Is using a Bug in the game cheating?

  Alpha Centauri Forums
  The Game
  Is using a Bug in the game cheating?

profile | register | prefs | faq | search

Author Topic:   Is using a Bug in the game cheating?

Bossman posted 07-03-99 06:00 PM ET
If the bug lets say:
10 Needlejets flys into an allies city.
If you choose to support all those needlejets from that city the computer lets you and it says that theyt are supported from that city BUT arent on its resource chart.
Is that cheating do you think?
MichaeltheGreat posted 07-03-99 06:12 PM ET
If you're exploiting any bug or loophole that is not explicitly part of the intended design, it is cheating IMO. The fact that the AI cheats (in every game, not a rant at Firaxis) is no excuse - you have a brain and the ability to spend as much time as you want figuring out what you want to do each turn. The AI doesn't.
1-0 Cheating
Zardoz posted 07-03-99 06:28 PM ET
I would say it's a cheat. I know that it exists, I've never used it.
Cheat 2-0
Krushala posted 07-03-99 06:30 PM ET
I guess it would be cheating. But I never bothered to check it out. I guess a lot of people like to find bugs/loopholes etc. I never knew about any of them until I read these forums. I just play the game according to the manual (even though it's pretty screwed up). Maybe that's why my play is screwed up. I don't even bother building anymore. I just stomp the ai. Why bother building if the ai isn't going to do it. No challenge.
Bossman posted 07-03-99 06:35 PM ET
What! The AI doesnt build!!!
What level do you play on my friend?
Citizen?
On Talent and above the AI is roughly on a par with the human brain (Apparently!) and it does build ALOT, the HIVE or the SPARTANS usually build their empires massive so persevere with the building.
I am sorry to say that if the loophole exists I am happy to take advantage of it
CHEAT 2-1
Krushala posted 07-03-99 06:42 PM ET
I'm not talking about the number of cities. I'm talking about city improvements. Things to actually improve their labs rating without cheating on transcend. They can build 500 units pretty good though.
MichaeltheGreat posted 07-03-99 06:46 PM ET
Bossman - I played on transcend, and now only play PBEM and scenarios - maybe I'll give solo play another shot when patch 4 comes out.
In more than half of my Transcend games - I built EVERY SP and the combined AI factions built none. I never transcended that often, simply because by 2120 to 2150, I was so dominant that the game was too boring to actually wind down to a finish.
The AI builds stuff, just not very well, not very appropriately, and damned sure not effectively enough to be a challenge. At talent and above, the AI isn't on the par of an amoeba's brain, let alone a human one. I hope you're still not challenged at that level.
Bossman posted 07-03-99 06:56 PM ET
Was that a threat?
I dont know but I also dont play SMAC solo anymore.
Transcend? EASY, been there, done that.
Great minds think alike hey Mike?
Krushala posted 07-03-99 06:57 PM ET
I misread that post. I sure am thick. The ai is roughly on par with the human brain (apparently). Actually they probably are on par with my brain today. Still haven't woke up.
aceplayer posted 07-04-99 05:24 PM ET
bossman - glad you brought this up...
Playing solo - you can either outwit the programmers - or you can attempt to play the game as it was intended to be played.
Enuff ppl complain about how stupid the AI is - so why do you want to take advantage of bugs too? Experience the game !! However - I have no objection to ppl taking advantage of bugs if they want to - but then dont complain about the stupidity of the AI...
However - for the CONTEST SCENARIOS - we would like it to be an "Alpha Centauri skill contest" - not a "how to beat the system contest". That is why I ask contest entrants to not take advantage of bugs.
bossman - please send me your sav file for T50_lal_2101 - It only takes a minute to email it...Click on the above envelope...
Bossman posted 07-04-99 05:48 PM ET
OK Packed and posted
umbra1 posted 07-04-99 06:18 PM ET
Playing the solo game and taking advantage of the loopholes does lead you into bad habits... When you start playing PBEM you have to play by the rules.
Resource Consumer posted 07-04-99 09:13 PM ET
This is philosophy, which I admit I'm not strong on. However.....
how long's a piece of bug?
OR....
if a program has a bug and nobody notices it, then is that a game feature or does that make the game a classic? (you can cite all sorts here b4 we all got so picky)
Resource Consumer
- ready to duck all those "are we all paid beta tester comments" -
- yes I have driven a car into a tree......
aceplayer posted 07-06-99 08:34 AM ET
oops bossman - I didnt get the file yet
try sending it again...
To close this thread, click here (moderator or admin only).


Hop to:

Contact Us | Alpha Centauri Home

Powered by: Ultimate Bulletin Board, Version 5.18
© Madrona Park, Inc., 1998.

Author	Topic: Is using a Bug in the game cheating?
Bossman	posted 07-03-99 06:00 PM ET If the bug lets say: 10 Needlejets flys into an allies city. If you choose to support all those needlejets from that city the computer lets you and it says that theyt are supported from that city BUT arent on its resource chart. Is that cheating do you think?
MichaeltheGreat	posted 07-03-99 06:12 PM ET If you're exploiting any bug or loophole that is not explicitly part of the intended design, it is cheating IMO. The fact that the AI cheats (in every game, not a rant at Firaxis) is no excuse - you have a brain and the ability to spend as much time as you want figuring out what you want to do each turn. The AI doesn't. 1-0 Cheating
Zardoz	posted 07-03-99 06:28 PM ET I would say it's a cheat. I know that it exists, I've never used it. Cheat 2-0
Krushala	posted 07-03-99 06:30 PM ET I guess it would be cheating. But I never bothered to check it out. I guess a lot of people like to find bugs/loopholes etc. I never knew about any of them until I read these forums. I just play the game according to the manual (even though it's pretty screwed up). Maybe that's why my play is screwed up. I don't even bother building anymore. I just stomp the ai. Why bother building if the ai isn't going to do it. No challenge.
Bossman	posted 07-03-99 06:35 PM ET What! The AI doesnt build!!! What level do you play on my friend? Citizen? On Talent and above the AI is roughly on a par with the human brain (Apparently!) and it does build ALOT, the HIVE or the SPARTANS usually build their empires massive so persevere with the building. I am sorry to say that if the loophole exists I am happy to take advantage of it CHEAT 2-1
Krushala	posted 07-03-99 06:42 PM ET I'm not talking about the number of cities. I'm talking about city improvements. Things to actually improve their labs rating without cheating on transcend. They can build 500 units pretty good though.
MichaeltheGreat	posted 07-03-99 06:46 PM ET Bossman - I played on transcend, and now only play PBEM and scenarios - maybe I'll give solo play another shot when patch 4 comes out. In more than half of my Transcend games - I built EVERY SP and the combined AI factions built none. I never transcended that often, simply because by 2120 to 2150, I was so dominant that the game was too boring to actually wind down to a finish. The AI builds stuff, just not very well, not very appropriately, and damned sure not effectively enough to be a challenge. At talent and above, the AI isn't on the par of an amoeba's brain, let alone a human one. I hope you're still not challenged at that level.
Bossman	posted 07-03-99 06:56 PM ET Was that a threat? I dont know but I also dont play SMAC solo anymore. Transcend? EASY, been there, done that. Great minds think alike hey Mike?
Krushala	posted 07-03-99 06:57 PM ET I misread that post. I sure am thick. The ai is roughly on par with the human brain (apparently). Actually they probably are on par with my brain today. Still haven't woke up.
aceplayer	posted 07-04-99 05:24 PM ET bossman - glad you brought this up... Playing solo - you can either outwit the programmers - or you can attempt to play the game as it was intended to be played. Enuff ppl complain about how stupid the AI is - so why do you want to take advantage of bugs too? Experience the game !! However - I have no objection to ppl taking advantage of bugs if they want to - but then dont complain about the stupidity of the AI... However - for the CONTEST SCENARIOS - we would like it to be an "Alpha Centauri skill contest" - not a "how to beat the system contest". That is why I ask contest entrants to not take advantage of bugs. bossman - please send me your sav file for T50_lal_2101 - It only takes a minute to email it...Click on the above envelope...
Bossman	posted 07-04-99 05:48 PM ET OK Packed and posted
umbra1	posted 07-04-99 06:18 PM ET Playing the solo game and taking advantage of the loopholes does lead you into bad habits... When you start playing PBEM you have to play by the rules.
Resource Consumer	posted 07-04-99 09:13 PM ET This is philosophy, which I admit I'm not strong on. However..... how long's a piece of bug? OR.... if a program has a bug and nobody notices it, then is that a game feature or does that make the game a classic? (you can cite all sorts here b4 we all got so picky) Resource Consumer - ready to duck all those "are we all paid beta tester comments" - - yes I have driven a car into a tree......
aceplayer	posted 07-06-99 08:34 AM ET oops bossman - I didnt get the file yet try sending it again...