FransBots 20260122!

[JimmyS]

If anyone interested, here is latest version for release-20250330 (from first post), and also modified files from playtest-20260222 (I cant wait . Please note, the playtest is just hacked workaround, to have them in the game, new engine needs to be (and I am sure it will be) inspected by bots author, and for full experience I am suggesting to use that version, when will be released.

Backups of original files are included, to have easier work with enabling/disabling mod, future engine updates, and smoother comparation with original files.

Also I differentiated engines in package, as I do think the paralel game instances are quite common (at least in my bubble)

Currently I am looking also for version, suitable for release-20231010 (which is last release, which supports older OpenGL) for archive/compatibility reasons

[JimmyS]

Fransbots 20260101

Download fransbots20260122 and extract. Go to your OpenRa mod installation directory like "C:\Program Files\OpenRA\mods". Drag or copy the "ra" folder from fransbots and replace the files in side the original RA folder. If done correct you will be greeted in the lobby with a description of each Fransbot.

I think there is some issue with visibility. I dont know the exact list of units/buildings doin that, but franbots have wrong visibility:

[fransotto]

Fransbots 20260101

Download fransbots20260122 and extract. Go to your OpenRa mod installation directory like "C:\Program Files\OpenRA\mods". Drag or copy the "ra" folder from fransbots and replace the files in side the original RA folder. If done correct you will be greeted in the lobby with a description of each Fransbot.

I think there is some issue with visibility. I dont know the exact list of units/buildings doin that, but franbots have wrong visibility:

Hi!

The visibility is the bots dedicated engineer for capturing (you can see it on the name).

The bots have two identical engineers, however one of them is dedicated for capture close by buildings like oil derricks and enemy buildings. Reason for this is that if the unit that is going to capture cannot see what to capture it will try capture something total random all other the map. By forcing it to capture within visibility range it will stay close to the main base or own units. As such I had to increase the visibility range of the engineer so it not become idle (or do kamikaze).

[fransotto]

If anyone interested, here is latest version for release-20250330 (from first post), and also modified files from playtest-20260222 (I cant wait . Please note, the playtest is just hacked workaround, to have them in the game, new engine needs to be (and I am sure it will be) inspected by bots author, and for full experience I am suggesting to use that version, when will be released.

Backups of original files are included, to have easier work with enabling/disabling mod, future engine updates, and smoother comparation with original files.

Also I differentiated engines in package, as I do think the paralel game instances are quite common (at least in my bubble)

Currently I am looking also for version, suitable for release-20231010 (which is last release, which supports older OpenGL) for archive/compatibility reasons

Hi! Great to see your work!

Yes, I am in heavy playtesting the "new" fransbots What I am struggling with is the bots (in)ability to protect new expansions. Also due to this new "expansion-module" the bots economic have to be slightly adjusted.

What I am mainly playing with is to have two different "basebuilding-modules", one for the "main base" and one for expansions, once I am satisfied I will release a version.

[JimmyS]

Hi!

The visibility is the bots dedicated engineer for capturing (you can see it on the name).

The bots have two identical engineers, however one of them is dedicated for capture close by buildings like oil derricks and enemy buildings. Reason for this is that if the unit that is going to capture cannot see what to capture it will try capture something total random all other the map. By forcing it to capture within visibility range it will stay close to the main base or own units. As such I had to increase the visibility range of the engineer so it not become idle (or do kamikaze).

Thanks for reply! So its only engineer unit, having such modified vision? And there is no other way around?

When you play against the bots, then such visibility affect (not only I guess) enemy artilery - ie., even without "eyes" he could attack from distance, isnt it? I mean, the part of artilerry balance is powerfull shots, but limited vision. When normal visibility is in play, you could attack Air or front units to at least make fog of war for enemy and counter artillery. I understand, that human players could shoot to the dark manually at blind.. I guess not all the time the engineer is present, but still..

Also when you play with bot in your team, it gives you not fair advantage to see such vast of surroundings...

[JimmyS]

I updated my post with packages, which contains more easy enable/disable scripts, to make easier installation / uninstallation of scripts

[makaronoteras]

Just another big THANK YOU and a bigger BRAVO for your continuous support!!!
Your clever (and vicious) bots are a great addition to the greatest RTS out there!

[fransotto]

Just another big THANK YOU and a bigger BRAVO for your continuous support!!!
Your clever (and vicious) bots are a great addition to the greatest RTS out there!

Thanks a lot.

I am still testing around the fransbots with the latest dev-version. What I am trying to do is to split the base building for the bots so they dont start build important building close to the enemy -like tech centers etc. Also the airunits need some slight modifications.

I am almost satisfied.

[Zugal]

For those that are using the AppImage on Linux, here are some steps to get this mod working.


1. Create a new directory to put everything

Code: Select all

mkdir ~/OpenRA

2. Download the Fransbot and unpack it to the created OpenRA Directory

Code: Select all

unzip ~/Downloads/ra-fransbots-release-20250330.zip -d ~/OpenRA

3. Download AppImage of OpenRA-RedAlert and Extract it (Downloaded from OpenRA website)

Code: Select all

mv ~/Downloads/OpenRA-Red-Alert-x86_64.AppImage ~/OpenRA
cd ~/OpenRA
./OpenRA-Red-Alert-x86_64.AppImage --appimage-extract

This will produce a folder `squashfs-root/` in the current directory

4. Create Two Scripts, One to enable one to disable fransbot

Enable (enable_fransbot.sh)

Code: Select all

#!/usr/bin/env bashi
OPEN_RA_DIR=~/OpenRA
MODRA="$OPEN_RA_DIR/squashfs-root/usr/lib/openra/mods/ra"
rsync -a "$OPEN_RA_DIR/fransbots/ON/mods/ra/" "$MODRA/"
echo "FransBots enabled."

Disable (disable_fransbot.sh)

Code: Select all

#!/usr/bin/env bashi
OPEN_RA_DIR=~/OpenRA
MODRA="$OPEN_RA_DIR/squashfs-root/usr/lib/openra/mods/ra"
rsync -a "$OPEN_RA_DIR/fransbots/OFF/mods/ra/" "$MODRA/"
echo "FransBots enabled."

Enable and Disable the mod by using the two scripts.

Then to run the game

Code: Select all

~/OpenRA/squashfs-root/AppRun

Hope this helps anyone that was struggling getting this working on Linux

-Z