As it seems, the AI is hadicapped when it considers an exploration / colonization issue.
There is a complicated function for counting distance, range when the human player (you) makes his choices. When it comes to the AI players, though, the program uses a simplified subroutine:
- it chooses the shorter coordinate from the x,y (difference from point A to B) and halves it (rounded down)
- and counts: distance_A_B = x + 1/2y
(or vice versa, if x is the shorter one)
This function is called numerous times, when considering what is out of range, what is colonizable etc. When looking at the above graph made by sargon0, it is evident that the distance is 1 point shorter for angles around 30 and 60 degrees and for the slipstream. The AI fleets cannot fly to the stars you could have reached, being at the same point!
Note: The actual ship movement is done by the complicated function for both you and the AI. So the AI could reach the distant star in, let's say, 5 years, but it will never try, even if has the 5-range tech.
There is a complicated function for counting distance, range when the human player (you) makes his choices. When it comes to the AI players, though, the program uses a simplified subroutine:
- it chooses the shorter coordinate from the x,y (difference from point A to B) and halves it (rounded down)
- and counts: distance_A_B = x + 1/2y
(or vice versa, if x is the shorter one)
This function is called numerous times, when considering what is out of range, what is colonizable etc. When looking at the above graph made by sargon0, it is evident that the distance is 1 point shorter for angles around 30 and 60 degrees and for the slipstream. The AI fleets cannot fly to the stars you could have reached, being at the same point!
Note: The actual ship movement is done by the complicated function for both you and the AI. So the AI could reach the distant star in, let's say, 5 years, but it will never try, even if has the 5-range tech.