Newbie needs help: Running out of funds!

from Stardock Forums
Hey guys I am new to GalCiv and 4x games in general. I am having trouble with running out of money once I get a few planets going. I get the message saying it is halting my projects until I can get more cash flow. My bank is in the negatives, and I make negative money per turn. Can anyone give me a hand as to how to fix this or avoid the problem in general?

Thanks!
2,839 views 8 replies
Reply #1 from Stardock Forums Top
Read the forum. There are many, many examples of what you should and should not be doing.
I know it's not a direct answer, but there are too many to give a summary here.

~SDC~
Reply #2 from Stardock Forums Top
Your question is hard to answer without knowing the level you are playing but the answer is probably research tech and trade/sell it. Here is link that helped me greatly http://www.orionsector.com/pages/galciv/downloads/The_Unofficial_GalCiv_Strategy_Guide_v1_0.pdf

Good luck. :)

Rick
Elemental: Reforged
Reply #3 from Stardock Forums Top
I am playing on easy difficulty. I am still new to these type of games. I'll have a look at that link thanks!
Reply #4 from Stardock Forums Top
Joe, you need to reduce your spending such that your cashflow is positive, else you will get into those economy shutdown problems. The strat guide is very useful. You should learn how to grow your income (eg through trade and/or tribute).

~SDC~
Reply #5 from Stardock Forums Top
I may change my strat i the future, but for now I don't worry that much when I go below -500BC. Usually the shutdown only lasts for a few turns. I will put spending at about 10% while it recovers. most of the time it only takes 4 or 5 turns and I am back in the green. I tend to have this happen about 3 times per game. It really don't slow me down that much.
Reply #6 from Stardock Forums Top
I will put spending at about 10% while it recovers.
End of quote


When you are below -500, your spending is 0 whatever the slider says. You just can't produce anything until you're back in the greener area above -500. It's always a waste to be below -500, you should never get there unless you desperately need to buy something (like war between your neighbours or maybe a Wonder/TG).
Reply #7 from Stardock Forums Top
When you are below -500, your spending is 0 whatever the slider says.
End of quote


I know that. I am talking about the period time it takes to get from -499 to +1 (+whatever). When below the -500 mark, you can stil set the slider to 10%, to take effect as soon as you get to the -499 mark. Most of the time, I will put it down to 10% before I get that deep in the hole.

Besides, the tone of my original post was more along the lines of "don't worry about it", not "this is how to fix it". 500 BC is not that hard to raise (and I am not talking about cheezing the AI either). :)
Reply #8 from Stardock Forums Top
Joe, the forums and the strat guide are the way to go. Also, you have to manage the tax and spending sliders. I was just building everything and not paying attention to what maint. was costing me - nearly ate me alive. I kept wondering why I never got anywhere. First lesson: you don't have to build everything. Check your spending slider frequently (I know it's a pain, but the game is easier if you do.) Next lesson: research trade and send freighter from your highest population planet to the highest pop. planets of the other civ's.
You'll be alright.