1.21 and savegames

from Stardock Forums
Reading the history change from 1.21, I see that the data files (in Galciv/data and Galciv/mods/data directory) usable at the creation of a game are saved into the savegame and used when loadin the game, meaing that adding/altering files in these directories has no effect when loading a savegame game.
This feature is announced as being an anti-cheat feature. But I see other benefits from it:
- the savegame is self sufficient for playing the game, meaning that no longer are the files needed after creation. So the same savegame could be played on different computers with different mods installed without any negative impact. This will greatly help succession games where savegames are passed between persons, and also help Stardock when they receive games since there isn't any longer problem with missing mods to play correclty the savegame
- Since the savegame is self sufficient for improvement, tech, sbmodules .... the risks associated with updating Galciv whith a game not finished is greatly reduced since we won't see again the adding of two improvements that mess up completly savegame due to signification of ID different before and after the update.

Not sure if everyone have read the history and see this particular points and some associated effects.
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Reply #1 from Stardock Forums Top
Thanks Peace Phoenix - does it mean that I can upgrade GC to 1.21.099 (from 1.20.098) without waiting to finish my last game? (yes, the Drengins are still there)

It would be good... as I will benefit my office's fast connection... before going to vacation.

~SDC~
Reply #2 from Stardock Forums Top
Thanks Peace Phoenix - does it mean that I can upgrade GC to 1.21.099 (from 1.20.098) without waiting to finish my last game? (yes, the Drengins are still there)
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Nope. The game must have been created in 1.21 since only this version provided a self sufficient savegame.

But you can always create with SDC an archive of the version 1.20, download the version 1.21, create an archive of the version 1.21, then restore the archive corresponding to 1.20. So you will able to finish your game. Then you restore the archive corresponding to 1.21 and you will be able to play it.
Sins of a Solar Empire: Rebellion
Reply #3 from Stardock Forums Top
Also... as a rule (not just in this specific case 1.20->1.21)... save games created in a previous version may not compatible with the latest version. So it is alweays best to wait to finish a game before upgrading to a new version.
Reply #4 from Stardock Forums Top
Does the AP work the same way ?

Reply #5 from Stardock Forums Top
Does the AP work the same way ?
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I would guess that 1.51 AP work the same way. The better way to check it is to start a game with a political party from a mod, save the game, exit galciv, the remove the party from the mod folder, restart galciv, load the game and see it everything is right (ie you have your party and when election appears, your party can control the senate and you benefit from the party bonuses).
[Message Edited]
Reply #6 from Stardock Forums Top
Here is the history for 1.21
*** The save game format has been changed. ***
*** Finish your games before updating. ***

+ Compatibility changes to some of the data files for Altarian Prophecy
+ fixed mini-freighter crash
+ fixed stuck mini-freighter bug
+ fixed rallypoint image not restoring after loading save game
+ Save games now save definitions from the data files that were loaded when the game was created. This means that if you add or remove mods to either the mods folder or the Data folder, it will not affect your save game.
+ Save games that have been modified will set off the anomalous flag.
+ Fixed population bugs created by transports and colony ships.
+ Other miscellaneous fixes/tweaks.