Description

AI: Refactor recruitment algorithm

Page for the idea: SoC_Ideas_AI_Recruitment_2012

We need to refactor existing wesnoth's recruitment algorithm to:

support recruiting with multiple leaders.
support per-leader recruit/recall lists.
support easy limiting of recruitable units.
improve counter-recruiting strategies.
improve recruiting for AI-playable campaigns where AI has to not spend all the gold.

There are 4 submitted student proposals for this idea

Aline Riss Recruitment Proposal

For the moment, AI recognize only one leader even if he has more. Moreover, the recruitment algorithm is very basic. So we can set the list of possible amelioration below:

support recruiting with multiple leaders
support per-leader recruit/recall lists.
support easy limiting of recruitable units.
analyze map terrain better
recruit units that are more useful
improve counter-recruiting strategies.
improve recruiting for AI-playable campaigns where AI has to not spend all the gold.

In order to treat these problematic, I have highlight two points which will be my principals axes for this project and will be treat separately :

The placement of leaders
The recruitment algorithm

Each point are, at begin, independent for each other.

First, I will treat the recruitment algorithm which is the principal problem of this project. It's only in a second part that I will treat the placement problem.
See GSoC Akihara Proposal for more information.

Kseniya Buraya - Refactoring AI Recruitment

The project is to improve current AI recruiting system. I will develop and implement these options:

To recruit with a lot of leaders instead of one
To consider the terrain type where the possible battle will be
To consider enemy and allied units together as to create great counter-unit mix
To provide the scenario editor an option to choose recruiting strategy ("defensive", "agressive", etc.) and to set limits on particular units

See SoC 2012 HappyKsuh AI Recruitment for more information.

Talbot Pierre - Refactor Recruitment Algorithm

The current recruitment algorithm is based on a WML recruitment pattern which specify the recruitable units. Apart for scout, no real strategy is established because most of the units are chosen randomly from this pattern list.

I'll dedicate my summer around three axes:

Multiple leaders: We must manage a list of leaders and free keeps, to affect each leader to a keep and change it if needed (because it's too far from the battle...). AI should choose where an unit (on which castle) will be recruited to be more efficient, taking into account the number of enemy units and their weaknesses.

Recruiting better units: The units must be chosen for a specific purpose such as getting a village, fighting a specific unit, protecting another... AI should be able to keep in mind the original purpose of an unit to take further decisions. By the way, this design should be discuss with the community and the other GSoC participants because it has a large impact on the entire AI.

WML parameterisation: The recruitment pattern will be improved to allow scenario editors to be more specific on which units should be recruited.

See Soc2012 Talbot Pierre Refactor Recruitment Algorithm for more information.

Paolo De Luca - Refactoring recruitment algorithm

Refactoring recruitment algorithm as stated in the proposed ideas. I think those points are quite enough yet. However I would consider to detail what I've intended for "recruit units that are more useful" for I suppose it's highly connected with the rest of AI playstyle. Different behaviour based on

current map;
AI mission objetives: chase, retire, kill specific units;
initial Time of Day;
distance from enemy;
allies (which will repeat the above points if it's an AI);
current and future gamestyle ( aggressive/defensive) MUST include the fact that AI have to switch between them;

See Soc2012 Teugon Refactor Recruitment Algorithm for more information.

Additional Information

Whom to ask about this

Crab_ on irc.

SoC Ideas AI Recruitment 2012

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