Galactic Civilizations II 1.2 released!

Better user interface, new combat system, Mod selection UI, example mods and more!

https://www.galciv2.com/Downloads.aspx

Owners of Galactic Civilizations II can now get the latest update to the award-winning strategy game.

Galactic Civilizations II v1.2 has a TON of new features, enhancements, tweaks and fixes based on player feedback.

There are hundreds of changes to the new version, some of the highlights include:

  • A myriad of user interface enhancements. Basically we listened to what users wanted improved in the game's UI and made dozens of updates to the various screens to make managing your intersellar empire and fleet much easier.
  • A new combat system. Previously the combat system overwhelmingly favored the attacker to the point that there was little reason to focus on defenses on a ship.  The new system has ships attacking at the same time.
  • Updated Computer AI.  The AI has been further enhanced to provide not just a challenge at higher levels but to play more intelligently at all levels.  As a reminder, at difficulty levels lower than "tough" (AI set to "intelligent") the computer players are actually penalized in resources.
  • A Modding User interface.  Players can now create their own mods more easily and users can easily select between them.
  • Stardock also has provided a very detailed example mod that includes an alternative game interface, an alternative set of aliens to play against, an alternative tech tree, and more.  Total conversion mods should be very easy to do with the new system.

On top of those changes include hundreds of minor tweaks. To get an idea of the scope, THIS LIST is only a partial list of changes we made to the game from v1.11 to v1.2.

Galactic Civilizations II should be at most retail outlets in the United States, Canada, Europe, and Australia.  You can also purchase it directly on-line from here and download the game immediately while waiting for your box (or you can select download only). 

The update is available through Stardock Central or as a stand-alone download.  Players will need their serial #s to register the game before playing.

79,126 views 32 replies
Reply #1 Top
Yes! I've been waiting for this one. Well, actually, I eagerly await all of them for that matter. Can't wait to try it out though. The change log is absolutely amazing! Hats of to everyone who had a hand in making this gem of a game and all of the updates.

Now, go get some rest for crying out loud...
Reply #2 Top
As I said in the other thread, WooT! My birthday present!
Reply #3 Top
i really like your example mod.... but.... as cute as your new races are....



i had to restore the original raceconfig file to be able to play it. SORRY! i just think the original races are so much fun i can't bear to play without them.

that said, now that the release is out i'm torn. i want to really get into a new game to see how fine tuned you've got it, esp. the new AI option. but i also want to really start working on some of my own mod ideas (they're probably pretty modest; i'm curious how the AI might handle some of them; but i'll try it and see).
Reply #4 Top
Man you guys rock! Great update for a great game! Your support is really superior!
Reply #6 Top
*clears throat*

w00t!!!

Stardock comes through once again! It's amazing to think that some companies call updates "patches" that consist of only a few bug fixes! For example I recently decided to download the patch for Star Wars: Battlefront II. This "patch" completly messed up my game files and I can't play the game anymore. I could reinstall it, but why bother when there are other games out there with better support?

Edit:
And now we have precursor librareies!

w00t!!!
Reply #7 Top
I want to give Brad Wardell a digital high-five. Brad Wardell is so awesome his name deserves to always be spoken as "Brad Wardell," not just "Brad" or "Mr. Wardell".
Reply #8 Top
I want to give Brad Wardell a digital high-five. Brad Wardell is so awesome his name deserves to always be spoken as "Brad Wardell," not just "Brad" or "Mr. Wardell".


Yikes... that sounds dangerously close to "Dereck Smart" !!!
Reply #9 Top
I can't believe I just sat here and read that whole change log. My brain is ablaze with possibilities. I love you guys. No, really. I mean it. Seriously.

Alrighty then, I think I'll go start a fresh new 1.2 game now. Gigantic universe. Yes, I'll do that. Right after I eat. Or maybe right before. Maybe I'll just have a big breakfast tomorrow instead of a small dinner tonight. Come to think of it, why not just stay up all night playing and then while I'm eating breakfast tomorrow, just pretend it's dinner tonight! Plan!

Dang updates. I hate you, Stardock.
Reply #10 Top
Stardock central bug ? I'd been waiting all day and it wasn't there even now. I had to click show-prerelease off and then back on to get it to show up.

Can't wait to start playing metaverse again...

Reply #11 Top
The whole game seems to be faster. What did you guys do?

Great job!

BTW is the intensive AI option running?

Is the load from save game (lost production/extra move turn) bug fixed?
Reply #13 Top
okay, I never downloaded 1.11 so do i need to download that first before i download 1.2
Reply #14 Top
To be honest I am very disappointed with SD

I have written to SD on several occasions about the issue with the Mouse not working in the corners and received a mail back telling that the Mouse pushing into the corners of the screen could not be fixed in 1.1 but would be fixed in 1.2.

It is Not fixed at all.

SD you may think it is silly, but this is the way I play the game and it has sat idle on my Hard Drive waiting for this fix. You appear to be able to fix all sorts of complex issues but you appear to refuse to address this issue seemingly simple issue. WHY?

Well, you have one disappointed user since I trusted what you actually wrote to me and the game still languishes on me HD unused.
Reply #16 Top

Toothless, we don't consider diagnal scrolling (not having it) to be a bug.

The way to navigate around the screen is to use the left mouse button to "grab" the space below the cursor and drag it around. It far more effective.

We have looked at adding diagnal scrolling based on user request but our message handler wasn't intended to support it so it's trickeir. 

Whoever emailed you and said it was a "bug" that needed to be "fixed" was mistaken.  I was the one who decided to make edge scrolling not be the primary way of navigating the screen.  I feel very strongly that our screen navigation system is better than edge scrolling.

We will continue to evaluate adding corner edge scrolling in future builds but we make no promises.  I would suggest trying to navigate the screen using the intended method -- left button down on the main map (not mini map) and dragging around.

Reply #17 Top
I am really looking forward to playing 1.2. I was playing the beta version for a while and was really happy with it. Unfortunately for me I have lost my ISP connection for a while and recently had to slick and reinstall my system. I installed from the original game cds, entered my SN when prompted, and then installed the 1.2 download that I saved from a separate pc. I also downloaded and installed the bonus pack and the 'Enable Collectors Edition Content only' files. As soon as I tried to start the game I received the Activate window, prompting for SN and email address. Without an ISP connection the activation could only be by email. I sent that email this morning from a separate pc. Will I receive a response from that and will I be able to unlock the game on the system with GalCivII installed without an ISP?

Thanks in advance
Reply #18 Top
I have written to SD on several occasions about the issue with the Mouse not working in the corners and received a mail back telling that the Mouse pushing into the corners of the screen could not be fixed in 1.1 but would be fixed in 1.2.


During the beta of the game, this was a major concern for me, also. I was so used to using edge and having the corners scroll diagonally, that I could barely move around the map. I even posted here in the forums about it, but after playing the game a good bit, I like the click and drag method so much more. I don't even use edge scrolling at all, anymore! Give it a try and I imagine you will feel the same way.

On another note, Stardock, you guys rock! This mini expansion pack you call 1.2 is amazing! I think the amount of work and love that you guys put into this game should be an inspiration to every other game developer. Keep up the great work!
Reply #19 Top
Frogboy,

Thank you for the reply.

I originally bought GalCiv when it first came out and played for awhile, then sold it. I bought it again and then sold that copy as well. I then once more purchased it along with AP (each in a separate box) and still own them today.

I preordered GalCiv II so I could receive the additional content and right away wanted to corner edge scroll. I know you may not think it is important but after seeing all you have done for others I thought this would be an easy fix for your team.

I know I am only one person but I will let GalCiv sit on my HD until this is something you consider important enough to address. I am not one to make sweeping threats and this is no exception to that; for me personally though, I will not be purchasing any more add-ons or GalCiv’s at this point in time.

I know with all the additional people that you now have buying, I count as little to nothing in the big picture, but at least I can let you know how I feel and what I feel strongly about.

Thanks again for the reply it is much appreciated.

Toothy
Reply #20 Top
W()()t! Stardock rules.

I love you guys.
Reply #22 Top
1.2 update works well for me. Pleased with it. Would like to request some additional control options. Love the game, but find playing a bit tedious when I get toward the end and have a lot of ships/planets out and about. 1.2 made some improvements, but would like to request additional options to make playing easier toward the end of a game. I'll look for an appropriate place to make feature requests.

Thanks and keep those updates/improvements coming. Look forward to seeing the game get more streamlined as it matures. BTW, this is my first 4x game and never new what I was missing until now. Right on Stardock

- Craig
Reply #23 Top
Stardock, I sent my activation via email and it's been almost 3 days and still no response. Should I re-submit my email activation?

Thanks!
Reply #24 Top
When the defender actually have fair chance will it even be possible to beat the Dread lords especially in the "Seige" scenario.

As it used to be, the only way to defend against them was to detect and attack them before they attacked you. If the defender gets a fair chance then the Dread lords will be unbeatable.
Reply #25 Top

Toothless, we don't consider diagnal scrolling (not having it) to be a bug.

We have looked at adding diagnal scrolling based on user request but our message handler wasn't intended to support it so it's trickeir.

Whoever emailed you and said it was a "bug" that needed to be "fixed" was mistaken. I was the one who decided to make edge scrolling not be the primary way of navigating the screen. I feel very strongly that our screen navigation system is better than edge scrolling.


After rereading your post I think you thought I considered the lack of the Mouse working in the corners a "bug." I did not call it a bug, but I thought it was more of an oversight rather than a bug.

The reason I thought/think this is you did allow for horizontal and vertical scrolling via the mouse, but not diagonal. I figured you must have wanted it in there since mouse pushing is there in two of the three directions.

We will continue to evaluate adding corner edge scrolling in future builds but we make no promises. I would suggest trying to navigate the screen using the intended method -- left button down on the main map (not mini map) and dragging around.


Thank you for the still thinking about this and the tip, but I have tried the other means of moving but still prefer the simple push of the mouse and not a click, hold, drag method.

For me the best way would be to allow for Arrow Key movement which would allow the user to not only move the screen but use the mouse to click on objects at the same time. Of course the Scroll speed would need to be increased.

So you know I am not anti-SD, but for me this is the way I play and when I did play GalCiv II, I found my self pushing horizontal then vertical to move around. Even over the newer ways of doing things, but of course it is a pain to only move in 90 degree motions.

Again thank you for the post and honest reply, but I am done until this is hopefully fixed/implemented.