[buddye]

I agree with nearmiss but ....

Why is it so difficult to make AI planes that follow the same rules of physics and gunnery that human-controlled planes do in flight sims?

I also am very interested in AI. As a volunteer BDG (BOB Development Group) member, I have worked on the BOBII AI over 6 years trying to improve it and make it more human like.

In BOBII the AI and the player use the same FM and code so they are equal with only two exceptions (1) the AI do not black out or white out and (2) the AI can see through clouds (the AI do have blind spots as they can not see through the solid A/C parts [wings, rear, nose, etc] or see into the sun). Customers do sometimes complain that the AI can pull more G's and does not black out but in my opinion the advantage is small against a human pilot.

In BobII the AI can stall, spin, crash, and do stupid things. The AI ability to fly effectively is controlled with "skill level" which the player can select in Instant Action Missions and skill level is assign or user controlled in the Dyamic Campaign. The higher skill level AI are more effective in Air Combat as they have the ability to fly more maneuvers and they fly each maneuver more effectively and efficiently.

Why are the AI not more human like?

In one word the answer is "cost". The AI can not just be designed and implemented. It must be tested, re-worked, and re-tested over and over. The quality of the testers giving feedback must be exceptional and the amount of time and manpower is very large and it can never end as you are never done. The AI is not just designing to a spec. The AI is more of an art. It is cheaper to put you game money into things that can be designed, scheduled, and implemented (Multi-Player, Landscape, cockpits, and more eye candy). Also eye candy sells well but customers seem to always complain about the AI.