The Drengin Council - Altarian Prophecy Beta

from Stardock Forums
The Council reconvenes for the Altarian Prophecy Beta that has just been released.

Put your comments, feedback, bug reports here for easy access by Stardock and also for the Drengin deprived to let them know what they are missing. ;)

~SDC~
601 views 31 replies
Reply #1 from Stardock Forums Top
Major bugs

dont click minor races buton before you meet any as this causes CTD. so does the Council screen pop up when you change type of gov if you accept changes
~SDC~

[Message Edited]
Reply #2 from Stardock Forums Top
Don't hit the minor races button after they're all been wiped out either.

I commented a bit in Cari's thread.
I love the option to have random galaxy size and planet habitability. Really great fun.
Elemental: Reforged
Reply #3 from Stardock Forums Top
yeah plus new graphics for minor races are graet too.
LDiCesare - have you found anything else new yet? (like missing majors :) )

~SDC~
Reply #4 from Stardock Forums Top
Observations of new stuff:

In the startup screen - galaxy settings, we have two new drop lists for custom map and custom rules. There are two custom maps and two custom rules in the beta.

The first map - Stronghold, is a 3 teams of 2 game with the human starting smack in the middle with more ships than normal. The second map - Council Ring, is also a 3 teams of 2 game but having all 6 races starting smack in the centre and within a couple of parsecs away from each other. Team games equates to a new relationship in the Diplo screen - "Team", not sure if that is breakable as yet.

Agree with LDiCesare. There is no description as to what the 2 custom rules (roundrobin and goodVSevil) entail. That would be very helpful.

As LDiCesare mentioned, random options for galaxy size, star density and habitability.

New pictures for Alexians and Carinoids. Checked Scotts and Kwails - no new pics yet.

~SDC~
Reply #5 from Stardock Forums Top
Smart Exception Report for the Minors screen CTD

OS Version : Windows XP
Video Card : ALL-IN-WONDER RADEON
Application Exception code: C0000005 ACCESS_VIOLATION
Crash Addr: 005E2B2B 01:001E1B2B D:\Program Files\Stardock\Drengin.net\AltarianProphecy\galciv.exe

Processor Registers (x86):
EAX:00000008
EBX:00000000
ECX:00000008
EDX:7EFEFEFF
ESI:005A9509
EDI:02A61E31
CS:EIP:001B:005E2B2B
SS:ESP:0023:0012FB8C EBP:0012FBF8
DS:0023 ES:0023 FS:003B GS:0000
Flags:00010246


Current Application Call Stack:

Addr Frame Logical addr Module Name
---------------------------------------------
005E2B2B 0012FBF8 0001:001E1B2B D:\Program Files\Stardock\Drengin.net\AltarianProphecy\galciv.exe
004503AA 0012FC10 0001:0004F3AA D:\Program Files\Stardock\Drengin.net\AltarianProphecy\galciv.exe
00451795 0012FC44 0001:00050795 D:\Program Files\Stardock\Drengin.net\AltarianProphecy\galciv.exe
0045199F 0012FC60 0001:0005099F D:\Program Files\Stardock\Drengin.net\AltarianProphecy\galciv.exe
0058A592 0012FC7C 0001:00189592 D:\Program Files\Stardock\Drengin.net\AltarianProphecy\galciv.exe
0058A854 0012FC98 0001:00189854 D:\Program Files\Stardock\Drengin.net\AltarianProphecy\galciv.exe
0058681E 0012FCC4 0001:0018581E D:\Program Files\Stardock\Drengin.net\AltarianProphecy\galciv.exe
005A9F41 0012FCF8 0001:001A8F41 D:\Program Files\Stardock\Drengin.net\AltarianProphecy\galciv.exe
77D43A50 0012FD24 0001:00002A50 D:\WINDOWS\system32\USER32.dll
77D43B1F 0012FD8C 0001:00002B1F D:\WINDOWS\system32\USER32.dll
77D45B2C 0012FDBC 0001:00004B2C D:\WINDOWS\system32\USER32.dll
77D45F73 0012FDDC 0001:00004F73 D:\WINDOWS\system32\USER32.dll
5101EA58 0012FE08 0001:0001DA58 D:\WINDOWS\System32\DDRAW.dll
77D43A50 0012FE34 0001:00002A50 D:\WINDOWS\system32\USER32.dll
77D43B1F 0012FE9C 0001:00002B1F D:\WINDOWS\system32\USER32.dll
77D43D79 0012FEFC 0001:00002D79 D:\WINDOWS\system32\USER32.dll
77D44374 0012FF34 0001:00003374 D:\WINDOWS\system32\USER32.dll
005E517A 0012FFC0 0001:001E417A D:\Program Files\Stardock\Drengin.net\AltarianProphecy\galciv.exe
77E814C7 0012FFF0 0001:000204C7 D:\WINDOWS\system32\kernel32.dll
End of quote


~SDC~
Reply #6 from Stardock Forums Top
The AP beta comes with three new modules - Map Editor, Scenario Editor and Campaign Editor.

I've just tried the Map Editor. Don't think it's ready yet because it lockuped my PC twice.

~SDC~
Reply #7 from Stardock Forums Top
Scenario Editor.

I'm describing the functionalities.

Info tab allows you to insert descriptions for the scenario and at victory and defeat.

Team tab allows you to setup teams among the majors and to rename the majors.

Universe tab allows you to alter the technology rate, velocity (I'm guessing base speeds) and population growth from Very Slow to Very Fast. It also allows you to alter Morale, Ship Costs, Starbase Limit and Influence from Very Low to Very High.

Rules tab allows for the various options to be selected in your scenario - Allow AI tech victory, Allow aggressive minor colonization, Allow minors to invade and to set the starting funds (0-10,000bcs). It also allows you to select the victory conditions for the scenario (Cultural, Research, Alliance).

Technologies tab gives you the ability to customize the starting techs in the game (seems like its the same for everyone) and which techs are restricted in the game (wonder what happens if you restrict an early tech which is a pre-req for many others down the line).

Lastly the Triggered Events tab allows the setting of custom victory or defeat conditions relating the system ownership by a race, player elimination or diplomatic relationships. So you can do something like - "If Arceans are eliminated, then Victory".

Looks very promising. Can already think of a few rules that I would like to set for my games. :)

~SDC~
Reply #8 from Stardock Forums Top
The Campaign Editor is straightforward.

It's simply allows you to include Prologue and Epilogue descriptions and to string a series of scenarios/maps together into a campaign.

~SDC~
Reply #9 from Stardock Forums Top
Ok, GoodVsEvil rules looks like it starts off with Humans, Alts and Tors in one team and Dregs, Yors and Arcs in the other. The alignments of each major can still be changed in the setup but the team compositions remain the same.

~SDC~
Reply #10 from Stardock Forums Top
Started a Tiny Maso Random game in 1.49b.

Maybe it's the fact that diplomatic relations are quickly established on this tiny map and tech trades have been firing but Alts with their 2 systems already have 15 techs in March of the second year.

Alexians do want want to buy techs for cash any more. :( :)

~SDC~
Reply #11 from Stardock Forums Top
Was trading techs as usual but I noticed that the Altarians seem to have high diplomacy as well even though I took max diplomacy picks. So I used the cheat codes to max out espionage to see if the Maso bonuses have been changed.

Didn't take the time to sieve through exactly but Altarians had +84% diplomacy (to my +90%). The lowest an AI had was +54%, so the base Maso bonus is probably +44% with a +10% accorded by the Diplomacy tech. The Altarians probably took other diplomacy picks at startup. Noticed that for this game, all AIs picked Speed+1.

The other change I've noticed is that the Maso PQ bonus has dropped from +30% to +24%.
~SDC~
[Message Edited]
Reply #12 from Stardock Forums Top
Hmmm... I saved my game then enabled the cheat codes to test out the Maso bonuses. Afterwhich, loading my save and autosaves gives me a CTD.

My first turn save loads fine though. Will see if this is once-off.

~SDC~
Reply #13 from Stardock Forums Top
Something unusual that may explain the fast tech research for my Tiny game.

When I restarted my Tiny game from the first turn, I noticed that Communications Theory now only requires 20bcs to research and Universal Translators 10bcs. I started a new game to check that I did not accidentally use any custom rules accelerating the tech research. I started a Gigantic game and the costs were normal (50bcs for Comms Theory).

Were the research costs tweaked to make them relative to Galaxy size?

~SDC~
Reply #14 from Stardock Forums Top
Anyone else having problems loading games?

I've started another map. Played a few turns, save and reloaded it. CTD.

Stardock SmartException Logging Information
-------------------------------------------

OS Version : Windows XP
Video Card : ALL-IN-WONDER RADEON
Application Exception code: C0000005 ACCESS_VIOLATION
Crash Addr: 005E287C 01:001E187C D:\Program Files\Stardock\Drengin.net\AltarianProphecy\galciv.exe

Processor Registers (x86):
EAX:00000008
EBX:00000000
ECX:00000001
EDX:00000000
ESI:00000004
EDI:09B70030
CS:EIP:001B:005E287C
SS:ESP:0023:0012F740 EBP:0012F748
DS:0023 ES:0023 FS:003B GS:0000
Flags:00010297


Current Application Call Stack:

Addr Frame Logical addr Module Name
---------------------------------------------
005E287C 0012F748 0001:001E187C D:\Program Files\Stardock\Drengin.net\AltarianProphecy\galciv.exe
0058025B 0012F764 0001:0017F25B D:\Program Files\Stardock\Drengin.net\AltarianProphecy\galciv.exe
004F812F 0012F7AC 0001:000F712F D:\Program Files\Stardock\Drengin.net\AltarianProphecy\galciv.exe
00502A96 0012F834 0001:00101A96 D:\Program Files\Stardock\Drengin.net\AltarianProphecy\galciv.exe
0051CFE5 0012FAE0 0001:0011BFE5 D:\Program Files\Stardock\Drengin.net\AltarianProphecy\galciv.exe
004B88FA 0012FBFC 0001:000B78FA D:\Program Files\Stardock\Drengin.net\AltarianProphecy\galciv.exe
004BB064 0012FC44 0001:000BA064 D:\Program Files\Stardock\Drengin.net\AltarianProphecy\galciv.exe
004BA509 0012FC60 0001:000B9509 D:\Program Files\Stardock\Drengin.net\AltarianProphecy\galciv.exe
0058A592 0012FC7C 0001:00189592 D:\Program Files\Stardock\Drengin.net\AltarianProphecy\galciv.exe
0058A854 0012FC98 0001:00189854 D:\Program Files\Stardock\Drengin.net\AltarianProphecy\galciv.exe
0058681E 0012FCC4 0001:0018581E D:\Program Files\Stardock\Drengin.net\AltarianProphecy\galciv.exe
005A9F41 0012FCF8 0001:001A8F41 D:\Program Files\Stardock\Drengin.net\AltarianProphecy\galciv.exe
77D43A50 0012FD24 0001:00002A50 D:\WINDOWS\system32\USER32.dll
77D43B1F 0012FD8C 0001:00002B1F D:\WINDOWS\system32\USER32.dll
77D45B2C 0012FDBC 0001:00004B2C D:\WINDOWS\system32\USER32.dll
77D45F73 0012FDDC 0001:00004F73 D:\WINDOWS\system32\USER32.dll
5101EA58 0012FE08 0001:0001DA58 D:\WINDOWS\System32\DDRAW.dll
77D43A50 0012FE34 0001:00002A50 D:\WINDOWS\system32\USER32.dll
77D43B1F 0012FE9C 0001:00002B1F D:\WINDOWS\system32\USER32.dll
77D43D79 0012FEFC 0001:00002D79 D:\WINDOWS\system32\USER32.dll
77D44374 0012FF34 0001:00003374 D:\WINDOWS\system32\USER32.dll
005E517A 0012FFC0 0001:001E417A D:\Program Files\Stardock\Drengin.net\AltarianProphecy\galciv.exe
77E814C7 0012FFF0 0001:000204C7 D:\WINDOWS\system32\kernel32.dll
End of quote


~SDC~
Reply #15 from Stardock Forums Top
CTD at Senate Elections

Stardock SmartException Logging Information
-------------------------------------------

OS Version : Windows XP
Video Card : ALL-IN-WONDER RADEON
Application Exception code: C0000005 ACCESS_VIOLATION
Crash Addr: 0043A6CA 01:000396CA D:\Program Files\Stardock\Drengin.net\AltarianProphecy\galciv.exe

Processor Registers (x86):
EAX:00000000
EBX:00000000
ECX:00000000
EDX:00000000
ESI:005A9509
EDI:0012FD6C
CS:EIP:001B:0043A6CA
SS:ESP:0023:0012F99C EBP:0012F9A0
DS:0023 ES:0023 FS:003B GS:0000
Flags:00010246


Current Application Call Stack:

Addr Frame Logical addr Module Name
---------------------------------------------
0043A6CA 0012F9A0 0001:000396CA D:\Program Files\Stardock\Drengin.net\AltarianProphecy\galciv.exe
004C04C0 0012FC04 0001:000BF4C0 D:\Program Files\Stardock\Drengin.net\AltarianProphecy\galciv.exe
004C0D47 0012FC28 0001:000BFD47 D:\Program Files\Stardock\Drengin.net\AltarianProphecy\galciv.exe
004C148A 0012FC60 0001:000C048A D:\Program Files\Stardock\Drengin.net\AltarianProphecy\galciv.exe
0058A592 0012FC7C 0001:00189592 D:\Program Files\Stardock\Drengin.net\AltarianProphecy\galciv.exe
0058A854 0012FC98 0001:00189854 D:\Program Files\Stardock\Drengin.net\AltarianProphecy\galciv.exe
0058681E 0012FCC4 0001:0018581E D:\Program Files\Stardock\Drengin.net\AltarianProphecy\galciv.exe
005A9F41 0012FCF8 0001:001A8F41 D:\Program Files\Stardock\Drengin.net\AltarianProphecy\galciv.exe
77D43A50 0012FD24 0001:00002A50 D:\WINDOWS\system32\USER32.dll
77D43B1F 0012FD8C 0001:00002B1F D:\WINDOWS\system32\USER32.dll
77D45B2C 0012FDBC 0001:00004B2C D:\WINDOWS\system32\USER32.dll
77D45F73 0012FDDC 0001:00004F73 D:\WINDOWS\system32\USER32.dll
5101EA58 0012FE08 0001:0001DA58 D:\WINDOWS\System32\DDRAW.dll
77D43A50 0012FE34 0001:00002A50 D:\WINDOWS\system32\USER32.dll
77D43B1F 0012FE9C 0001:00002B1F D:\WINDOWS\system32\USER32.dll
77D43D79 0012FEFC 0001:00002D79 D:\WINDOWS\system32\USER32.dll
77D44374 0012FF34 0001:00003374 D:\WINDOWS\system32\USER32.dll
005E517A 0012FFC0 0001:001E417A D:\Program Files\Stardock\Drengin.net\AltarianProphecy\galciv.exe
77E814C7 0012FFF0 0001:000204C7 D:\WINDOWS\system32\kernel32.dll
End of quote


~SDC~
Reply #16 from Stardock Forums Top

Curious about the map editor problems as I haven't had any problems with it at all on any machines.

What kind of video card do you have? I think it uses Direct3D.

Reply #17 from Stardock Forums Top

NM, I see the ATI All in Wonder.  Which Radeon?

With regards to the races and such. Yea, there's going to be...issu8es early on because the two new races are partially in, partially not. So some areas may just need to be avoided.

What we mainly want to find out is how well the new tools are working. That's why I'm particularly interested in hearing about the map editor.

Reply #18 from Stardock Forums Top
BTW, AI-wise, this build is the same as 1.13. I havne't done anything with the AI yet.
Reply #19 from Stardock Forums Top
It says Radeon 7200 AGP (QD) 32MB. Does it help?



~SDC~
Reply #20 from Stardock Forums Top
My Direct3D settings are:

Wait for vertical sync: On
W-buffer support: On
Compressed texture format: On
Z-buffer bit depths: 16;24
Anti-aliasing: Application preference 2X
Dithering method: Use error diffusion dithering

~SDC~
Reply #21 from Stardock Forums Top

Ah sorry, I meant which DirectX do you have? DX 7, 8, 9? Which OS?

Reply #22 from Stardock Forums Top
I have basically ther same problem, directx 9b, newest Stardock Central and GalCiv 1.13, XP Pro. When I hit install windows gives me one of it error messages asking to send an error report and shutting down stardock central

~SDC~
Reply #23 from Stardock Forums Top
I've got DirectX 9.0b and XP Home.

I can launch the editor but the system locks-up after I try to select the new map size.

Noticed that dragging the new map box around lies shadows on the starmap. Maximising the Editor got rid of the shadows but still doesn't work.

Tried loading one of the beta maps as well but same result.
~SDC~
[Message Edited]
Reply #24 from Stardock Forums Top
My first sightings

Map Editor:
I can't see the "borders" of the universe. Seems i can zoom out infinitly.
I general i'm having trouble navigating the "map" (I am missing scroll bars and universe "borders")

Scenari Editor:
Succesful create "team"-scenario and loaded it.
Tests done on teams:
Ok - You cannot attack team player
Ok - Tried to ally with AI of another team, then attack other AI from same team to get them to break alliance (no such luck)
Bug? - My own team player didn't declear war when i was attacked

General:
Caranoids - dimplomacy screen picture is "alive" this looks good
Reply #25 from Stardock Forums Top
Map Editor: Freezes windows. Must reboot. Same as Ray.

I ran roundrobbin game. My team mates, the Altarians, helped me fight the Arceans (well, they did all the fighting, the Arceans and the Drengins were too far away anyway). Then they asked my help against the Yors, with whom I traded a lot. So I said NO. I remained a faithful team member/ally of the Altarians while not helping them in their war. That should not be possible. I should have been thrown out of the team or forced into war.
A map/sensors sharing with team members would make sense. Also, there is no reason why I wouldn't share everyone of my techs with my teammate. The diplomacy would have to be revised to make the team option interesting. I also suspect team members not to vote intelligently on UP issues, but can't really say so for sure.

More on the minors crash bug: Apparently, you must have contacts with all minors for the button to work. Contact with Alex and Carinoids = no bug. Only Alexians = Crash.