MauveBib's Squad AI Thing
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Version 1 - 04/02/2009


Welcome, traveller, to the first release of my Squad AI Thing. The purpose of this DarkPlaces 
Quake Mod is to recreate a squad based AI similar to the Marine combats found in Half Life.
It is a techdemo, and in no way a complete mod.


Controls
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There is only one weapon, an MP5-alike, which has infinite ammo, but must be reloaded every 
30 shots. Reload is bound to the 'R' key.

This is a slow-paced, tactical style thing, so make use of cover and crouch using the 'C' 
key.


The AI
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The whole point of this techdemo is the AI. The soldiers should act in a relatively 
coordinated manner. The folloing are some of the current features of the AI, which will be 
expanded upon as time goes by:

Navigataing the map using an A* algorithm
	A Powerful and efficient waypoint navigation technique

Flanking and surrounding the player
	By manipulating the costs of the waypoints, squad members can be forced to find
	alernative paths, which lead them around and behind the enemy.

Taking cover when appropriate
	Sometimes when shot, when the player has the soldiers in his sights, when in need of 
	reloading and from time to time as a precaution

Finding good fire points
	The soldiers constantly move from one firing point to another, and search for new
	firing points when the player takes cover etc. They tend to avoid dangerous fire 
	points.

Using grenades to flush the player out of cover
	This needs work, they're currently a bit too happy to use this, and not scared 
	enough of grenades when they're on the ground (very much like the Half Life
	Marines actually).

Squad communication
	The squad communicate with each other to keep firing lines clear, to update each 
	other on the player's location etc. Much of this communication is expressed vocally.


Bugs
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The main bug I'm aware of is that the soldiers sometimes freeze mid-animation. I'm working 
on fixing it.

The map is missing several textures and probably some shaders. I'll see if I can find them.


Running
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The mod is run like any Darkplaces mod. Install to a 'squad' subdirectory of your Quake 
directory, and run with the commandline:

darkplaces -game squad +map industrial_nex_r1


Credits
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The models mostly come from JBallou's FBI Quake, and I apologise for the theft.

The Crate model is retextured from a model by Chris. My modelling program was on the fritz so I grabbed his.

The included test map is Industrial by Hipshot. Big props to him for a great map.

iD Software for Quake.

LordHavoc et al for DarkPlaces.


Contact
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enail: skinski@email.com
website: http://elf.planetquake.gamespy.com

I can also be reached by pidgeon post, stripogram and telepathy.

Cheers,

MauveBib