of route nodes for that specific map. When a tactical mission is started the game engine combines the individual maps into a single one (50x50, 60x60 or bigger for TFTD) and also generates a file called [[ROUTES.DAT]] that contains all the nodes for that battlefield.
			The Tactical AI will then use the following information on each node for the following:
			* To place ([[Spawn Points\|spawn]]) XCOM/Alien/Civilian units when game starts, with settings to determine the type and rank of units that can (or not) be spawned on that node.
			* To move Aliens/Civilians across the battlefield - each node is linked to others on its vicinity and they create movement routes.
			* To determine the importance/priority of each node for the aliens when determining where to move (check 'Bytes 21&22' section below.

	==AI Modes==		==AI Modes==
	~~The~~ game's AI ~~consists of~~ four modes		When the alien turn is in progress the game's AI assigns to each alien one mode that will determine its actions during the turn. The four modes are:
	*Patrol - the alien will travel between the battlefield nodes ~~defined on the ROUTES.DAT file~~.		*Patrol - the alien will travel between the battlefield using the links between nodes to locate human units.
	*Sniper - the alien will not move and will make a 360º turn to look for possible hostiles.		*Sniper - the alien will not move and will make a 360º turn to look for possible hostiles.
	If the alien detects an enemy unit (X-COM or civilian) the AI will assess the situation, based on the alien's aggressiveness ~~stats~~ and will trigger its intelligence stat (it will remember the position of the unit for X turns, X being its intelligence value). The AI will then switch the alien's mode to one of the following.		In both modes, if the alien detects an enemy unit (X-COM or civilian) the AI will assess the situation, based on the alien's aggressiveness [[Alien Stats\|stat]] and will trigger its intelligence stat (it will remember the position of the unit for X turns, X being its intelligence value). The AI will then switch the alien's mode to one of the following.
	*Combat - the alien will attack the human unit and/or try to find cover.		*Combat - the alien will attack the human unit and/or try to find cover.
	*Escape - the alien will flee the human unit, usually when it is unarmed or it is a higher rank (Leader, Commander, etc.) alien.		*Escape - the alien will flee the human unit, usually when it is unarmed or it is a higher rank (Leader, Commander, etc.) alien.
Line 23:		Line 31:
	* Find Fire Point (???)		* Find Fire Point (???)

	Most of the actions are self-explanatory, but there's no clear explanation of how the AI considers 'Patrol' and 'Fire' points, although an hypothesis can be made from certain clues found on the ROUTES.DAT file.		Most of the actions are self-explanatory, but there's no clear explanation of how the AI considers 'Patrol' and 'Fire' points, although an hypothesis can be made from certain clues found on the ROUTES.DAT file regarding bytes 21&22 of each node.

	==~~Route Nodes~~==		==Unknown functions - Bytes 21&22==

	As mentioned before, the AI uses patrol routes for each individual map which define the route nodes and the links between them. The record for each node also contains indications on if an unit can spawn there, its type/rank but there are 2 bytes on each node ~~record are unexplained so far~~. Daishiva's ~~map view calls~~ the ~~first record the 'flags' byte and from several observations aliens tend~~ to ~~be attracted~~ to ~~move/stay on those locations~~.		There are 2 bytes for each route node whose function has not been completely identified. Byte 22 is hardly used at all and
			byte 21 is called 'Flag' byte on Daishiva's Map View and looks used by the AI to give some sort of importance to each node.

	[[File:Ufo_160_0_flags.gif]]		[[File:Ufo_160_0_flags.gif]]
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	[[File:Ufo_130_2_flag.gif]]		[[File:Ufo_130_2_flag.gif]]

	Now, ~~what ever all of those those~~ refer to Fire or Patrol points or both is undetermined. However, Laser Squad (the predecessor of Enemy Unknown) used prefixed maps with predetermined regions (each with different threat levels) and the presence enemy units would provoke an AI response. Thus it should make sense that the game uses the values above to determine some of the alien actions, although all of these is speculation based on possibly biased observations.		Now, if these refer to Fire or Patrol points or both is undetermined. However, Laser Squad (the predecessor of Enemy Unknown) used prefixed maps with predetermined regions (each with different threat levels) and the presence enemy units would provoke an AI response. In a similar way, Apocalypse's AI determined specific map regions to guard and others to patrol. Thus it should make sense that the game uses the values above to determine some of the alien actions, although all of these is speculation based on possibly biased observations.

	==Other Interesting ~~Bits~~==		==Other Interesting Information==

	* After round 20 the location of all X-COM units becomes known to all the aliens and they automatically switch to Combat mode.		* After round 20 the location of all X-COM units becomes known to all the aliens and they automatically switch to Combat mode.

Hobbes: /* See Also */

2012-03-16T19:17:43Z

Hobbes: more stuff

2012-03-16T19:17:08Z

more stuff

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:17, 16 March 2012
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	If the alien detects an enemy unit (X-COM or civilian) the AI will assess the situation, based on the alien's aggressiveness stats and will trigger its intelligence stat (it will remember the position of the unit for X turns, X being its intelligence value). The AI will then switch the alien's mode to one of the following.		If the alien detects an enemy unit (X-COM or civilian) the AI will assess the situation, based on the alien's aggressiveness stats and will trigger its intelligence stat (it will remember the position of the unit for X turns, X being its intelligence value). The AI will then switch the alien's mode to one of the following.
	*Combat - the alien will attack the human unit and/or try to find cover.		*Combat - the alien will attack the human unit and/or try to find cover.
	*Escape - the alien will flee the human unit, usually when it is ~~unharmed~~ or it is a higher ~~ranked~~ (Leader, Commander, etc.) alien.		*Escape - the alien will flee the human unit, usually when it is unarmed or it is a higher rank (Leader, Commander, etc.) alien.

	===AI Actions===		==AI Actions==
	The AI will then order each unit to perform actions:		The AI will then order each unit to perform actions:
	* Evaluating Mode		* Evaluating Mode
Line 25:		Line 25:
	Most of the actions are self-explanatory, but there's no clear explanation of how the AI considers 'Patrol' and 'Fire' points, although an hypothesis can be made from certain clues found on the ROUTES.DAT file.		Most of the actions are self-explanatory, but there's no clear explanation of how the AI considers 'Patrol' and 'Fire' points, although an hypothesis can be made from certain clues found on the ROUTES.DAT file.

	===Route Nodes===		==Route Nodes==

	As mentioned before, the AI uses patrol routes for each individual map which define the route nodes and the links between them. The record for each node also contains indications on if an unit can spawn there, its type/rank but there are 2 bytes on each node record are unexplained so far. Daishiva's map view calls the first record the 'flags' byte and from several observations aliens tend to be attracted to move/stay on those locations.		As mentioned before, the AI uses patrol routes for each individual map which define the route nodes and the links between them. The record for each node also contains indications on if an unit can spawn there, its type/rank but there are 2 bytes on each node record are unexplained so far. Daishiva's map view calls the first record the 'flags' byte and from several observations aliens tend to be attracted to move/stay on those locations.
Line 55:		Line 55:

	Now, what ever all of those those refer to Fire or Patrol points or both is undetermined. However, Laser Squad (the predecessor of Enemy Unknown) used prefixed maps with predetermined regions (each with different threat levels) and the presence enemy units would provoke an AI response. Thus it should make sense that the game uses the values above to determine some of the alien actions, although all of these is speculation based on possibly biased observations.		Now, what ever all of those those refer to Fire or Patrol points or both is undetermined. However, Laser Squad (the predecessor of Enemy Unknown) used prefixed maps with predetermined regions (each with different threat levels) and the presence enemy units would provoke an AI response. Thus it should make sense that the game uses the values above to determine some of the alien actions, although all of these is speculation based on possibly biased observations.

			==Other Interesting Bits==

			* After round 20 the location of all X-COM units becomes known to all the aliens and they automatically switch to Combat mode.
			* "We made sure that there was an element of unpredictability in the AI which often made it seem more intelligent than it actually was." - Julian Gollop. The quote comes from this [http://www.edge-online.com/features/making-x-com-enemy-unknown interview].

	==See Also==		==See Also==

Hobbes at 05:55, 16 March 2012

2012-03-16T05:55:54Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 05:55, 16 March 2012
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	*Patrol - the alien will travel between the battlefield nodes defined on the ROUTES.DAT file.		*Patrol - the alien will travel between the battlefield nodes defined on the ROUTES.DAT file.
	*Sniper - the alien will not move and will make a 360º turn to look for possible hostiles.		*Sniper - the alien will not move and will make a 360º turn to look for possible hostiles.
	*Guard (unconfirmed)
	If the alien detects an enemy unit (X-COM or civilian) the AI will assess the situation, based on the alien's aggressiveness stats and will trigger its intelligence stat (it will remember the position of the unit for X turns, X being its intelligence value). The AI will then switch the alien's mode to one of the following.		If the alien detects an enemy unit (X-COM or civilian) the AI will assess the situation, based on the alien's aggressiveness stats and will trigger its intelligence stat (it will remember the position of the unit for X turns, X being its intelligence value). The AI will then switch the alien's mode to one of the following.
	*Combat - the alien will attack the human unit and/or try to find cover.		*Combat - the alien will attack the human unit and/or try to find cover.
Line 12:		Line 11:
	* Evaluating Mode		* Evaluating Mode
	* GoUfo		* GoUfo
			* Guard
	* Finding Route		* Finding Route
	* Moving		* Moving
Line 20:		Line 20:
	* Partial Cover		* Partial Cover
	* Final Facing		* Final Facing
	* Set Patrol Point ~~- ??~~???		* Set Patrol Point (???)
	* Find Fire Point ~~- ??~~???		* Find Fire Point (???)

	Most of the actions are self-explanatory, but there's no clear explanation of how the AI considers 'Patrol' and 'Fire' points, although an hypothesis can be made from certain clues found on the ROUTES.DAT file.		Most of the actions are self-explanatory, but there's no clear explanation of how the AI considers 'Patrol' and 'Fire' points, although an hypothesis can be made from certain clues found on the ROUTES.DAT file.

	===Route Nodes===		===Route Nodes===

	As mentioned before, the AI uses patrol routes for each individual map which define the route nodes and the links between them. The record for each node also contains indications on if an unit can spawn there, its type/rank but there are 2 bytes on each node record are unexplained so far. Daishiva's map view calls the first record the 'flags' byte and from several observations aliens tend to be attracted to move/stay on those locations.		As mentioned before, the AI uses patrol routes for each individual map which define the route nodes and the links between them. The record for each node also contains indications on if an unit can spawn there, its type/rank but there are 2 bytes on each node record are unexplained so far. Daishiva's map view calls the first record the 'flags' byte and from several observations aliens tend to be attracted to move/stay on those locations.

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	[[File:Ufo_170_2_flag.gif]]		[[File:Ufo_170_2_flag.gif]]

	The ground and first level almost contains nodes with a 1 value, with a single exception - the 3 and 2 of the engine room. This should explain the aliens' behaviour of only using 1 of the UFO's 2 doors - when an alien moves into the node outside the door, it chooses instead to go to the node with the 3 value, and then to the 2 value, diverting the aliens from the 2nd outside door.		The ground and first level almost contains nodes with a 1 value, with a single exception - the 3 and 2 of the engine room.

	[[File:Ufo_140_0_flag.gif]]		[[File:Ufo_140_0_flag.gif]]
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	[[File:Ufo_130_1_flag.gif]]		[[File:Ufo_130_1_flag.gif]]
	[[File:Ufo_130_2_flag.gif]]		[[File:Ufo_130_2_flag.gif]]

			Now, what ever all of those those refer to Fire or Patrol points or both is undetermined. However, Laser Squad (the predecessor of Enemy Unknown) used prefixed maps with predetermined regions (each with different threat levels) and the presence enemy units would provoke an AI response. Thus it should make sense that the game uses the values above to determine some of the alien actions, although all of these is speculation based on possibly biased observations.

			==See Also==
			[[ROUTES.DAT]] - the file that contains all route nodes on a saved tactical game.
			[[UNITREF.DAT]] - Specially the discussion on the Talk page of Offset 0x4A.
			[[Alien Inventory Use]] - what the AI does and does not use.
			[[Alien movement patterns]]

Hobbes: first draft

2012-03-15T23:29:02Z

first draft

New page

==AI Modes==
The game's AI consists of four modes
*Patrol - the alien will travel between the battlefield nodes defined on the ROUTES.DAT file.
*Sniper - the alien will not move and will make a 360º turn to look for possible hostiles.
*Guard (unconfirmed)
If the alien detects an enemy unit (X-COM or civilian) the AI will assess the situation, based on the alien's aggressiveness stats and will trigger its intelligence stat (it will remember the position of the unit for X turns, X being its intelligence value). The AI will then switch the alien's mode to one of the following.
*Combat - the alien will attack the human unit and/or try to find cover.
*Escape - the alien will flee the human unit, usually when it is unharmed or it is a higher ranked (Leader, Commander, etc.) alien.

===AI Actions===
The AI will then order each unit to perform actions:
* Evaluating Mode
* GoUfo
* Finding Route
* Moving
* Firing
* Attack Attempt
* Select Target
* Find Cover
* Partial Cover
* Final Facing
* Set Patrol Point - ?????
* Find Fire Point - ?????

Most of the actions are self-explanatory, but there's no clear explanation of how the AI considers 'Patrol' and 'Fire' points, although an hypothesis can be made from certain clues found on the ROUTES.DAT file.

===Route Nodes===
As mentioned before, the AI uses patrol routes for each individual map which define the route nodes and the links between them. The record for each node also contains indications on if an unit can spawn there, its type/rank but there are 2 bytes on each node record are unexplained so far. Daishiva's map view calls the first record the 'flags' byte and from several observations aliens tend to be attracted to move/stay on those locations.

[[File:Ufo_160_0_flags.gif]]
[[File:Ufo_160_1_flags.gif]]
[[File:Ufo_160_2_flags.gif]]

According to this theory the aliens will choose a node with the higher value 'flag' when their AI is set for patroling/guarding, unless it is already occupied. The Battleship schematics above show some proof of this, specially on the bridge area (the aliens that start on the bridge room usually never come out except to have a look outside the door). Now look at the plants for the Supply Ship:

[[File:Ufo_170_0_flag.gif]]
[[File:Ufo_170_1_flag.gif]]
[[File:Ufo_170_2_flag.gif]]

The ground and first level almost contains nodes with a 1 value, with a single exception - the 3 and 2 of the engine room. This should explain the aliens' behaviour of only using 1 of the UFO's 2 doors - when an alien moves into the node outside the door, it chooses instead to go to the node with the 3 value, and then to the 2 value, diverting the aliens from the 2nd outside door.

[[File:Ufo_140_0_flag.gif]]
[[File:Ufo_140_1_flag.gif]]

Next one is the Abductor. Usually the aliens don't come out much and you find a large number of them on the main chamber on the ground, due to the concentration of 3/4s that acts as a bottleneck.

[[File:Ufo_120_0_flag.gif]]
[[File:Ufo_150_0_flag.gif]]
[[File:Ufo_150_1_flag.gif]]

[[File:Ufo_130_0_flag.gif]]
[[File:Ufo_130_1_flag.gif]]
[[File:Ufo_130_2_flag.gif]]