The New AI is giving mixed results

[Gladiator-Ricdog]

After hearing all the negativity, I just played a couple matches (the prize fights, i.e. Ali vs Marciano) with the new AI. In regards to the AI itself, the results of this latest update are very mixed.

I understand what's happening here. Given the increase in punch damage, the devs wanted the AI defense to be much more effective and simulate punch stats closer to real boxing. This has resulted in the AI having a very tight guard, blocking a large portion of shots and it makes it hard for the player to land 2-3 punch combos consistently. The fact that a majority of initial shots are being blocked makes the player passive and simply resort to outpointing the enemy to an easy decision win. This is where the criticism of the AI comes.

The AI is simply far too passive, throwing only a handful of shots in the round (usually early). After a few punches, the AI will shell up and refuse to engage. If the player decides to retreat or move laterally, the AI will open up just a little bit (for some counter opportunities) but its far too easy fall back into the early rhythm of player punches, enemy blocks.

I can appreciate the devs trying to make the game just a bit closer to simulator boxing by having a tighter defense and making players work to get scoring shots. But the AI is far too passive to take advantage of any player mistakes and will always lose on points. Its not really fun, but more of a grind to the finish line. I think the devs are close to perhaps bringing this game closer to a simulator (what they originally wanted) rather than an "arcade" style fighting game, but they need to figure out how to tweak the AI to be more engaging.

It sucks that after nearly year of early access, the game very much still feels like in early stages of development. There have been no major developments, just more boxers/arenas but no significant improvements. Where is the character creation, a training mode, the single player campaign, or even just a basic tournament mode??? These are basic gameplay options in sports games that are nowhere in site. After years of development (regardless of dev size) this game still feels closer to a tech demo than a finished product

[Mr Bismarck]

Agree that the AI is broken in this update.

If you stand up at the opening bell but don't move, the AI will walk across with their hands down - if you land an uppercut as the come in they will raise guard and shuffle backwards all the way across the ring to the far ropes and then stand there like their foot is stuck.

Eventually after 10+ seconds they'll slowly walk back across the ring to you, but another landed uppercut will repeat the cycle. You can burn off entire rounds without the AI throwing a punch.

Winning the three prize fights is trivial because the AI are so passive.

[<Lethal]

I think they are on the right track, make the ai bit more aggressive and less guarded and think it will work.
Previously the AI just bobbed around so it was easy to time them.

[Anecd0tal_Gamer]

Originally posted by <Lethal:

I think they are on the right track, make the ai bit more aggressive and less guarded and think it will work.
Previously the AI just bobbed around so it was easy to time them.

Naa, the AI is too passive. AI body Spams too.

[BanthaPooDoo]

This new AI update is pretty damn bad man. I wanted to see how long it took them to come over to me and timed a solid 20 seconds of just a stare down. Then when they do walk over you tap them once and its back to the same thing.