No Game Left Behind: Stardock Brings Update to GalCiv II!

v2.20 improves AI, Balance, and Gameplay

from GalCiv2 Forums

 

The crew here at Stardock cares a lot about our community and the games that we produce for you.

That's why we're pleased to announce that version 2.20 for Galactic Civilizations II
is available for you today! 

Even when a title is "finished" and put out to market, there are always little things we find that could use a tweak or a change here and there. We also know what it's like to enjoy an old game so much that you keep going back to it, even when there are newer and "better" versions of it out there. 

With help of some awesome community members, the Dev Team has taken all of the suggestions and implemented them into this update. You can find he entire change log (spoiler alert: it's long!) at the bottom of this post.

 

A few words from our CEO and President, Brad Wardell:

"It was awesome being able to work with the fans to integrate years of their own mods and tweaks into the base game. They also gave me a long list of areas where they thought I could improve the AI, which I used to dig into the now 10 year old AI source code base to implement."


We hope you enjoy the update. We have an awesome community here at Stardock and are so very happy that you're a part of it. Have a great holiday season!


Special Thanks

To Antonio "Mabus" Invernizzi, Gaunathor, SilasOfBorg, Kamil "OShee" Bober, DARCA1213, Sam "MarvinKosh" Edwards. Steffem "Maiden666" Jenter, MarvinKosh, Leiavoia, Frogboy and everyone else who helped out!


GC2-ai GC2-combat GC2-diplomacy
GC2-invasion GC2-ship GC2-strategic

Version 2.20 Change Log

[ Gameplay ]

  • General
    • The Capital now increases Morale to 35 (up from 25) and Economy to 25 (up from 10)
    • Advanced Hulls is now unlocked from Basic Logistics
    • Life Support is now unlocked from Advanced Hulls
    • Several techs moved to improve AI use
    • Mind Control Center moved to Concept of Malice
    • Shrine of the Mithrillar now gives a 10% population growth bonus civ-wide
    • Shrine of Tandis now gives a 10% morale bonus civ-wide
    • Information Warfare tech now requires Advanced Diplomacy (instead of Planetary Invasion)
    • Temporal Mechanics cost increased from 10 to 30
    • Hyperion Packages cost increased from 10 to 30
    • Entertainment Center now requires Innovative History
    • Slave Pits, Slave Labs, Collectives and Maintenance Grid have had their costs adjusted
    • Research Matrix bonus decreased from 12 to 10
    • School maintenance increased from 1 to 2
    • University maintenance increased from 2 to 3
    • Space Weapons no longer grants a Military bonus
    • Economic Direction Unit bonus reduced from 50 to 25
    • Ultra Spices now requires Extreme Entertainment instead of Xeno Cultural Trends
    • Merchant Trade Complexes cost increased from 800 to 1100
    • Buffed Tier 1/2 starbase attack modules and battlestations 4; removed Singularity Armor
    • Neutrality Learning Center cost increased from 500 to 1000
    • Cultural Enlightenment no longer has a pre-req; moved to Pure Research
    • Healing Pools now requires Planetary Improvements; cost decreased from 300 to 100
    • Nano Materials now requires Basic Space Construction
    • Advanced Philosophy now requires University
    • Enhanced Adaptation cost increased to 150/450/600
    • Robust Hull Construction now provides 15 HP (up from 10)
    • Precursor Library cost decreased from 400 to 100
    • Miniaturization techs bonuses updated to be better
    • Empathic Tactical Center now grants a defense bonus of 25% instead of an attack bonus of 20%
    • Various weapons rebalancing
    • Plus much much more adjustments. See the Progressive Changelog for more.
  • Terran Alliance
    • Changed default alignment from 50 to 75
    • Now start as Mercantile political party
    • Starts with +10 Economics, -10 Social Production, +25 Trade and 12 Logistics (up from 6)
    • Starting techs changed to: HyperDrive, Industrial Revolution, Fusion Reactors, Traditional Research, Innovative History, Capitalism and Basic Space Construction
    • Terrains gain a 10% bonus to propulsion and diplomacy research
  • Drengin Empire
    • Now starts game as War Party political party
    • Starts with: +10 Military Production, -30 Diplomacy (increased from -25), 20 Loyalty (up from 0) and 14 Logistics (up from 7)
    • Starting techs changed to: Fusion Reactors, Ruthless History, HyperDrive, Stellar Cartography, Specialized Research, Capitalism and Traditional Slavery.
    • Propaganda Machine is now a special project
    • New invasion tactic added (version of Information Warfare)
    • Drengin suffer a 50% penalty to trade techs; and a 100% penalty to diplomatic techs
  • Altarian Resistance
    • Now starts game as Pacifists political party
    • Starts with: +10 Luck (up from 0), 10 Logistics (up from 5)
    • Starting techs changed to: HyperDrive, Industrial Revolution, Fusion Reactors, Traditional Research, A History of Benevolence, Stellar Cartography, Capitalism and Basic Space Construction.
    • Social Matrix is now a special project
    • Altarians gain a 20% bonus in Labs research
  • Arcean Empire
    • Now starts game as War Party political party
    • Starts with: +10 Economics, +10 Morale, +20 Military Production, +30 Ship HP (up from +20), +20 Soldiering (up from +10), +25 Courage, +20 Loyalty and 20 Logistics (up from 8).
    • Starting techs changed to: Glorious History, Fusion Reactors, HyperDrive, Industrial Revolution, Stellar Cartography, Traditional Research, Capitalism and Basic Space Construction.
    • Stellar Forge and Cathedral of Valor are now special projects
    • Arceans now gain a 20% bonus to Hull and Logistics research
    • Arceans now gain:
      • 15 HP from Superior Hulls (up from 10)
      • 20 HP from Master Hull Building (up from 15)
      • 15 HP from Reinforced Hull Design (up from 10)
      • 15 HP from Hardened Hull Design (up from 10)
  • Torian Confederation
    • Now starts as the Populists political party
    • Starts with: +30 Loyalty, 16 Logistics (up from 8)
    • Starting techs changed to: Torian History, Fusion Reactors, HyperDrive, Stellar Cartography, Inherited Technology, Capitalism and Basic Space Construction.
    • Can now research Advanced Aquatic World Colonization cheaper
    • Aquatic Transport Station is now a special project
    • Torians now suffer a 20% penalty to Hull research
    • Changed Advanced Computing requirement to University (from Scientific Method Implementation)
    • Changed Planetary Improvements and Enhanced Adaptation to require Basic Space Construction
    • Added Basic Space Construction with cost 75
    • Xeno Communications now requires Cultural Enlightenment
  • Yor Collective
    • Now starts game as the Industrialist political party
    • Starts with: -30 to Diplomacy and 12 Logistics (up from 6)
    • Maintenance Grid and Distributed Energy Matrix are now special projects
    • New invasion tactic: Terror Drones (Cost 250, 20% bonus to attack, 25% improvement damage)
    • Yor now can a 20% advantage in Labs research
  • Dominion of Korx
    • Now starts as the Mercantile political party
    • Starts with: +15 Economics, +10 Diplomacy and 12 Logistics (up from 6)
    • Starting techs changed to: A History of Mercantilism, HyperDrive, Stellar Cartography, Industrial Revolution, Fusion Reactors, Traditional Research, Capitalism and Basic Space Construction.
    • Festival of Capitalism, Mercenary Academy and Freighter Command are now special projects
    • Korx gain a 20% bonus to economic research
  • Drath Legion
    • Changed default alignment from 75 to 50
    • Now starts as the Populists political party
    • Starts with: +25 Espionage (up from 0) and 16 Logistics (up from 8)
    • Starting techs changed to: Way of the Drath, Industrial Revolution, Basic Space Construction, HyperDrive, Fusion Reactors, Traditional Research, Stellar Cartography and Capitalism.
    • Drath gain a 20% bonus to diplomatic research
  • Thalan Empire
    • Now starts as the Technologists political party
    • Starts with: -50 Population Growth (increased from -30), +40 Loyalty and 12 Logistics (up from 6)
    • Starting techs changed to: Fusion Reactors, HyperDrive, Stellar Cartography, New Propulsion, Artificial Gravity, Xeno Biology, Xeno Medicine, Xeno Engineering, Hyperion Packages, Temporal Mechanics and Interstellar Construction.
    • Gaia Vortex and Church of Valor are now special projects
    • New invasion tactic: Mechanized Warriors (Cost 250, 50%/90% min/max bonus to attack, 100% improvement damage)
    • Thalan suffer a 50% penalty to trade and diplomatic research
  • Iconian Refuge
    • Now starts as the Federalists political party
    • Starts with: +10 Morale (decreased from 20), +20 Research, 0 Espionage (decreased from 100), -5 Soldiering (decreased from 0) and 16 Logistics (up from 10)
    • Precursor Library is now a special project
    • Expert Engineering is now unlocked after Advanced Hulls
    • Soil Enhancement, Xeno Biology and Space Mining moved to the Enhanced Adaptation tree
    • Iconians gain a 20% bonus to terraforming research
  • Korath Clan
    • Now starts game as War Party political party
    • Starts with: -30 Diplomacy (decreased from 0), +10 HP (decreased from 20), +30 Soldiering (increased from 10) and 14 Logistics (increased from 7)
    • Starting techs changed to: Fusion Reactors, Ruthless History, HyperDrive, Stellar Cartography, Specialized Research, Traditional Slavery and Black Market.
    • Graft of Ages is now a special project
    • New invasion tactic added (version of Information Warfare)
    • Korath suffer a 50% penalty to trade techs and a 200% penalty to diplomacy research
  • Krynn Consulate
    • Now starts as the Universalists political party
    • Starts with: -15 Research (decreased from 0) and 12 Logistics (increased from 6)
    • Starting techs changed to: HyperDrive, Industrial Revolution, Basic Space Construction, Fusion Reactors, Traditional Research, The Path, Stellar Cartography, and Capitalism.
    • Super Spy Training Center, Temple of Espionage, and Oracle of Krynn are now special projects.
    • Krynn suffer a 20% penalty to labs research but gain a 20% bonus to government research
  • Minor Races
    • Changes to various minor races that play more into their background lore. Watch out for the Snathi!

[ Graphics ]

  • Updated race colors for Iconian Refuge and Krynn Consulate
  • Improved Rally Point indicator
  • Various UI tweaks

[ AI ]

  • Each race's AI has been tuned to better match their background lore and relative strengths
  • All AI opponents will now use the maximum amount of CPU possible
957,946 views 224 replies
Reply #1 from GalCiv2 Forums Top

I can't figure out how to download the update, please advise.

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Reply #2 from GalCiv2 Forums Top

Yes, how do we update our game if we bought it in a retail box?  I have my code but none of the links provided are intuitive. 

SoundPackager - Customize the Windows sound scheme
Reply #3 from GalCiv2 Forums Top

I can't find new version either  is it automatic ?- i would like the update and what are the requirements ? is xp still valid ?

Reply #5 from GalCiv2 Forums Top

I logged in on Stardock website, but GalCiv 2 download link show v.2.04.0 not 2.20 ??

I use Windows 8.1n and I have GalCiv 1, GalCiv 2, and SOSE Trinity, through GameStop. But there is not update through GameStop. Should I use the patch from the Stardock website on Gamestop install ?

Reply #6 from GalCiv2 Forums Top

I have same problem as previous posters. My Downloads page has only download for GalCiv II: Ultimate Edition (Download + Retail Box) version 2.04.0 or more precisely it gives download link for GalCiv2_Ultimate_setup_2.04.017.exe

Also is there some way to activate my key in Steam?

Reply #7 from GalCiv2 Forums Top

This is... unexpected. I thought we would still keep working on the beta-update. o_O

Reply #8 from GalCiv2 Forums Top

  Do you have the game in Steam?  I looked in the links the Email provided and like most of you found only the 2.04 version listed available for download.

   When I went into Steam I saw that it was downloading the update (I don't normally keep Steam running on this machine) and when I got the message saying it was ready and clicked "play" I saw that V 2.20 was showing in the lower left corner of the menu screen.

  So I guess if you have Galciv on your Steam account check there.

Reply #9 from GalCiv2 Forums Top

Is the Culture/Influence-on-load issue resolved? I didn't see it in the list and I don't know where the Progressive Changelog is located.

    - Niilo

Reply #10 from GalCiv2 Forums Top

Quoting ElerondElesaidin, reply 6

I have same problem as previous posters. My Downloads page has only download for GalCiv II: Ultimate Edition (Download + Retail Box) version 2.04.0 or more precisely it gives download link for GalCiv2_Ultimate_setup_2.04.017.exe

Also is there some way to activate my key in Steam?

 

Exactly the same situation here. No patch available in "My downloads" from Stardock account. Only 2.04 download.

BTW, big big thanks to all the contributors for this patch. It's an awesome work, mates.

 

Edit: Nope. I've not an Steam version of the game (I don't know if I can register my copy neither there nor GOG). I've a DVD release and a GC2-UE serial from Impulse (before the client was sold to Gamestop).

Reply #11 from GalCiv2 Forums Top

Yeah, I don"t have it via Steam either. My account in the stardock store only gives me the 2.04 files.

Reply #12 from GalCiv3 Forums Top

Quoting vorshlumpf, reply 9

Is the Culture/Influence-on-load issue resolved? I didn't see it in the list and I don't know where the Progressive Changelog is located.

No, it is not. We (i.e. the GalCiv 2 modding-community) did not have access to the source-code. As for the Progressive Changelog, it's located in the root-folder of the game. However, it only lists the changes made since version 4.10 of the Community Update.

Reply #13 from GalCiv2 Forums Top

I bought this game, and all the expansions, directly from Stardock when they came out. Thus all the updates were originally done through Stardock Central or Impulse. When I login to my account at Stardock.com, I can download 1.53, 2.01 (Dark Avatar), and 2.04 (Arnor). How do I get the update since my copy isn't the packaged "Ultimate" version, or the Steam one? My game shouldn't be left behind either!

-HM

Reply #14 from GalCiv2 Forums Top

Quoting SCampos, reply 10

Edit: Nope. I've not an Steam version of the game (I don't know if I can register my copy neither there nor GOG). I've a DVD release and a GC2-UE serial from Impulse (before the client was sold to Gamestop).

  I had to look around, but found out through my purchase history in Steam that I bought the Galciv I & II ultimate Steam pack back in December of 2012 when they had a 75% off sale on it.   It only cost me $6.24!!   Even though I already had the PC discs it was just too cheap to pass up.

  There are a couple ways to get games into Steam.   One basically just makes a shortcut to your existing game, but no updates through Steam that way.   There is also another way using a command line switch to Steam that allows you to install the game using your discs.   Not sure if that one will give you Steam internal upgrade abilities or not.

  Anyway, good luck.   I hope all of you find a way to get the update.

Reply #15 from GalCiv2 Forums Top

Those ways won't get us the game through Steam through an actual Steam key, which right now appears to be the only way to get the update. Yeah, it's been on good Steam sales before, but since GalCiv2 was one of the games that continued to work well on modern computers, I never felt the need to buy it again.

I have faith though that Stardock will come through for us. They know they have tons of old customers who bought the game when they were against DRM solutions like Steam. I'd like to think we're actually a priority...

-HM

Reply #16 from Stardock Forums Top

Same problem here. Game was purchased directly through Stardock. "My Downloads" page links only the installer for the same version I already had, 2.04 and not the update. Please fix this!

Reply #17 from GalCiv2 Forums Top

Quoting Gaunathor, reply 12

No, it is not. We (i.e. the GalCiv 2 modding-community) did not have access to the source-code. As for the Progressive Changelog, it's located in the root-folder of the game. However, it only lists the changes made since version 4.10 of the Community Update.

Aw, shucks. That one's a deal-breaker for me so I got my hopes up when I read today's announcement. Thanks for the quick response!

   - Niilo

Reply #18 from GalCiv2 Forums Top

 

I got an email to say the updated version was available on the downloads page, but it isnt

I guess they must not have put it up there yet

 

By the way if we own it on Stardock can we activate it on Steam?

Or do we have to buy it again to have it on Steam?

Reply #19 from GalCiv2 Forums Top

Good 'ol Stardock..

Make a big announcement about a new version, and then make sure it's NOT available for your customers to download.

I go into My Account --> My Downloads, and what do I see?  That's right - version 2.04.   Woooo...how exciting!

Seriously, Stardock...it's just A LINK TO A FILE.  How can you possibly mess that up???

If this was the first and only time, I wouldn't bother posting this.  But sadly, it's not.

It ALWAYS happens with Steam garbage.  GC3 is only available on Steam, so you're at Steam's mercy.  Every time Stardock announces that a new version is available, it's always two or three days before Steam finally lets me see it and download it.

Would it kill you guys over at Stardock to just let your paying customers download their files with a simple download link, like it USED to be done in the golden days when sanity and common sense prevailed?  If something isn't broken, why do people insist on trying to fix it?

Reply #20 from GalCiv2 Forums Top

Wow. Only a company like Stardock supports a 10 year old game! A big thank you to Stardock as well as the modders that made this happen.

Reply #21 from GalCiv2 Forums Top

So through your own StarDock software we can't get the download of yours - but people who are lucky enough to have the game via another download platform (Steam) can get the update!?

Great support.

Reply #22 from GalCiv2 Forums Top

Like many here, my "My Downloads" page gives the version: GalCiv2_Ultimate_setup_2.04.017.exe

And NO, I do NOT want to register my GalCiv2 on Steam for getting updates. No way.

 

So then I have to wait for Stardock to produce a Stardock file for version 2.20 ...

Reply #23 from Stardock Forums Top

Hello,

I own GC2, Dark Avatar, and Twilight as downloads from the My Account page.  When I originally bought all three of those (plus Sins of a Solar Empire) it was when Stardock actually owned the Impulse client and before Elemental forced its sale to keep the company afloat.  I also owned Titan Quest on Impulse.  Gamestop diddled around here and there with support for the rebranded Impluse and eventually they dropped it.  I lost completely Titan Quest.  Gone, not in my Stardock Account but in the Gamestop App and they shut it down.  Gone.  I have, although I shouldn't have, bought WindowFX and a new WindowBlinds directly from Stardock since.  I don't have them installed right now, compatibility, but that's another story.  To get to the point of this reply: I don't care if I get the new patch at all.  Either through the Account page or issued a Steam product key.  I'm beyond caring.  However, I'm already set against investing any more money in Stardock as I have been burned (I actually did not buy GC3 because of the bad taste I had) so whatever happens now will either set never spending a penny again with Stardock - in the case of not getting this update - or just keeping the "probably won't spend another penny but will accept a patch for the game I still have as in balance for losing Titan Quest."

Sincerely,

Bill.

 

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Reply #24 from GalCiv2 Forums Top

Quoting matrix_v, reply 20

Wow. Only a company like Stardock supports a 10 year old game! A big thank you to Stardock as well as the modders that made this happen.

I know that Paradox (hearts of Iron, Europa Universalis, etc) has the same spirit...

To be honest, I also don't know if there are more like them on this planet... at least, with a rather large fan base. So few that it is good to pinpoint them, and give them a thumb up.

 

 

Reply #25 from GalCiv2 Forums Top

I look forward to the update becoming available on Stardock's site.