Potential Bug...someone else try and confirm?

[Talenn]

Hey all,

I *think* this may be a bug but it could just be something I did or something I cant figure out so maybe someone else could try and reproduce it?

Anyways, I dont think the computer selects the 1st race (alphabetically) as a potential adversary anymore. For example, if the Abbidon are the first ones in your Races directory, they will never show up in a game when it generates Random Opponents. If your first race was a new one named something like Aavatars or something, the Abbidon are OK, but you'll never see the Aavatars.

I first encountered this when I made a change to Abbidon AI files. I began starting games to get one where they were present under AI control from the beginning. By the time I had started 30+ games and they hadnt shown up, I was beginning to be suspicious. The Amonkrie showed up as expected (the second race alphabetically in my Races Dir).

I then removed the Abbidon from the Directory and started about 20 more games...guess what? No Amonkrie now... Finally, I created a 'dummy file' of 'AA' in my Races Dir and added the Abbidon back in. Bam...first game I start and there they are.

Anyways, I'd like to see if anyone can confirm or deny this in their games. I dont know at what point this bug (if it is one) could have crept in. I've certain played against the Abbidon in the past, but I'm not sure that I have since 1.19. Has anyone else seen them out there who 1) didnt pick them to be in the game and 2) doesnt have any other races in their directory ahead of them alphabetically.

Thanx,
Talenn

[Daynarr]

I can confirm this. I have checked it out on my clean installation of SE4 (nothing but 1.19 patch installed), and in sample of 30 new games Abbidon have never been randomly selected. Also, I have noticed that this appears to be true only if you don't include any Neutral Empires (the first time I have included Neutrals, Abbidon appeared).

My sample of 30 new games was as follows:
- Large Galaxy
- Include Random Empires
- Don't include Random Neutral Empires
- High number of AI controlled Empires
- All other settings were default

I think it is safe to assume that you are right. I do think this is a bug and you should report this MM. Just be sure to mention that this only happens without Neutrals.