No, this is not a post about GenAI. Improvements to how the various NPC factions operate have been some of the most common requests players have made for EFSe. While we have made a lot of the changes players have requested since releasing the Enhanced version of the game last year, we have been very careful with the AI. We have finally put up on a beta on both GOG and Steam that allows you to try some of these changes, and I will be showing more during my Sunday EFSe stream at 3 pm EST.
These AI changes are only in beta format now, but we would appreciate all feedback from current players as to their thoughts. The plan is for a much deeper dive into AI improvements over the course of 2027. These changes are not in the main branch for players, but we have opened the beta to anyone who owns the game on either GOG or Steam.
To try the beta in Steam, rclick on EFSe in your Library (you can leave a quick game review while there). Under “Properties”, select “Game Versions and Betas.” You will see the default version at the top, all the previous version under that, and the beta version at the very bottom. Select beta test and download the changes. Play, have fun, and please let us know what you think! Here are the beta changes:
- AI no longer overbuilds weak garrison units;
- AI factories and forts build a greater variety of units;
- AI prioritizes freighter research (this is moddable);
- AI more likely to build labs if it doesn’t have enough;
- AI builds more freighters and bulk haulers than before; and
- AI correctly declares itself Emperor when it can.
Combined, this makes AI turns much faster (less weak units) and the AI is more active, successfully invades planets and can win in ways other than just killing all your nobles. More AI changes are coming.
My Sunday 3 pm ESTe developer stream showing these will be on https://youtube.com/GeorgiaGameDevs
