Scripted fights.

[Hulan]

While I don't really want to speak for or against scripting versus randomly generated patterns, this whole debate is predicated on a rather interesting aspect of MMO PvE design. That is, enemies in MMOs aren't trying to win. There is an extremely basic AI algorithm and data structure called a min/max tree that could be modified to make a dynamic two agent system (enemy vs. party) that would constantly adapt to the current flow of battle and be extremely unpredictable. It's not even difficult, anyone who has taken a single class in basic artificial intelligence would be familiar with the idea. It's how your computer Chess game works.

The reason why no one ever does it is simple. Classic MMO PvE isn't about the struggle between you and the enemy. The enemy isn't trying to win. The encounter presents you with a series of challenges, and tests your ability to overcome them.

I'm genuinly curious, so I will pose an open question - and please give this a few moments thought about what it would actually entail: Would you actually like an enemy (in PvE) that predicted your future moves; calculated the optimal response and executed the most efficient way to defeat the party? An enemy that given equal level with the party, would likely win more than half the time?

[xRitzx]

I'm genuinly curious, so I will pose an open question - and please give this a few moments thought about what it would actually entail: Would you actually like an enemy (in PvE) that predicted your future moves; calculated the optimal response and executed the most efficient way to defeat the party? An enemy that given equal level with the party, would likely win more than half the time?

There has never been anything in any game that I couldn't beat with enough time and effort. The only way you wouldn't win more than half the time if you know what you are doing is if the enemy is over powered. In ARR, over powered would be equivalent to something like tanks taking 5k damage every 2.5 seconds repeatedly.

I would like them to fix the lag problems (which I rarely have) first. Then yes, randomized battles would be welcomed to me. Given today's games, Demon's Souls and Dark Souls probably fit your description the best and I am awesome at those now even though I died several times when I learned the fight (hence why they have "Prepare to Die" edition Souls games).

[Bladenite81]

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Demon Souls line of gaming is not difficult, nor is it brutal, its indifferent and repetitive. Every creature has a routine and tells, you just have more fluid movement and options in those games. The NPCs are not trying to win, they are performing the same scripts, just the scripts for them are more intricate. I doubt people as a general rule would like enemies to have AI.

[xRitzx]

Demon Souls line of gaming is not difficult, nor is it brutal, its indifferent and repetitive. Every creature has a routine and tells, you just have more fluid movement and options in those games. The NPCs are not trying to win, they are performing the same scripts, just the scripts for them are more intricate. I doubt people as a general rule would like enemies to have AI.

I agree Demon's Souls is not difficult after you learn. While enemies in Demon's Souls have scripts, they are usually based on the environment situation. For example, if you are facing an NPC black phantom, they will simply hack and slash you. If you have your back to an NPC black phantom, they will back stab you. I only play a few games a year and the Souls series is the closest I know of to Hulan's description. No other current moderately-popular game has the difficult reputation that Souls games do even though their difficulty is only because of trial and error. Maybe there's some niche game or something that fits Hulan's description but are there any popular modern games that closely fit Hulan's description?

[Bladenite81]

No I do not believe there are any, honestly that is the thrill of PvP..playing against an opponent who truly wants to win and will do anything they know how to do in order to succeed. PvE would not last long as a general rule with such a punishing system in place, people would just leave.

[Tupsi]

No I do not believe there are any, honestly that is the thrill of PvP..playing against an opponent who truly wants to win and will do anything they know how to do in order to succeed. PvE would not last long as a general rule with such a punishing system in place, people would just leave.

That's the catch 22 - People say monsters don't "try to win", but if they try to win people ragequit because the monster did everything to win and thus want to be able to win no matter what.