How does the AI deal with Infinite Money?
Gaming
Introduction
Money is a fundamental resource in any strategy game, and its availability significantly influences gameplay mechanics. This article explores the impact of giving the AI infinite money in Europa Universalis IV (EU4) through a custom mod. Will the AI become a powerhouse, spamming high-value advisors and constructing an array of buildings? Let's find out!
Setting Up Infinite Money
To test how AI reacts to an infinite money scenario, a straightforward custom mod was created that provides a decision for players to receive 10,000 ducats whenever they are below that threshold. This is achieved through a ‘free money’ decision, which becomes available when the player's treasury dips below 10,000 ducats.
To ensure that the AI engages with this decision, its priority for this action was significantly increased. This means that if the opportunity to gain free money exists, the AI will prioritize it over everything else.
Observations from the Early Game
After testing the mod for around 100 years, it was noted that the AI did not behave drastically differently than it typically would. Some nations placed more buildings and increased their manufacturing capabilities, but overall, they did not exploit their newfound wealth in extraordinary ways.
One critical finding is that despite having access to large sums of money, the AI is not inclined to spend it recklessly. Instead, it tends to focus on income rather than lone large amounts of cash. For example, if the AI has an income of only three ducats but 10,000 ducats in reserves, it won’t immediately hire a higher-tier advisor since it fears not being able to maintain such spending in the future.
A Shift to Consistent Income
To explore further, the mod was adjusted to provide a consistent income of approximately 120,000 ducats yearly instead of fluctuating amounts. This change allowed the AI to recognize its financial security and act accordingly. By 1500, the results showed that many smaller countries survived longer than usual and developed further due to this newfound economic stability.
When examining countries like England, it was notable they could reclaim lost territory and build infrastructure efficiently. The overall development of nations across Europe showed a marked increase, demonstrating the AI’s ability to invest in various areas using the resources provided to them effectively.
Infrastructure and Development
With consistent funding, even the smaller nations began to flourish. They were able to hire level 5 advisors and massively increase their development levels across the board. The development map indicated a wealth of green, with many countries achieving high levels of infrastructure that typically would not occur in a standard EU4 campaign.
Another interesting outcome was observed with Native American nations, which began to thrive as they capitalized on their ability to build custom estates and structures thanks to the continuous influx of ducats.
Late Game Dynamics
Reaching the 1600s revealed that while the AI could manage its resources effectively, performance lag became an issue due to the game's extensive calculations for numerous entities with high development. However, many smaller nations continued to thrive due to their access to continuous money, leading to extensive development across the board.
One curious side effect was the increased complexity in maps; many nations that traditionally would dissolve or be crushed remained viable, causing an intensely varied geopolitical landscape.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while giving AI infinite money in EU4 leads to improved scaling and development, it primarily benefits smaller nations and alters the expected outcomes in the game. The key takeaway is that while AI can handle the money well, having consistent subsidies rather than one-off gifts leads to far more effective use of resources.
Keywords
- EU4
- Infinite Money
- AI Behavior
- Resources Management
- Development
- Modding
- Economic Scaling
- Advisors
FAQ
Q1: What happens to the AI when given infinite money?
A1: The AI tends to invest in infrastructure, hire advisors, and build manufacturers but does not spend the money recklessly.
Q2: Does the AI prioritize spending its available cash?
A2: No, the AI focuses more on ensuring a consistent income rather than utilizing large one-off sums of money.
Q3: How does consistent income affect AI development?
A3: Consistent income allows AI nations to recognize their financial security, leading them to invest in growth and thrive longer in the game.
Q4: Are smaller nations impacted by infinite money differently than larger ones?
A4: Yes, smaller nations are often able to survive and develop better, as they benefit significantly from the steady influx of resources.
Q5: What issues can arise from using an infinite money mod?
A5: Performance lag can become a significant issue due to the complex calculations involved as numerous AI nations build and expand their resources and infrastructure.
