That is the problem.  Until the AI is reworked so that it more sensibly knows how to deal with defenses and how to use set up its own defenses, it will likely remain this way.

This was also a problem in vanilla, it was just that you needed a huge "fortress" of static defense to make it possible.  Starbases now mean you can more easily set up these impregnable defenses that the AI doesn't know how to defeat.

The only solution currently is to play multiplayer.  Human opponents will rarely throw themselves headfirst at your defenses, and when they do it's because they think they have a trick up their sleeve that will give them the edge.  This is much more interesting gameplay.  As I've said before, in singleplayer starbases are bulwarks, in multiplayer they're speedbumps.

I've been finding lately that smaller maps 10-20 planets are challenging against a unfair ai(researsher). You dont have the resources to build up to top levels and THEN attack. You have to fight w quite small fleets for every inch, it's quite satisfying. plus you dont tech up till the very end.

You know. We have a billion and a half threads about modding, and three and a half billion posts bitching about the AI. As a coding illiterate I am wondering: Can anyone MAKE a better AI?

While that might be true, I still think its funny that no one has tried.

Careful about how you word that, someone might think you believe in a free market. Then the unions will get involved.. we'll all be screwed.

I am a Supreme Commander fan, and a fellow with the screen name of Sorian made an excellent AI that beats the pants off the stock AI and makes the game run faster at the same time.  He was recently hired at Gas Powered Games to work on Supreme Commander 2, largely due to his excellent AI modding work which he had done for free.  So, there is potential payoff for folks who want to put enough effort into a mod!

you hear this IC......................you need to hire those guys over there in Distant Stars......

I 'm coming out of lurker mode to throw my two cents. I prefer single player games and I have been waiting very patiently for Ironclad to improve the AI and perhaps focus somewhat more on the single player experience. Since it seems the developers cater mostly to the multi-players I am starting to realize that I may have to write off Sins as a game that had great potential but failed to meet my expectations. I am hanging on to see if the Diplomacy mini expansion throws a bone over to us single players.

If I could persaude the developers to make two changes to improve the single player experience I would ask the developers to change the AI coding to allow for user modding and also add a moddable random event generator to create a more dynamic experience throughout the game.  One of my favorite games is the Medieval 2 total war, and the modding community improved upon a weak Vanilla AI experience to a semi competent one. Since Sins already has a decenting modding community it wouldn't take long for someone to develope a interesting AI experience.

I know I am not the only person on this board who prefers a single player game experience.  I have been lurking on this board long enough to know this to be true.  I would say there is a sizable population of players requesting an improved AI overall.  Back to lurking for me.

would not say impossible, more extremely limited, you can use the Gameplay Constants to improve some factors of the game (for example, make them more willing to build bigger fleets, use defensive buildings more, and do more research)

What I would like to see is the ability to modify what they research, what they build, and even if possible orbital emplacements, but sadly we cant do even this simply thing.

After the Diplomacy mini expansion im hoping to see more game improvement aimed addons. Its a really great game, and I enjoy the fact that its not some 10 minute time waster but something you put much thought and time in to accomplish your goal. I just wish there were somethings that could be addressed that opens the door for more compatability and access to alternatives when it comes to gameplay. AI and others mentioned here and throughout the forums should be the devs priority once they establish Diplomacy and can actively give the individual player not just modders the ability to affect ingame play. with different maps better tracking of records, an AI that gives player better accessibility of online play. Jumping from SP to MP is like walking from one dimension to another. Rarely do you accomplish anything in SP that will truely set you up for success come MP. Id like to see the AI better resemble techniques and tactics that are actually intelligent.