3 Things You Would Like Added Since DA Is Released

from GalCiv2 Forums

First want to say that for an Expansion DA exceeded my expectations. I base this on past history of buying expansion packs and comparing what was offered to the DA expansion pack. DA kicks some serious butt in this category with all the improvements in graphics, additions, and overall game play.

That being said... as with anything there is room for improvement. Everyone has an opinion based on their style of game play on what features they would like enhanced or added. I play on huge maps at the painful level so these comments are based on that type of game.


The 3 things I would like to see in future additions would be:

1.) Improved Land Based Combat. -

A.) Please at the very least upgrade those cheesy graphics in future updates. I feel like I am in a time warp back to the early 90's when I see the land based combat. Hell just put on a rockem sockem robots commercial (am I showing my age) in its place for entertainment value.

B.) The combat is overly simplistic and there is so much that could be added to enhance it. Separate out soldiers from the regular population base so that you can have more alignment specific choices. If you opt for a genocidal victory there should be some serious evil/influence alignment penalties along with degradation of the planet's quality or industry base. If you are good and keep the civilian population then you might have a more intact planet after conquest but be subjected to revolts, poor morale or other types of issue. Your influence might grow however as other races see you as a more benevolent dictator rather than some genocidal maniac. Again these are just ideas to show the possibilities. As it stands I go from attack to skip as fast as I can. After the first couple of combats does anyone actually sit there and watch the display? Come on be honest now!!


2.) Improved spying. This is overly simplistic and needs a little depth. Its going in the right direction just needs more enhancements. Give your spy's more to do. Perhaps even start giving them experience based on how long they are on the job without getting caught. Lots of things can be done just think that currently its a little barebones.


3.) Improved AI - There are quite a few area's in this category so I will limit myself to one that is a pet peeve.

Planet Development.

I think the AI is smoking crack when I see what they are building. I use this as an excuse for my good alignment to justify the genocide portion of the game. Better dead then a planet full of junkies!! The AI will have a technological capital on a PQ6 planet with only 1 lab 2 factories and a starbase and an embassy In most cases it will ignore bonus tiles building random improvements on them. The AI will then leave a PQ20 planet relatively undeveloped after sinking recourses into developing the more useless planets. I am not sure how it formulates what to construct but I think that a balanced template should be implemented so that each AI planet gets a priority list of things to build initially then let it muddle things around the best it can later on.

On the smaller PQ planets I would build factory/market/entertainment center/basic farming. In this way even the smallest planets would be self sustaining and offer moderate defense with respect to having a higher population that could thwart a transport or two depending on your soldiering ability. The factory I usually upgrade to something else farther down the line (market perhaps for a higher positive cash flow) but I would not expect the AI to be that advanced. After these 4 items then let the AI kick in with whatever madness it does.

I would limit the population centers the AI builds so that the typical 30 billion max planets are thinned out or if it builds population centers have them do it on the correct tiles. Why build 3 or 4 population centers on everything but population bonus tiles then build a lab on the 300% bonus pop tile.

I am not sure how the AI survives without cash but if I built economy tiles like the AI does I would be bankrupt before the colony rush is over and no hope for stability later on. Maybe my approach to the economy part of the game needs work but I honestly cannot see how some of these AI races have a viable economy based on the build of their planets. I think there is a magic ATM supplementing their income somewhere in the mechanics of the game but I could be mistaken. Or perhaps this is why the econs seem to implode for the AI in the mid to later portion of the game. For a human (at least this human here) its the opposite. Struggling econ at the beginning of the game but thriving as time goes on.


Much as I would like to put a few others down I will leave that up to the community. It would be interesting to see a list of the more popular changes be put into a voting window. This might help drive the direction of progress for future updates/versions.
19,734 views 36 replies
Reply #1 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
1) I would like my spies to live longer. Why should a player automatically know where enemy spies are. Shouldn't you have to go looking for them?

2) I would like a role playing element added, i.e. characters who work for you: dark lords, farm boys, princesses, over-confident smugglers, amusing robots, old and wise warriors.

3) I always thought of "resources" as something that comes from asteroids. But now we have asteroids and they give industrial points. So where exactly do these resources come from? I'd like to know.
Reply #2 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
1: Weapons+Defence redone and balanced to reflect new combat model.

2: Good/Neutral/Evil needs to be a genuine choice.

3: Many of the good suggestions in the big AI thread to be considered

The HUGE reapeared PQ bug to be fixed pronto pointless playing until it is!!!
Multiplicity - Control multiple PCs using one keyboard and mouse
Reply #3 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
I only have one thing I would like to see.

I would like to be able to download the game.
Reply #4 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
I only have one.

I would like to be able to download the game.


uh, you can you know, through the SD online store.
Reply #5 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
I only have one.

I would like to be able to download the game.


uh, you can you know, through the SD online store.


uh, not for the past week I havent been able to.
Reply #6 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
The HUGE reapeared PQ bug to be fixed pronto pointless playing until it is!!!


/signed! Even though I know its the weekend and the devs are off.

@Caeili
I downloaded it and installed it on Thursday night. What exactly are you having a problem with as far as downloading it? you also need to get the star dock central program too, and that one is free.
Reply #7 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
The HUGE reapeared PQ bug to be fixed pronto pointless playing until it is!!!


/signed! Even though I know its the weekend and the devs are off.

@Caeili
I downloaded it and installed it on Thursday night. What exactly are you having a problem with as far as downloading it? you also need to get the star dock central program too, and that one is free.


I'm sure the problem will get worked out James. I'm still having the problem that their records don't match the email I used to register DL.

I really don't understand what the problem is but they just requested I send the serial# I'm using so I sent it.

All I want to do is check out the new game.

I'll try to not get ugly like I did the other day as that does nobody any good.

Reply #8 from Stardock Forums Top
1) Galactic Terrain that can have various effects on your ships. From slowing them down to speeding them up to incapitating shields or sensors. Let's have some strategy in how I want to and how the AI will explore/move fleets/ships.

2) More minor races. Not specifically space faring but I'd rather have planets with existing sentient life rather than getting it in a event which disregards them as never having existed anyway.

3) Events to still happen after I choose my alignment.

Bonus: 4) Spies to go back to the way they were. As a leader of an entire galactic empire I would rather set a budget for our intelligence services over handpicking where agents should go on their missions.
Reply #9 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
1) Make the Snaithi a major race.

2) Make the Snathi a major race.

3) Perhaps a good race of chipmonks to balance out the evil Snathi. This shouldonly be implemented after 1 and 2 are.
Reply #10 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
2) I would like a role playing element added, i.e. characters who work for you: dark lords, farm boys, princesses, over-confident smugglers, amusing robots, old and wise warriors.


Please, no!!!!!!


1) Galactic Terrain that can have various effects on your ships. From slowing them down to speeding them up to incapitating shields or sensors. Let's have some strategy in how I want to and how the AI will explore/move fleets/ships.


Like nebulae. I like the fact that asteroids add "terrain" already, but sensor deprivation and other funky stuff would be cool.
Reply #11 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
I can only drum up one request right now:

1) A bit more ability to customize player-made races. Specifically, being able to REMOVE points instead of always having to add. I would like to make a custom race that, say, is an industrial powerhouse but suffers a penalty in research.
Reply #12 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
1: More improvements in the graphics in all areas .

2: Bigger galaxies (so it's possible to advance a long ways before finding another civ ) with even more stuff like asteroid fields ( could mine comets , nebula gas ..etc etc )

3: More completely different races maybe like 4-6 which sounds like a whole other new game but I dunno I was a little disappointed in what came in Dark avatar . I guess I just think there could be like a race of crystal like creatures or water breathers who can only colonize mostly water worlds ..etc etc

One thing I seriously think they should do is smaller releases . Like for instance maybe every 2 weeks or once a month they release new content . Like the asteroids mining could have been a release say for 3.99 and then more hulls and ship parts for like 3.99 and then spies for 3.99...etc etc . Im not going to spend 30$ for another expansion for this game when the fun level increased VERY slightly . By the time they release another large expansion anyways Spore will be out and I highly doubt i'll have any interest in a 4 x Space Conquest game when spore is that and so much more . If they did smaller releases though they might be able to get some more money out of me
Reply #13 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
I believe you're right about Spore. Once Spore comes out I won't be playing anything else.
Reply #14 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
I always thought of "resources" as something that comes from asteroids. But now we have asteroids and they give industrial points. So where exactly do these resources come from? I'd like to know.


It was mentioned elsewhere- they are artifacts from the Precursors, like everything else. I assume that the visible object (cylinder, sphere, cube, ect.) is a container holding the resource. As to what each resource is, it's in the DL Manual.

Aside from that, here's what:

1. A background campaign, featuring the Krynn. Seven to nine missions long, telling of their arrival into this galaxy and what they did in 2226-2227.

2. A date-set indicator. It annoys me how the date is frozen in 2226. I'd like to set it to a certain date (say, 2178), and play from the beginning of the Terran Alliance and hyperdrive.

3. Better Pirates. They should be able to steal money from freighters and starbases and use it to purchase more ships. They should also be able to steal technology from starbases. Maybe, they should be able to have their own space station bases that can be killed for a profit. And you should be able to speak with them. They could demand you tribute them. Also, they should be less powerful- not as many ships and not as strong.

I also agree with:

'2: Bigger galaxies (so it's possible to advance a long ways before finding another civ ) with even more stuff like asteroid fields ( could mine comets , nebula gas ..etc etc )

1) Galactic Terrain that can have various effects on your ships. From slowing them down to speeding them up to incapitating shields or sensors. Let's have some strategy in how I want to and how the AI will explore/move fleets/ships.

2) More minor races. Not specifically space faring but I'd rather have planets with existing sentient life rather than getting it in a event which disregards them as never having existed anyway.

3) Events to still happen after I choose my alignment.

Bonus: 4) Spies to go back to the way they were. As a leader of an entire galactic empire I would rather set a budget for our intelligence services over handpicking where agents should go on their missions.

1) I would like my spies to live longer. Why should a player automatically know where enemy spies are. Shouldn't you have to go looking for them?'

All good suggestions.
Reply #15 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
1) Make another larger galaxy size.(Maybe one half the size of gigantic added TO gigantic.)

2) Even more control over the contents of a galaxy. Set a minimum distance between stars, maximum planets per star, etc... So all the races aren't so clustered.

3) A colossus size ship that is super expensive to build.(Like EVE I guess)

And also, minor events would be nice after choosing your alignment, but of course you would have to always choose your alignment. That way you aren't cut off from bonuses.
Reply #16 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
At this point I don't think Stardock should (or will) add more new features. I think it's only reasonable to have the bugs shaved out and streamline the game further. Looking at it like that I have the following suggestions.

1. The continuing quest for the ultimate AI. I'm sure Brad will continue with this. For me this is just the most important thing to improve the game further. Keeping it challenging and fun. Great suggestions have been made in the 'How's the AI' thread, so I won't add to that.

2. I would love to see a small extra streamlining feature in the techtree. Civ has it and I use it a lot. It would be great to have the possibility to select a future tech and see the game research all techs inbetween automatically. This saves a bit of micromanagement. If I want to go from weapon theory straight to railguns, I'd like to be able to just select the railguns tech and see the game research all techs in betwee automatically.

3. A 'for this amount of gold I will give you that tech' button in the diplomacy screen. Also borrowed from Civ4. In GalCiv 2 it's so annoying to negotiate, cause you have to micromanage it to the single credit to get the best out of the negotiations. A simple button would save us sooo much micromanagement.
Reply #17 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
I can only drum up one request right now:

1) A bit more ability to customize player-made races. Specifically, being able to REMOVE points instead of always having to add. I would like to make a custom race that, say, is an industrial powerhouse but suffers a penalty in research.


Smegma i had the same request, BTW i have done it modding raceconfig.xml and yes races have a lot more feeling.
I have made for example a penalty to loyalty for Korx, penalty for diplomacy for Korath and Drengin, penalty for Morale to Yor, Soldiering penalty to Torians......the game is a lot different and better now!
Reply #18 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Agreed on OP suggestions. Actually the couple first suggestions were brought up during the DA beta but did not get implemented.
Reply #19 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
1. I'd like to see a more in-depth diplomatic structure. Diplomacy should be a bigger factor in the game other than simply giving ang getting stuff. Not to mention that since the game came out the United Planets isn't really of much use. There should be a lot going on at the UP and it should be a strong point of the game.

2. Borders. I know this has been argued before but clearly defined borders should be in the game.

3. Experienced Commanders. I wish you could appoint fleet commandners with experience that would boost the stats of an entire fleet. Adds a bit of a roleplaying element to the game and really differentiates how battles can be fought and won.
Reply #20 from Stardock Forums Top
And also, minor events would be nice after choosing your alignment, but of course you would have to always choose your alignment. That way you aren't cut off from bonuses.


The choices for these events after your alignment is chosen doesn't have to be split in the categories of 'good, neutral and evil'. Infact, these events can disregard seperating your choices based on this three influences.

They can simply offer you a variety of options to choose from, both with advantages and disadvantages relating to other aspects of this 4X game. Maybe one with diplomatic repurcussions. Affects trade or the economy in some profound way. Research? A few of these are already there but are alongside the ethical alignments. Can't see why these can't be used without the alignments to pick from. Maybe events that directly involve a specific ship you have on the map.
Reply #21 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
I'm really liking everything about DA but since you asked...

1. The addition of asteriods was cool. I'd like to see more "space terrain" such as nebulas (which could effect ship movement or defense). Maybe throw in a couple black holes or supernovas that make some sectors or parts of sectors impassable (like the mountain ranges of Civilization).

2. I know the idea of "borders" is consistently shot down, how about adding a diplomatic option for creating "neutral zones". Areas of space that are forbidden to enter without trigging war. It would be a way to keep unwanted civs out of your area of influence plus add another flashpoint for conflicts.

3. Space station rules like you can't build an influence station in orbit around another race's home planet. Sometimes your home system is in a spot where aliens like to build influence bases, sometimes to just extend their range. While I'm all for building bases in enemy/rival areas of influence the home system should be off limits. Maybe a U.P resolution banning stations outside your influence forcing rivals to line borders with stations.
Reply #22 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
1: Minor races can become major races under certain circumstances.
2: Minor races behave similar to how they did in GC1-colonize better, fight better, ect.
3: KRYYN SIDE-CAMPAIGN!! The Kryyn are not mentioned in the main campaign , anywhere, and the lacking of their story makes it hard to distinguishe their character in the game, which can be very annoying when trying to expect how they will play.
Reply #23 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
1. I definetly like the idea of new 'terrain' since they were able to do it with the asteroid fields. Also, a spin on the idea of having nebulae which would be pretty big in larger maps, is that when inside nebulae, your sensor range is decreased because of interference from the gases and other natural phenomena inside nebulae.

2. Allow us to actually do something about space stations that we don't want in our territory without going to war.

2) More minor races. Not specifically space faring but I'd rather have planets with existing sentient life rather than getting it in a event which disregards them as never having existed anyway.

I also like this idea and would be number 3 for me.
Reply #24 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
3: KRYYN SIDE-CAMPAIGN!! The Kryyn are not mentioned in the main campaign , anywhere, and the lacking of their story makes it hard to distinguishe their character in the game, which can be very annoying when trying to expect how they will play.



I agree with this, the Krynn need a background story and I'm sure Brad has plans for these guys, so hopefully we'll learn more about them soon
Reply #25 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Here's a few things off the top of my head:

1. Krynn campaign. I expected to see the Krynn at the end of the Drengin campaign, but of course I didn't.

2. More work on the combat system. The roving pirate bands that have huge attack and defense numbers keeps things interesting, however it does get to a point where defenses are fairly well useless and things become a battle of attrition; i.e. cheap expendable ships. Defenses should be cheaper, or more powerful or maybe both to keep them relevant.

3. Self-sustaining Starbases. It gets...tiresome, to say the least, to continually construct Constructors and send them out to BFE galaxy to upgrade my various starbases. It would be nice to add a 'factory' module (or whatever) that allowed the starbase to construct it's own modules and upgrade itself. Perhaps do this with in the influence area of a planet (with the planet having the same kind of influence area that starbases have now) where starbases could be constructed to be self sustaining. That way 'deep space' starbases would not be able to be self-sustaining and require constructors to upgrade them while those starbases closer to planets could sustain themselves, ostensibly with the help of the planet(s) they are in the influence of.

A short aside about pirates: I've been in several late-game battles with the revamed pirates and they often arrive in ships with weapons several techs higher than my own. Of course, I can't research higher than Doom Rays and Blackhole Guns, but it seems these pirates somehow have some incredible tech much higher than this in late game. In mid-early game, pirates seem to have tech 3 or 4 levels higher than whoever has the best tech. It keeps it interesting for sure. Anyway, I think they did a good job w/ the pirates, but I wouldn't mind some extorting pirates myself.