AI for your character???

[Jedininjafuq]

Im wondering if it's possible to cast a spell or whatever that will force your Oblivion character to use an AI package ie.

You go to the stable and get on your horse to go to Leyawiin in order to get something, but it's an awfully long way, and especially as you want to get up to Bruma directly afterwards it all seems a bit of a chore, so you fast travel! We've all done it, you want to remain pure and ride you horse everywhere but it can get a bit taxing and the temptation can get to you.

So I was thinking of an alternative; would it be possible to cast a spell and choose a destination, then your character, mounted or otherwise will go there without you controlling them. You could even have it so they would fight any enemies on the way so you could just sit back and watch like a movie. Companions would still follow you, undiscovered areas would be placed on your map etc. You could even cast a spell to have the PC go to the current quest marker (you would obviously have to use your discretion as to which quests) and sit back and watch while the computer uses your weapons and spells to complete the task for you, or you could go and have a cup of tea, go to the pub, whatever!

I was thinking also about a mark and recall type of system so you can mark a number of positions and have your character follow an AI package to return there, ridding the world of evil on the way. This would be usefull for marking your "home", equipment dump, display room, etc. Endless possibilities.

I would like to make this mod myself, I have made a few mods (mostly for myself) and I have an understanding of the CS and a little about scripting, but I think this may be beyond my abilities, so if anyone with the skills reads this and likes it please have a go as it may be a while before I get anywhere with it. I have had a look at a mod called Stalk'em by Aoshima Michio;

www.tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=18630.

This mod forces the PC to follow a selected NPC with a target spell and it works very well. There are minor issues though, such as climbing stairs and bumping into things depending on which mode you select, but they are easily got around. This was what gave me the idea but upon looking at how the mod works in the CS I fear that it may be more advanced than I know how to do just yet.

If anybody would enjoy the challenge of building this mod they would have my grattitude, however if you don't I will be making my own sad attempts so any advice on how to go about it would also be appreciated. I realise that asking for some kind of tutorial is a ridiculous request so anything that might help would be great.

Many Thanks.

Jedininjafuq.

[ihateregisteringeverywhere]

Why force AI on the PC when you can create a full actor copy NPC? After that you just need to set the player invisible.

 

I like the idea, woud go well with dissabled fast traveling and a transportation system. I always wondered why's there no mages guild guild teleportation system in vanila worked great in morrowind...

[BobSob2020]

Why force AI on the PC when you can create a full actor copy NPC? After that you just need to set the player invisible.

 

Well, now that you put it that way, it brings to my mind another question: Would it be possible to add (reflect) armor values and enchantments trough a invisible copy of a player (or an NPC that copies everything the player does, and is placed at the same spot), allowing the player to wield simultaneously two layers of clothing as on slot-group #1 (what the player is wearing) and slot-group #2 (what the NPC is wearing). And to bring this further, would it be possible to disable the other slot from wearing i.e. armor, and the other to wear non-armor? (I've seen a few requests concerning wearing i.e. lingerie under armor etc.)

 

I know my idea is bit off topic, but I somehow see the relevance to this, since I'd consider it rather stupid if the player wouldn't take any damage from the battles he goes trough in this "autopilot" mode.

[nosisab]

There are ways to takeover the PC's control and force him to do some predefined actions. But giving him a whole AI is strange, at least, under this game concept. If you will be looking the PC moving from Chorrol to Bruma I think you is going to be the new Budah :) Since it's like following a movie character going a long and eventless metro trip. I know the PC have a chance to encounter enemies on the way, but again I hate the idea letting him fight under AI.

 

The game does a role trying and avoiding fast trip being a teleport thing. The time pass at some extent, to something alike the travel with a black courier horse, more or less. Personally I think the fast travel was a good idea, albeit an idea prone to be overused. Keep pressing the W key is a problem? well, pulse the Q key once and the PC will move forward continuously. TAB key will put him under constantly run state. Now last the mouse to address... well if is going to it maybe is time to just fast travel.

 

But the thing goes longer, it is not just traveling, not even just a combat AI... is even doing the quests. I like that idea, but I think it would be better making "Oblivion, The Movie". Yet I can comprehend your wish too. Some quests I feel bored doing them, too. Mainly when is a quest that brings a desired reward or is prerequisite to advance the more global one.

 

Just remember, that isn't a mod idea, it is a Total Conversion idea.

 

PS: The Sims was the image I couldn't avoid coming and coming again while writing the reply.

[ihateregisteringeverywhere]

A TC? No it's not. You can literaly create a companion like copy of yourself, the whole idea - atleast the traveling / ocasionaly fighting part would work, you just need to find a good way on how to issue the orders (to yourself lol) and perhaps a way to copy the skill status - in case the doppelganger gains any levels.

[nosisab]

A TC? No it's not. You can literaly create a companion like copy of yourself, the whole idea - atleast the traveling / ocasionaly fighting part would work, you just need to find a good way on how to issue the orders (to yourself lol) and perhaps a way to copy the skill status - in case the doppelganger gains any levels.

I was not talking about using the clone. The whole idea from the OP is the TC. Indeed I did write "after all this I wrote I suddenly realize the possible better way to implement this idea was already posted by IHate...." together with others things I deem better pull out before hitting the send button :)

 

(one that things was saying some parts of the original idea remembers the macro uses into online game like UO) what I realized wasn't the OP intention.

 

BTW maybe not a TC, since at least the looking of the game is kept. ... well, the biggest advantage of having a game with a CS is the freedom to do and make things we like. Even changing the game mechanics and original concepts. Just is good having at mind the CS isn't a Game Development Kit. It is tied and restrict with the game concepts. OBSE does alot at giving us more at the scripting capacities. But as a whole even where some ideas can be implemented they may be so complex or demanding to be feasible. The CS grant ways to enhance the game but it isn't meant to develop another game. To this the whole engine must be redesigned.

 

One way the OP idea diverges the TC as it is commonly meant is in the TC looks and characters from another game or world are transposed into the actual game engine. What is proposed here is the inverse: transpose Oblivion to another way to play it, another game, another concept. Indeed another engine.

 

PS: The idea here isn't be just 'against' an idea, is presenting things that one should be aware before committing to a task. Something like an antithesis.

 

Becoming accustomed doing this way helps narrowing the prospects, and put the features as modules, easier to implement and keep the whole (complete) idea under control.