ChrisOelmueller/uh-issues — Issue #39: Improve the collectors' algorithm
Author: ChrisOelmueller
Created: 2012-02-27 00:49:44+00:00
State: open

The algorithm used by the collectors could be improved by implementing any or all of the following:
* collect as much as possible: if the collector is sent out to get 1 ton and another ton gets ready and he can carry 2 tons then make him do it.
* the collector shouldn't go outside its range (currently it is possible as long as the target is inside the range)
* collect from high priority locations first:
* higher priority if the building would otherwise stop production
* higher priority if the building is closer
* higher priority if the resource would not get collected otherwise
* lower priority if the resource is in range of a more specialized collector (for example a weaver is more specialized than a storage tent)

Improving the algorithm is important because it makes the game less fun when you have to "improve" the road network by removing some parts of it just to make the collectors behave reasonably. It would also reduce the number of necessary collectors.