07-17-2018, 05:37 AM
Colonial Marines modder finds big AI fix by changing one letter of code
<div style="margin: 5px 5% 10px 5%;"><img src="http://www.sickgaming.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/colonial-marines-modder-finds-big-ai-fix-by-changing-one-letter-of-code.jpg" width="200" height="200" title="" alt="" /></div><div><p>Word is spreading <a href="https://www.resetera.com/threads/aliens-colonial-marines-ai-fixed-by-a-single-letter.55247/">over on ResetEra</a> today about how an experienced modder of Gearbox’s 2013 bomb <em>Aliens: Colonial Marines </em>discovered a way to significantly improve the game’s AI by changing one letter of code.</p>
<p>Specifically, a modder who goes by James Dickinson <a href="https://www.moddb.com/mods/templargfxs-acm-overhaul/news/the-biggest-bug-in-the-game-is-just-one-letter-long">published a note</a> on ModDB last October explaining that they’d discovered a typo in a line of the game’s AI code that, when fixed, notably improved the way enemies in the game track and follow targets.</p>
<p>The line in question, which at least one ResetEra user claims to have found in their own copy of the game’s code, reads “ClassRemapping=PecanGame.PecanSeqAct_AttachXenoToTether -> PecanGame.PecanSeqAct_AttachPawnToTeather.” When the “a” is cut from “Teather”, at least one ResetEra user claims that the game’s enemies become far more mobile and challenging.</p>
<p>“Why is this line important?” Dickinson wrote. “There are two reasons : 1) AttachXenoToTeather doesn’t do anything. It’s basically empty or stripped 2) AttachPawnToTether does ALOT. It controls tactical position adjustment, patrolling and target zoning.”</p>
<p>When a Xeno is spawned, it is attached to a zone tether,” they continued. “This zone tells the Xeno what area is its fighting space and where different exits are. In Combat, a Xeno will be forced to switch to a new tether (such as one behind you) so as to flank, or disperse so they aren’t so grouped up etc. (*disclaimer* this is inferred opinion, I cant see the actual code only bits.)”</p>
<p>It’s a good reminder that modders often play a vital role in deconstructing and improving games post-launch, even a game like <em>Colonial Marines, </em>which sparked a <a href="https://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/191561/Gearbox_Sega_sued_over_alleged_Aliens_discrepancies.php">class action lawsuit</a> against Gearbox and publisher Sega after it launched in 2013 looking much different than it did in promotional materials. Gearbox was eventually dropped from the suit in 2015.</p>
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<div style="margin: 5px 5% 10px 5%;"><img src="http://www.sickgaming.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/colonial-marines-modder-finds-big-ai-fix-by-changing-one-letter-of-code.jpg" width="200" height="200" title="" alt="" /></div><div><p>Word is spreading <a href="https://www.resetera.com/threads/aliens-colonial-marines-ai-fixed-by-a-single-letter.55247/">over on ResetEra</a> today about how an experienced modder of Gearbox’s 2013 bomb <em>Aliens: Colonial Marines </em>discovered a way to significantly improve the game’s AI by changing one letter of code.</p>
<p>Specifically, a modder who goes by James Dickinson <a href="https://www.moddb.com/mods/templargfxs-acm-overhaul/news/the-biggest-bug-in-the-game-is-just-one-letter-long">published a note</a> on ModDB last October explaining that they’d discovered a typo in a line of the game’s AI code that, when fixed, notably improved the way enemies in the game track and follow targets.</p>
<p>The line in question, which at least one ResetEra user claims to have found in their own copy of the game’s code, reads “ClassRemapping=PecanGame.PecanSeqAct_AttachXenoToTether -> PecanGame.PecanSeqAct_AttachPawnToTeather.” When the “a” is cut from “Teather”, at least one ResetEra user claims that the game’s enemies become far more mobile and challenging.</p>
<p>“Why is this line important?” Dickinson wrote. “There are two reasons : 1) AttachXenoToTeather doesn’t do anything. It’s basically empty or stripped 2) AttachPawnToTether does ALOT. It controls tactical position adjustment, patrolling and target zoning.”</p>
<p>When a Xeno is spawned, it is attached to a zone tether,” they continued. “This zone tells the Xeno what area is its fighting space and where different exits are. In Combat, a Xeno will be forced to switch to a new tether (such as one behind you) so as to flank, or disperse so they aren’t so grouped up etc. (*disclaimer* this is inferred opinion, I cant see the actual code only bits.)”</p>
<p>It’s a good reminder that modders often play a vital role in deconstructing and improving games post-launch, even a game like <em>Colonial Marines, </em>which sparked a <a href="https://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/191561/Gearbox_Sega_sued_over_alleged_Aliens_discrepancies.php">class action lawsuit</a> against Gearbox and publisher Sega after it launched in 2013 looking much different than it did in promotional materials. Gearbox was eventually dropped from the suit in 2015.</p>
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