💥 1941 Global Command Decision - Official Thread

TheDog

@wc_sumpton
Another rabbit out of the hat!

I thought this was not possible because of multiple capitals for a nation.

Next release will have the above in and links to 2.7.15025
https://github.com/triplea-game/triplea/releases/tag/2.7.15025

As this release gives centering focus on active player's capital at the start of their turn.

TheDog

@samurai-jd said in A more challenging AI:

Re: 1941 Global Command Decision - Official Thread

First, for a guy who has played TripleA in the earliest of days and before that all the published versions of the Axis and Allies board games since the 1980s, the GCD map and rules is a true masterpiece. Thank you.

I play solo. Can anything be done to improve the skill of the AI? I have tried both Fast and Hard modes. No matter how I favor the AI (through multiple iterations as either Axis or Allies) the AI is finished by the 7th round. In my most current effort, I start with 2700 units for the Axis and 2400 units for the Allies. Especially when the AI plays as the Allies, I can NEVER get the USA to invade Continental Europe no matter how favorable I set the situation.

I appreciate your time and the incredible game that you have so elegantly created.

Samurai JD

Thanks for your 1st post, thanks for the kind words.

Can anything be done to improve the skill of the AI?

Probably not without some serious engine tweaks or a new AI. Currently the two AIs are weakest at sea.
1941 GCD was probably the first map designed to be played solo v the AI, Im still looking for ways to improve AI play.

I start with 2700 units for the Axis and 2400 units for the Allies.

Does this work? As this means the AI will buy very little as each unit cost 1pu for upkeep/maintenance.

From play test, I know that if you swamp the Atlantic with uBoats both AIs will back off and not try to cross/invade Europe, even though the USA usually has the spare PU to out manufacture Germany.

the AI is finished by the 7th round

Please elaborate on this, for all factions?

beelee

@thedog yea years ago Zim Xero made a solo map for the Pacific. It had quite a few cool things. You might want to check it out if you haven't already. He may have some ideas you haven't considered yet.

"Pacific Theatre" I think it is

TheDog

@beelee
Thanks, I have never played or looked at it.

beelee

@thedog

I did years ago and enjoyed it. He was quite innovative with what triplea could do back then.

TheDog

@beelee
I have played 2 games and got battered, he sets a high bar, next game will be on Easy mode.

Uploaded 11 years ago, 2014-ish, so yes very good for its time, it does have some interesting ideas/concepts.

In the downloads its called Pacific Challenge

To quote Zim Xero
Updated single-player variant of the WW2 Pacific conflict using a modded map created by Triple_Elk, iron__cross, and ComradeKev. This map features AI interactivity, diverging timelines, a unique technology system, nontraditional unit statistics, resources, a 'quick-to-learn hard-to-master' play style, and built-in difficulty selection. Designed for challenging human play as Japan versus the AI.

beelee

@thedog

heh heh yea I remember it had a lot of cool stuff

Might want to add it to your list of triplea games

TheDog

Latest version v230 ready for download.

In TripleA
Click Download Maps Button
Click Installed tab
Click 1941 Global Command Decision
Click Remove Button
Click Yes button to remove
Click Ok button (Successfully removed)
Click Close (To force the map list to refresh)
Click Download Maps Button
Find & Click 1941 Global Command Decision
Click Install button (be aware, displayed percentage download is NOT working as intended, have a coffee, it takes minutes to download)
Enjoy!

.
v230

New capital marker in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean hopefully improves AI USA invasion of Europe (Thanks @samurai-jd )
USA AI ship production now dependant on Industries
Britain AI ship production now dependant on Industries
If Persian Corridor, Baku, Fars, Hamadan, Tehran, Gilan is broken all the Lend-Lease-Depots are removed
If Burma Road, N.Burma, Yunnan is broken all the Lend-Lease-Depots are removed

.
Current v225 documentation, land & sea AA stats and last page has winter turn on instructions.
1941_Global_Command_Decision_Manual.pdf

Suggested stable TripleA version
https://github.com/triplea-game/triplea/releases/tag/2.7.15025
.
Link to 1st post that has;
Downloads for new Players
https://forums.triplea-game.org/topic/3326/1941-global-command-decision-official-thread

Samurai JD

Thank you for the replies.

I will download and install the new version of 1941 GCD and test straight away.

I recognize that the AI struggles as units (and additional variables of complexity, such as additional PUs) are increased (in my case, exponentially). However, without USA intervention, the Axis conquers Western and Eastern Europe too easily--even on this elegantly detailed map.

I am no software developer, so I may be naive regarding how the AI may be tweaked to be more aggressive. Personally, I would much prefer to play against an AI whose motto is, "it is a good day to die", over "defend the homeland".

Thank you for listening.

Samurai JD

Samurai JD

Allies, especially UK, better at attacking Western Europe in the most recent GCD iteration.

As one who grew up playing all the WWII board game variations, attacks by the USA on South America made sense only when playing for a PU-driven game--especially if game time was limited.

I respectfully suggest that in this great game of GCD, the USA is wasting time attacking South America in the early rounds and is making the Axis powers (Germany) de facto winners. Can the game be tuned for the USA to ignore South America all together?

Thank you.

Samuria JD

TheDog

@samurai-jd

Can the game be tuned for the USA to ignore South America all together?
No, as the AI is general purpose, and us mapmakers don't have that much control over it.

The Fast-AI motto could be "it is a good day to die", as the Hard-AI attempts to look ahead and evaluate what could happen next.

What you could do is change when say Brazil declares for the USA.
Change line 6582

and line 6601 to
<option name="rounds" value="1"/>

This would make Brazil and other TT, USA owned and the US would not send invasion forces just defence forces.

Bare in mind the US does not get its HQs till round 4, so it is at a big disadvantage till they can be front lined.

Samurai JD

Roger all that.

I have not seen substantive changes in AI play whether the Fast AI or the Hard AI is employed.

On another consideration, I understand that the game can and should be able to morph from the reality of WWII. However, the AI devotes too many USSR resources to defending their eastern flank against Japan at the expense of counterattacking against the Nazis. I have gone so far as to remove factories from east of the Urals and creating a near impassable neutral zone with limited success .

Still Russia defends their eastern borders as the Nazis close on Moscow.

May I suggest that Lend/Lease be active immediately for the USA to provide military resources to the USSR. It would also give the USA something to do besides occupying the eastern Pacific.

Finally, I have made changes to first round of the game to help entice the AI to attack Western Europe and Northwestern Africa.. Naturally I have changed relationships so all major combatants can attack the neutrals.

These thoughts and suggestions are offered humbly and are in no way critical of your game. I have waited a long time for something as elegant and sophisticated as GCD.

Samurai JD.