GalCiv 1.09: Expanded Universe Beta 1

from Stardock Forums

If you have Drengin.net, you can now get the beta of the expansion pack. When the expansion pack is completed (late summer) it'll be available to all GalCiv players. If you want to upgrade to Drengin.net click on the purchase button the left and go to the bottom to upgrade.

Here's what's new:

Expanded Universe Beta 1 (1.09): July 1, 2003
New Features:

+Explored Star List - You can now keep track of stars you've explored but haven't colonized.
+ Search star feature
+Rally Points Creator. From the main screen, top right button, you can create a rally point on the map.
+Rally Point Planet Screen. On the planet screen you can then have ships go to the rally points you previously created.
+Rally points can be renamed.
+Rally Points can give orders to ships once they reach the rally point.
+Rally Point Order: Create Fleet
+Rally Point Order: Attack nearyb ships
+Rally Point Order: Hold position (default)
+Dotted Sector Lines
+Locked Sliders On Domestic Economic screen
+Obsolete Button on Governor Screen - you can now make units obsolete
+Planet screen obfeys obsolete list. I.e. old ships can be hidden away.
+Tech Tree Navigator. You can navigate through the tech tree seeing what each one does and what they lead to.
+Hyper link integration throughout the UI. You can right-click on a hyperlinked item to open up the tech navigator.
+Hyperlinking integrated into the Diplomacy screen.
+Trade Routes button on Foreign Stats Screen
+Wrapped text listboxes on trade screen
+Star Destroyed Explosion
+Completely re-rendered graphics for the stars
+Several new anomalies complete with new graphics+
+Diplomacy Screen now has hyperlink properties for ships (will bring up a map showing where they are and what they do).
+ Hyperlinking in diplomacy screen for star systems that will bring up a mini dialog showing info on that system and where it is located visually.
+ Trade Embaro is in (AI support not implemented yet).
+ Several new random events added complete with new graphics.
+ Tons of little tweaks, fixes, changes, performance tweaks, etc.

6,197 views 60 replies
Reply #2 from Stardock Forums Top
wow, I have to say at first look these features are awesome:
tech navigator
hyperlinking especially in diplo screen
locks
obsolete button
rally points

will have to wait for the general release though to check out all the little tweaks
Offworld Trading Company
Reply #3 from Stardock Forums Top

It would be too time consuming to seperate what is in the expansion pack and what is just a tweak.

Reply #4 from Stardock Forums Top
Great job, guys!

Looks very, very stable for a first beta (played about 30 mins on a small map).

Oh, I LOVE rally points! :D

Great job on the new graphics too!
Reply #6 from Stardock Forums Top
Oh yeah! Downloading it right now and will be playing it this weekend!
Reply #7 from Stardock Forums Top
YEA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Reply #8 from Stardock Forums Top
Wow, this is so awesome. I'm so glad I upgraded to Drengin.net!

Totally worth it!
Reply #9 from Stardock Forums Top
Oh my god....

Brad you are the spawn of satan...

I was going to spend the weekend with my wife, now i'll be thinking about GalCiv all weekend.

evil evil man.....I love you :)

Looks very impressive, with a ton of things that made me say "Thank you!!" especially the hyperlinking.

I dont suppose there is a more solid answer for a release date other than (late summer) is there?



~SDC~
Reply #10 from Stardock Forums Top
*falls and kisses Frogboy's webbed feet*
Reply #13 from Stardock Forums Top
Not even a screenshot for us losers who have no more cash to spare?

~SDC~
Reply #14 from Stardock Forums Top
Yeah, I also thought they should do screenshots to show off those pretty stars.
Reply #15 from Stardock Forums Top
http://ethermage.net:800/~codemage/Trade%20Master.jpg

There're a couple of the new stars. Oh, and a bunch of Trade Centers. I set a rally point for all my constructors (visible) right between 2 sectors, and sent them from there in sets of 4 to make Trade Centers as they arrived. There're 6 trade routes between my nearest planet (just off the screen to the left) and the Arcean worlds. When I established the trade routes, they only had those two, but then the Torians surrendered to them. Of course, this strategy has a consequence for their economy as well, as the economy graph shows.

Oh, and that's served out of my cable connection, so I may have to take it down if too many people try and get it at once.

-EtherMage


~SDC~
Reply #16 from Stardock Forums Top
Thanks Ethermage! Wow, look at those blooms of trade centres.
Reply #17 from Stardock Forums Top
Will this magical expansion cost me an arm and a leg?
Reply #18 from Stardock Forums Top
Astax: once it's complete it will be available for free download to all GalCiv purchasers on SDC. Trying the beta now is a perk of a Drengin.net subscription, which you can purchase for $30 if you already own GalCiv. In addition to getting access to the beta, you get all their other games.

-EtherMage


~SDC~
Reply #19 from Stardock Forums Top
Ummm, one huge question for the Frogboy.

On the Diplo screen, does it show location and properties for all enemy ships??? Or does it only for the ones that are in your sensor range and not ones under the fog of war?

Actually, it's open to everyone that has tried it, but keep in mind:

Currently the fog of war does not hide any of the ships parked in orbit. If the diplo screen reveals location of all ships, espionage spending will be rendered almost useless as well as advanced scouting. Who needs that data if you know the positioning of every single ship in the enemy armada?
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Reply #20 from Stardock Forums Top
Not to say its correct. But, hasn't it always been that way? I can recall selecting enemy colonies, in the fog of war, and seeing what kind of ships were orbiting the planet. It doesn't appear to be old data either. This also applies to minor colonies. I'm not complaining, I like looking in to see what I need. I'm just pointing out that this has nothing to do with the expansion.


~SDC~
Reply #21 from Stardock Forums Top
No. Ships not orbiting planets were shrouded in the fog of war. You, for example, would not be able to see a fleet of incoming transports until they were in range to attack you. Nor would you be able to see their entire fleet in transit between planets.

The diplo screen threatens to reveal everything. Now, I am guessing the position of their fleet or using advance scouting. With new options offered by the diplo screen, I'll know where every ship they owned is positioned without cost. I mean I wouldn't mind checking out positioning for my allies, but against the non-allies and enemies, that should be secure information.

edited for punctuation
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Reply #22 from Stardock Forums Top
*sigh* I already own both Galactic Civilizations AND The Coroporate Machine. As much as I'd love to check out the beta, I can't justify $30 for additional titles that I will never play just to get a peek at it.

Given the cumulative price of the games that I have already purchased, a more appropriate discount for Drengin.net would've been nice, especially since I'd opt out of the other titles in the package anyway.

S'pose I'll have to content myself with experiencing the new features vicariously through the posts here. Keep 'em coming!

~SDC~
Reply #23 from Stardock Forums Top
Should the expansion pac show up in software >> drengin.net >> Galciv? Cause i can't find anywhere to download/install it.
Oops found it! (forgot to register for drengin.net)

Maso
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Reply #24 from Stardock Forums Top
Looks great so far. A few suprises and new twists when a person finds space junk or anomolies.

Great work. Keeps the game new and exiting.
Reply #25 from Stardock Forums Top
After one game with the beta, I can't see how I ever played without rally points! The are a huge timesaver!