Released: June 07, 200
AI Patch: Siege AI  
Current Build: v1.00
Credit: Credit.txt

Descripton:  Enhanced Strategic Skirmish AI.
Story:  In an attempt to better train their soldiers and surpass the outdated -McnTerra- AI Simulations, both ARM and CORE researchers created new and improved simulated training units, also known as SIMs or AIs.  These training programs were meant to advance their soldiers quickly to increase the chances of the utter annihilation of their enemies.

The original codes for these military AIs were concealed by each side, heavily encrypted and compressed through use of an advanced and, rumored, irreversible -HPI- scheme; unfortunately, a small group of rebels sickened by the ever aging war between the two military powers ARM and CORE cracked -HPI-... They threatened to release the original sources to the new AIs if Arm and Core did not decide to meet, and finally negotiate a treatise to end the age old war...  Negotiations failed, and the rebels mysteriously vanished from the picture.

Soon afterwards, a hybrid between the Arm and Core AIs began ciruclating through numerous sectors.  At first, Arm and Core High Commanders disliked the idea of their military AI sources interacting, but as they slowly realized their soldiers performance in battle improved, the new hybrid AI was accepted.  Among all who decided to simulate a skirmish with the AI hybrid agreed on its code name: "Equaliser" or "Equal" for short.  After some time after it began circulating thorugh many sectors, the AI began to be referred to by the official name of "Siege," particularly because how it operates during simulations against it.

Install:  To install this AI, simply extract as follows:
Assumming you installed TA to C:\Cavedog\Totala, please make sure all of these essential files are properly installed to this directory. 

-C:\Cavedog\Totala\Siege.ufo  
-C:\Cavedog\Totala\gamedata\Sidedata.tdf
-C:\Cavedog\Totala\ai\Default.txt
-C:\Cavedog\Totala\ai\SeaBattle.txt
-C:\Cavedog\Totala\ai\AirBattle.txt
-C:\Cavedog\Totala\ai\Missions.txt

If all of these files are properly installed, you should notice the AI's units have a prefix of "A. I." (given to them by the Siege patch).

NOTE:  Sidedata.tdf is required for TA to work with Siege.  It contians data files the AI needs.  If you are using WinZip 7 or greater, you should be able to tell it to extract all files to your TA directory, in which case WinZip should automatically create any extra directories needed; however, if it doesn't automatically create the directories you will have to make new directories yourself.

Unistall:  To easily uninstall Siege, simply remove or rename the Sidedata.tdf file.  This will cause Siege to not operate.  If you want to totally eliminate Siege, simply delate the above listed files from your TA directory.


*CAPTURING, AI PROFILING, AND COMBAT*
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

When playing against Siege, please note that most of its units are desgined only for the AI.  If you plan on capturing any AI specific units, direct your captures towards defense, mobile attack, or resource units.   Buildings and constructs belonging to Siege can not be captured and used, as intended by the original Arm and Core profilers.

If you have any 3rd party AIs you think would benefit from the use of Siege units, converting them is a pretty easy task.  Open up your favorite AI Editing tool, and go through the default Cavedog units.  You should replace "ARM" prefixxes with "AEA" (Arm Siege Prefix) and "COR" prefix with "AEC" (Core Siege prefix).  Right now, Siege only uses default Cavedog AIs (which still need to be improved upon with enhanced units, I might add). Look for an update of the default AIs in the future, and hopefully more 3rd Party AIs compatible with this patch.

Finally, I note in owning Siege.  Expect to be attacked within 5 minutes (more or much less depending on the map size.  Larger maps may take longer).  Expect to see advanced units anytime after the first attack.  It is recommended you have plants constant building units to hold the units attack force off, especially planes.  The Siege AI patch will mass many fighters, bombers, and Gunships as part of its "strategy".  In dealing with Siege's jets, it is recommended you mass standing and mobile anti-air units for 100% effectiveness.  Be forewarned, the Siege AI is quite aggressive than previous AIs in the skies!  Its figthers will intercept anything that attacks the bombers or gunshipos.  The Bombers and gunships come in knowing what they plan to attack (like a player).
Also, jets will offer some fire support for ground units so be prepared for an all out assult early on.

When you go on the offensive, note that the default AI will mass each and ever type of defense to the best of its ability.  Expect to be hit with all types of laser towers, plasma battery, Missile towers and the AI's special anti-aircraft turrets, Arm Triple-A and Core Anti-Aircraft Artillery.  Also, I have added special decoy commanders to help hide its real commander.  These special decoys will appear like the normal commander in every way except they will not build a thing.  They will appear to dgun (but its fake so dont' worry) and instead of a light red laser they shoot a medium blue laser.  Before you decided to send in a massive Gunship squadron, you had better make sure you have the real thing.

Overall, Siege is my attempt to make the AI a force to be reckoned with. Maybe players will begin to respect the difficulty levels in skirmish mode now--if you want easy or hard, you get just that! Based on the settings you choose, the AI may take a bit longer to mass its attack force and it may have a more "player" friendly defense.  In In its default state, Siege should serve up an interesting skirmish game; however, it is not unbeatable and does not always make the best decisions in building.  Please be patient if you do not meet your match with the Default included profiles. 3rd party authors may offer up quite a few interesting profiles for the Siege Patch in the future, some of which could make you fall to your knees and beg for mecry!

For now, thank you for your interest in the Siege AI patch, and I hope it offers up a great game for all commanders.

Sage_Z, masterkg@yahoo.com