HOI2 slows down dramatically later in the game

[ju87]

Technical Problem

I have a technical problem that I need your help with please.

Game Version & Patch (incl. publisher): HOI2 patch 1.3b

OS & build/SP: XP Home Edition SP 2 Build 2600

Computer, CPU & speed: Compaq R4000, AMD Athlon 2.1 GHz

RAM: 512 MB

Free HDD space: ~9 GB

Video (brand, model, driver, memory): ATi Mobility Radeon Express 200M

Sound (brand, model, driver): Conexant AC Link Audio

DirectX Version: 9.0

Other:

I read the stickies but I still have the following problem:

* I've been playing HOI2 for the past year now and have been grappling with this problem ever since. As the years pass by, the speed becomes incredibly slow, even at extremely fast mode. Why does this happen? Is there any way to fix this?

 

[jpd]

Depends on what you define as incredibly slow.

Extremely fast does not mean that the game engine blasts through everything in record time.

What it does mean is this: Take the CPU time necessary to perform all the needed calculations for all the various AI's and combat resolutions for all raging battles. When that's done (for each game turn, which is each game hour that ticks away), minimise time spend in handling the user interface, and move on to the next game turn (aka game hour).

This is not a chess programs which cuts off the computer AI time prematurelty if you set it on the fastest setting. Which would make the chess program make more increasingly stupid moves. Hoi2/doomsday's speed setting simply defines a minimum time (in seconds) for advancing from game hour to game hour. A portion of that time is used to evaluate the various AI's and other game engine calculations. What's left of the allotted time is spent dealing with the user interface front end.

Based on your computer's processing horse power, the amount of CPU time needed will vary. It also varies based on what is happening. More battles and more units means more CPU time needed.

When you specify the fastest engine speed setting, then you are in fact telling it to minimise turn-to-turn time. That, in fact, will make you notice the increase in CPU time needed to properly evaluate the AI code when more and more units are controlled by the AI.

Setting the game engine speed to a more realistic setting (like normal. It's called normal for a reason ) will make game progression more slowly overall, but also gives a greater time interval for the game engine to calculate what needs to be calculated. In other words, turn-to-turn time will be more constant overall, as there is less chance that the turn calculations will exceed the fixed minimum time between game turns.l

 

[unmerged(48360)]

Are you sure this is about the AI? Because it seems to be affecting some people (like myself) quite severely, while others not at all. And its not about whether you play high end systems or not either, if the "Doomsday performance issue" thread is anything to go by.