Hey guys. With the recent changes to the bot AI in Sandstorm I thought I'd make this thread as a way to keep track of any complaints and feedback we might have about them. For reference our server uses the ImprovedAI mod to adjust the bot behaviour, if you want to get super specific with any recommendations feel free to take a look at the different settings we can tweak! But if not, general feedback is also welcome
Some things I'm already aware of and planning how to fix:
Bots using close-range weapons (pistols/SMGs/shotguns) at long ranges - should be fixable with custom weapon configs
Bots being too accurate with their first shots in general, especially at long ranges - hopefully can increase the "bloat box" sizes to resolve this
Bots rushing the objectives very aggressively during counter-attacks - can partly be resolved through a bit of coordination bots won't rush through incendiaries/molotovs as much anymore, they will bunch up behind them so make sure to burn those doorways. But can also investigate reducing the bot counts or using SISSM Dynamic Bots plugin to change them per-objective if that's not enough
But yeah, any other comments or complaints please leave them below!
I've added some new weapon configs for the AI on our server. The overall feel should be less difficult but a little more "scary", by which I mean bots will suppress you more without necessarily hitting you:
Bot visibility has generally been increased so they have an easier time spotting you at long range
Overall accuracy has been reduced a lot. The idea is the bots will shoot at you more but hit less.
CQB guns (pistols/SMGs/shotguns) should be used less at long range now. They will sometimes still try it, but should be less accurate than before
Ranges for rifles/LMGs/snipers have been increased so they will shoot at you from long ranges
Snipers should be slower to hit you in close quarters but are still accurate
Reduced bot visibility in smoke to try and prevent them shooting through it unfairly
As discussed elsewhere, I'd like to go with the suggestion of switching back to stock maps to see if we can squeeze one last lease of life out of the old game before it dies.
I wonder if @peglegswansoon would be able to oblige please?
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Done. I've made a new config called "EBS Tactical Base - Stock Maps" which is identical to the previous setup but with the large mods removed. Please can the admins use that one in the web panel for now. Rest assured the old config is still there so we can switch it back on easily if we want. I've left in the Custom Scenarios as well as FpLegs and ImprovedAI because they are very lightweight. If anyone thinks we should remove them too let me know.
We've been having some issues with players getting kicked by "hung reboot". I have a theory as to why - the log files are not being tailed properly by SISSM, the names of each file are determined by the config hash. What this gibberish means for admins - I've changed the original "EBS Tactical Base" preset to be the same as the Stock Maps one. Please use that one again and not the one called Stock Maps. I have backed up the original with all the mods as a new config (EBS Tactical backup) if we want it back later.
bots won't rush through incendiaries/molotovs as much anymore, they will bunch up behind them so make sure to burn those doorways. But can also investigate reducing the bot counts or using SISSM Dynamic Bots plugin to change them per-objective if that's not enough
