Super AI

[leadgtr81]

Luthier & Co,

First, thanks for all the hard work in getting this sim to the level it's currently at, and continuing to press on. It's nice being able to cruise around on my humble system and enjoy what the team has done thus far. However, there seem to be some outstanding issues that need addressed. For offliners like myself, it's the AI that presents an issue.

Before the latest patch, it was AI aircraft that were able to perform to the fullest with dropped landing gear, missing control surfaces, fires, large holes, leaking fluids, etc. I know I'm not the only one who's frustrated by this, especially when that heavily damaged AI is able to outmaneuver the player's undamaged and well-managed aircraft at nearly every turn. There's also the unfair boost that the AI seemed to possess. Even bombers were able to outrun & outfly a nimble fighter.

It seems that with the latest patch, the AI opponents have become increasingly superhuman while exhibiting the previous issues. Roll rates on the AI aircraft are insane. It's what I'd expect from a more modern fighter jet, but not from a WWII era prop aircraft - especially since it's seemingly impossible for the player to perform the same maneuvers without serious consequences. Other things I've noted from the AI as of the recent patch:

Problem Notes:

-Consistently climbs and/or performs multiple rolls without energy loss.
-Not subjected to blackouts.
-No evidence of overheating.
-Incredible roll rate at exceedingly high dive speeds.
-Sometimes completely unresponsive even to a long burst of gunfire into direct 6.
-Able to maneuver with dropped gear, missing surfaces, large holes, etc. as though they were undamaged. (Perhaps a case of damage model effects visibly showing, but not working in practice?)
-While aircraft fires work as advertised and damages the aircraft, the AI seems to not notice even large fires and will fight on.
-Same with billowing smoke.
-Fluids seem finite, as I've watched leaking fluids "run out". But AI aircraft are seemingly unaffected in this patch. (Watched AI engines seize up several times in earlier versions)
-Cr.42 continued to fly on after losing entire top wing surface (Old screenshot, likely first beta patch. Have not since been able to reproduce the same damage. All settings on sans CEM & had enabled icons at that time.)

Positive Notes:

-During a QMB engagement (current patch) with a Cr.42, my incendiary rounds managed to light his lower wing on fire. The pilot bailed after leveling out his aircraft.
-Same engagement, witnessed a Cr.42 maneuver too hard and stall. Spiraled 90 degrees nose-down into the channel.

--

That's just what I can think of directly off the top of my head. I'm sure that others will continue the list, as will I as more things come to mind.

While I know your plates are full as it is, I hope you're working on the AI issues so that the offliners are able to fully enjoy the sim as well.

Thanks for reading.