Please don't give up on AI squadmates | Forums

[C-Pick]

Every time I visit these forums, I keep seeing players complain about AI-controlled squadmates and how they wish these squadmates can be disabled completely. It is posts like these that make me think Ubisoft and other developers will some day give up entirely on having AI squadmates in games like these in the future. And that would be a very sad thing.

Maybe I'm just old-school, but single-player gamers like me care nothing about co-op or multiplayer modes and have no interest in playing them. We grew up with tactical squad-based shooters that catered to the single-player experience by giving us teams of AI squadmates whom we could issue all sorts of commands to--games like Rainbow Six (Siege not included), SWAT 3 and 4, Brothers in Arms, Operation: Flashpoint, and, yes, Ghost Recon. These were games that emphasized the whole squad-based gameplay thing and allowed players who want nothing to do with the shenanigans and technical issues of online multiplayer to enjoy deep tactical experiences. And we could enjoy these experiences on our own time, at our own pace.

Nowadays, with the popularity of co-op and whatnot, people like me are starved for good squad-based tactical shooters, which are a DYING breed. I was heartened to see that Ubisoft was making at least some effort to not leave us single-player gamers in the dust by ensuring we would have our team of AI squadmates at our side throughout our time in Bolivia.

And I'm not gonna lie: I really do wish that the squad commands here were deeper, more complex, etc. I'd love to order my squad in more ways, including fire modes or rules of engagement (heck, even older Ghost Recon games allowed us to do that!). But I am thankful for at least having a team I can command at all. It's better than nothing.

But please, everyone, maybe you just didn't have the same gaming childhood I had. Some of us actually prefer a squad-based tactical shooter that, ya know, has a SQUAD we can command and work with--without even thinking about multiplayer/co-op garbage. And when you post about getting rid of AI squadmates, what's to motivate developers to even bother with AI squadmates at all in the future? Why waste the time at all? Gamers like me will have nowhere to go for tactical shooters.

So please, Ubisoft, if you're reading this, don't give up on squad-based tactical shooters like Ghost Recon, Rainbow Six, etc., and don't give up on AI squadmates and squad commands. RS: Siege has already gone full multiplayer, and I fear we've lost that franchise forever. Don't let the same happen to Ghost Recon.

[C-Pick]

Every time I visit these forums, I keep seeing players complain about AI-controlled squadmates and how they wish these squadmates can be disabled completely. It is posts like these that make me think Ubisoft and other developers will some day give up entirely on having AI squadmates in games like these in the future. And that would be a very sad thing.

Maybe I'm just old-school, but single-player gamers like me care nothing about co-op or multiplayer modes and have no interest in playing them. We grew up with tactical squad-based shooters that catered to the single-player experience by giving us teams of AI squadmates whom we could issue all sorts of commands to--games like Rainbow Six (Siege not included), SWAT 3 and 4, Brothers in Arms, Operation: Flashpoint, and, yes, Ghost Recon. These were games that emphasized the whole squad-based gameplay thing and allowed players who want nothing to do with the shenanigans and technical issues of online multiplayer to enjoy deep tactical experiences. And we could enjoy these experiences on our own time, at our own pace.

Nowadays, with the popularity of co-op and whatnot, people like me are starved for good squad-based tactical shooters, which are a DYING breed. I was heartened to see that Ubisoft was making at least some effort to not leave us single-player gamers in the dust by ensuring we would have our team of AI squadmates at our side throughout our time in Bolivia.

And I'm not gonna lie: I really do wish that the squad commands here were deeper, more complex, etc. I'd love to order my squad in more ways, including fire modes or rules of engagement (heck, even older Ghost Recon games allowed us to do that!). But I am thankful for at least having a team I can command at all. It's better than nothing.

But please, everyone, maybe you just didn't have the same gaming childhood I had. Some of us actually prefer a squad-based tactical shooter that, ya know, has a SQUAD we can command and work with--without even thinking about multiplayer/co-op garbage. And when you post about getting rid of AI squadmates, what's to motivate developers to even bother with AI squadmates at all in the future? Why waste the time at all? Gamers like me will have nowhere to go for tactical shooters.

So please, Ubisoft, if you're reading this, don't give up on squad-based tactical shooters like Ghost Recon, Rainbow Six, etc., and don't give up on AI squadmates and squad commands. RS: Siege has already gone full multiplayer, and I fear we've lost that franchise forever. Don't let the same happen to Ghost Recon.

[UbiPhobos]

Hey C-Pick,

Thanks for sharing your experience with the game and your perspective with the AI teammates. We do understand that players have different opinions about certain game play and we are always open to receiving feedback in order for everyone to get the most out of their specific game style. Appreciated!

[C-Pick]

Thanks, UbiPhobos. I'm bumping this because I'm hoping others will chime in here. Rather than ditching AI squadmates in tactical SQUAD-based shooters like this, why don't we all work to improve them?

I certainly have ideas for this.

1. Have the squadmates update you whenever they're in position. For example, when I issue the "go to" order, I want my team to let me know when they've arrived. Someone can simply say, "We're in position."

2. Have an option to control rules of engagement. I should be able to put my team on a "fire at will" order or a "fire if spotted" order, regardless if they are moving, regrouping, or holding their position.

3. I should be able to order them to use suppressors or go loud.

4. I should be able to order individual squadmates or the entire team if I choose. I may want to individually position each squadmate in different positions.

5. There should be some sort of "breach and clear" options for buildings and other interior environments.

6. I should be able to customize the clothing and loadouts (but at least the clothing) of my squadmates. This would further help with immersion.

All these are things I wish Wildlands enabled me and all single-player gamers to do. How awesome would it be to have this level of control and immersion in a beautiful, open-ended open-world game like this?

[SoonerOX]

I agree OP. While I also enjoy the coop experience with my friends, my core gameplay is solo. I want ubi to devote some time to improving the solo experience in addition to the coop experience. Expanding the command wheel, and making the friendly AI behave more like elite operators (cover to cover movement, deliberately avoiding enemy patrols, rules of engagement options, etc) would go a long way to completing this game for me. Good post.

[Cons72]

I agree with the topic creator. Great post.

[Old Raven NL]

Great post, same here.
I love tactical squad based games you can do solo..
The last good squad based tactical game on console feels like ages ago.

I do also understand the complexity of good tactical squad AI, especially in an open world.
It's really hard to write good squad AI and pathfinding in open world games, but I really really hope they do find someone who can do this.
I would recommend big game companies in finding someone who understands this, look up and talk to the guy who did the AI in Operation Flashpoint for example.
Or go talk to Bohemia Interactive. That's my go to milsim on pc. But with a little extra work you can have a wonderfull tactical experience in wildlands on a console!
There's a good base. I love the map design and locations, the feel of the weapons, movement (I do miss a lean function).

I love to hear some feedback from the developer of what they plan to add/fix for us.
I'm NOT loking foreward to making it even more arcady with dlc like narco road. Come on guys. Monstertrucks? This is not gta.

[BrotherXInXArmz]

I agree with OP. This game is amazing. Hats off to the devs 10/10 for me. It's nice to ride into one of the many wonderful, unique environments with a full squad whether I am in co op or single player! Thanks Ubisoft, I look forward to future wildlands titles.

[shotbyron]

I love the AI squad mates. I just wish they were more useful. Like you I grew up on tactical shooters. I just don't feel they really add anything to gameplay unless its sync shot or a all out gun battle.

I forget what game it was. But I rember in old Clancy games you could break your team into pairs of two. Tell them what path to take. Have them breach doors, throw flash bangs etc. They were tactical shooters. This game is not.

[tmc8912]

Every time I visit these forums, I keep seeing players complain about AI-controlled squadmates and how they wish these squadmates can be disabled completely. It is posts like these that make me think Ubisoft and other developers will some day give up entirely on having AI squadmates in games like these in the future. And that would be a very sad thing.

Maybe I'm just old-school, but single-player gamers like me care nothing about co-op or multiplayer modes and have no interest in playing them. We grew up with tactical squad-based shooters that catered to the single-player experience by giving us teams of AI squadmates whom we could issue all sorts of commands to--games like Rainbow Six (Siege not included), SWAT 3 and 4, Brothers in Arms, Operation: Flashpoint, and, yes, Ghost Recon. These were games that emphasized the whole squad-based gameplay thing and allowed players who want nothing to do with the shenanigans and technical issues of online multiplayer to enjoy deep tactical experiences. And we could enjoy these experiences on our own time, at our own pace.

Nowadays, with the popularity of co-op and whatnot, people like me are starved for good squad-based tactical shooters, which are a DYING breed. I was heartened to see that Ubisoft was making at least some effort to not leave us single-player gamers in the dust by ensuring we would have our team of AI squadmates at our side throughout our time in Bolivia.

And I'm not gonna lie: I really do wish that the squad commands here were deeper, more complex, etc. I'd love to order my squad in more ways, including fire modes or rules of engagement (heck, even older Ghost Recon games allowed us to do that!). But I am thankful for at least having a team I can command at all. It's better than nothing.

But please, everyone, maybe you just didn't have the same gaming childhood I had. Some of us actually prefer a squad-based tactical shooter that, ya know, has a SQUAD we can command and work with--without even thinking about multiplayer/co-op garbage. And when you post about getting rid of AI squadmates, what's to motivate developers to even bother with AI squadmates at all in the future? Why waste the time at all? Gamers like me will have nowhere to go for tactical shooters.

So please, Ubisoft, if you're reading this, don't give up on squad-based tactical shooters like Ghost Recon, Rainbow Six, etc., and don't give up on AI squadmates and squad commands. RS: Siege has already gone full multiplayer, and I fear we've lost that franchise forever. Don't let the same happen to Ghost Recon.

I have no interest in turning the AI nor playing "lone wolf". This is not what Ghost Recon was ever about and the people that prefer this are likely kids that grew up on newer unrealistic arcade shooters. I also started grew up and prefer more tactical shooters. I started with Rainbow 6 on Nintendo 64 and I have been hooked ever since then. I can't even guess how many hours I've spent on the original Ghost Recon and Ghost Recon Island Thunder. That was back in the day when Red Storm Entertainment was making the games. If anyone doesn't know, Tom Clancy founded Red Storm. Ever since Ubisoft took control, these titles have become more of arcade hollywood shooters. The original titles had it right with the friendly AI and command ability. I will say that now the game mechanics would be outdated, but I would have preferred if Ubisoft took notes on those games and improved from there. My biggest complaint with the friendly AI is the lack of cohesion while moving along with the lack of commands. The friendly AI should move closely to the player in formation at all times unless directed otherwise just like the old games. I would have also liked to see the ability to set way points on the map for individual or all AI teammates. It would have been great to be able to set teams as well (The player and 1 AI on alpha and the other 2 AI on Bravo) and be able to issue separate orders. This was all optional in games from 1998 and early 2000s, so I'm not sure what the problem is here with incorporating these perks today.

Though not part of the Tom Clancy series, maybe Ubisoft can also take notes from something like operation flashpoint and how the friendly AI moved and operated with the player in that game.

[tmc8912]

I love the AI squad mates. I just wish they were more useful. Like you I grew up on tactical shooters. I just don't feel they really add anything to gameplay unless its sync shot or a all out gun battle.

I forget what game it was. But I rember in old Clancy games you could break your team into pairs of two. Tell them what path to take. Have them breach doors, throw flash bangs etc. They were tactical shooters. This game is not.

I didn't see your comment prior to posting mine, but I completely agree with you. The team customization was on point in the older games. This is more of a tactical shooter than what Ubisoft has been making lately, but its still lacking. I fear the days of Red Storms Tom Clancy tactical shooters are long gone and the childish hollywood arcade shooters are here to stay.