Metaverse Cheat Flag

from GalCiv2 Forums
I'm just finished a game, (Patch 1.31) and it got flagged for cheating. Which I did not do- (the graphic tweaking I did with the ships has not caused such a flag in 3 trail runs, so I doubt that did it)
The game did become unstable at the point where I punked the Torians out of all there money and IP points when I signed a peace treaty leaving them with just one planet. The game would crash going into the next turn, so I in the end, I had to reload and kill them off to make it into the next week-
Other then the crash I had to spend a day navigating around- the game proceeded. So the focus of my question I suppose is this;

1. Is there anyway to determine what caused or was the causes of the flag being tipped?

2. Is there somewhere that I can read on *what* exactly causes the flags to tip?

3. Is there anyway to appeal a flag being tipped? (I suppose that question can only be answered by the dev's)

Thanks for any answers-
metaverse
8,339 views 10 replies
Reply #1 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
you can look at "Answers to questions about the Metaverse" forum to read about what causes the flag to appear

and even if you think it's not right and it's a mistake, you can't do anything about it, you can only delete your metaverse score and the game with the flag with it. so you can move on or delete. and in 1.3, I think there is a window that tells you if your game is gonna be flagged right?

Reply #2 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Thanks for the answer Master U;

you can look at "Answers to questions about the Metaverse" forum to read about what causes the flag to appear


That I did, but the answer is not very indepth- Such as *what* causes the flag to tip - Tried to search for more on the subject but came up with a big 'zilch' which is why I asked the question. I suppose I can do another trail run, and see if the flag pops up-
and then make the proper adjustments
Star Control: Origins
Reply #3 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Polarpawn, did you get the popup warning you that you had an invalid race config? If you did, you need to hit the Clear button so that it restores the race to the default configuration and then make whatever changes you want.
Reply #4 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Wow- CariElf, the Galciv2 Goddess- I'm humbled... I just want to say personaly, I love the game- you and the crew are going to replace Sid Meier in the near future- I've even put money on it

Nope- I sure didn't- Thou I did play with a custom race, I did clear all stats before I set them. I belive what ever tripped the flag did so during game play - thou I'm not sure...
Reply #5 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Just reloaded the game before the massive crash I had to work around and retired, bummer that I only got 3,300 points for the game but it didn't throw the cheat flag- Bummer that I can't post the game where I got 50,000ish- *Scracthes head*, I suppose I'll have to send you the save file, if you hit (Turn) with out killing off the torians I belive, the game well crash
Reply #6 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
mmm... maybe something else caused it to appear?

EDIT:

ops, you replied, it was before you said it's ok you post seconds before me lol
Reply #7 from GalCiv2 Forums Top

ops, you replied, it was before you said it's ok you post seconds before me lol


lol- I hate it when that happens! Thou if anyone could explain to me what the heck causes the flag to trip, besides saying "when game data is modified" (doesn't simply playing the game cause data modification?) I would appreciate it- Such as;

If I save the game 4,000 times does that trip the flag?
If I retire 1,000 times and reload does that trip the flag?
If I use cargo hulls to make my main combat ships, does that trip the flag? (Or just the bad idea one?)

I'd just really like to know what the nuances are that cause the flag to tip-

Reply #8 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
File checksums and time stamps for selected files, that's what the cheat flag tests. If for some odd reason, your operating system changes a time stamp on one of those files, it will trip the flag. The only solution is to reload the game so all time stamps return to their original date. Changing the contents of one of those files will trip the flag. Again, reload the game.

That message regarding the invalid raceconfig is an excellent addition. Thanks for that CariElf. Now, if that could be extended to cover all cheat flag conditions, that would be the ticket.

Reply #9 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
I don't know if this is the case here, but in some cases it would not be advisable for the game developers to inform the public of what exactly causes the "cheater alarm" to sound because it will aid unscrupulous players in devising a means to get around the cheating safegaurds.

Some things are better left unsaid! Loose lips sink ships! Lol =-)
Reply #10 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
but in some cases it would not be advisable for the game developers to inform the public of what exactly causes the "cheater alarm" to sound because it will aid unscrupulous players in devising a means to get around the cheating safegaurds.


While, that maybe true in some cases, I think it would be quite helpful if they'd give us a more detailed answer then; "Modifying Data" since at the most Basic level your modifying game data everytime you hit a key to move a ship or when you decide to rename them. (thou I know thats not what they ment) I just wish I could send my "End Save" in for review- sure is a bummer to have a 55,000 point game and have to settle for 3,200... Thanks for the most detailed answer I've gotten to my question CraigHB- I'll go give it a try