Tech Tree Tool

from Stardock Forums
In my games of playing Gal Civ, I've found myself bouncing around the tech tree with no real knowledge of what I was doing or the consequences of researching/not researching certain techs. I also found myself at a disadvantage in trying to figure out whether or not certain trades were equitable or missing key trade goods not knowing the pre-requisite tech.

Having finally had enough, I spent some time putting together the tech tree in MS Excel using Javascouts copy of the tech tree. It includes the tech tree, the relative cost of each tech, which techs include trade goods, achievements, wonders, and mining modules. Since it's in Excel, you can do anything you want with it (highlight the techs required for a tech vicotry for example). The costs are relative because the tech costs vary between map sizes.

Anyway, I had a few favorable responses to it, so decided to put it up for mass consumption for good or ill. Enjoy!

My website is here: http://www.kingwoodcable.com/brackard/games

or you can link directly to the file here: http://www.kingwoodcable.com/brackard/games/galcivtech.xls

I believe I've gotten everything, but if you see any changes that need to be made, let me know.

I tried converting this to MS Works formatting, but I believe it lost some serious formatting. If you're still interested, that version is located here: http://www.kingwoodcable.com/brackard/games/galcivtech.wks
1,272 views 4 replies
Reply #1 from Stardock Forums Top
Anyway, I had a few favorable responses to it, so decided to put it up for mass consumption for good or ill. Enjoy!
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I said this in another thread but I'll repeat it here: great job, thanks for the hard work, you saved this newb loads of head scratching and wrong turns.

Sticky this thread!
Reply #2 from Stardock Forums Top
I said this in another thread but I'll repeat it here: great job, thanks for the hard work, you saved this newb loads of head scratching and wrong turns.
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I thought that "making wrong turns" was half the fun of GalCiv in the old days (frustrating sometimes, to be sure). I have always felt that to reveal the tech tree was a kind of cheating on a certain level. Of course, I also realize that my feelings on the subject are only my personal ones, and I harbor no ill will towards those who think otherwise. :)

Bill

~SDC~
Sins of a Solar Empire: Rebellion
Reply #3 from Stardock Forums Top
I have always felt that to reveal the tech tree was a kind of cheating on a certain level.
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I can certainly understand that view. I take a different view of tech trees for two reasons:

1. I have very limited time to play any game, and a tech tree helps me explore a deep game like GalCiv more quickly. Those wrong paths are avoided, surely, but to me those wrong paths are just time wasted.

2) Some strategy games (like Civ II and SMAC, if I recall correctly) ship with printed tech trees. Others include a clear method within the game to learn the path you need to follow for a particular tech or wonder (choose the the goal, and the path is described). I doubt those game designers go to those efforts if they considered giving players this information to be a form of cheating.

That said, its an interesting debate. Is a tech tree cheating? A strategy guide? Is reloading after a save game after losing a huge battle? Opinions obviously will vary.

Of course, I also realize that my feelings on the subject are only my personal ones, and I harbor no ill will towards those who think otherwise.
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Likewise :)
Reply #4 from Stardock Forums Top
F6 in Civ 3 is imho the best example how a tech-tree shall be presented in a game. You can clearly see what tech will give you what stuff.