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GalCiv II: DA Beta 6 (1.59.098) released!

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GalCiv II: DA Beta 6 (1.59.098) released!

Hopefully the final beta!

from GalCiv2 Forums

We have released what we hope will be the final beta of GalCiv II: Dark Avatar 1.6 before we do the official release.

New in this build:

+ FIX: Fixed some alt-tab crashes present in 1.6 beta 5.
+ FIX: Added code to remove AI ship designs from the graphics cache when they are no longer being used
+ FIX: Fixed bug where, in 1 on 1 battles, if both ships kill each other, the stronger surviving ship would have hp restored instead of receiving 1 hp.
+ FIX: Added support for mixed vertex processing which should help some people with older video cards who would normally be running in software vertex processing mode.
+ FIX: Changed the way that vertex and index buffers are created to help framerates for cards running in software or mixed vp mode.
+ TWEAK: Planet Surface Variety Option now defaults to 50%

--

Basically the goal of this build is to "have cake and eat it too" in the sense that all users should experience the new graphics engine (or at least as good as it was before) without any downsides.

We've also reduced memory usage further.

We're still doing more work but hopefully this will be the last beta. Then we'll move onto starting 1.7 which should have new Mega Events, new constructor handling, updated AI, and more.

Please let us know if you have any problems. Assume this is a "real" release.

Update from Cari (6/5/07):  If you are still experiencing slowdown issues, please try this build and turn OFF the Enhanced Ship Rendering option.  You may also need to turn off the Allow Mixed Vertex Processing option.  This build also fixes a memory leak.

http://sd.stardock.com/carielf/da_1_6_rc1.zip

 

22,267 views 49 replies
Reply #26 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Great Job! However, I still have a slightly annoying problem with the minimap: When a race has some territory outside its main territory, these (the coloured blobs on the minimap) are connected via a coloured line, while a black line appears as continuation of this in the coloured blob. Not critical, just doesn't look very nice... First appeared when I got the beta. Is there anything to solve it?
Reply #27 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
I dont know if anyone else has this problem, but in the last couple of betas, my mining bases dont show up on the map anymore. All i get is a line to the planet they're suppling, but theres no base graphic.
Sins of a Solar Empire: Rebellion
Reply #28 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
My FPS has increased noticeably. On large galaxies with 7 opponents, I had to move ships zoomed out until the icons showed up or everything would slow to a crawl. (I have a radeon x800 pro, so I don't have a terrible card, but nothing insane). Now I can move things normally. If the guys that made counter-strike acted like Stardock, maybe that game wouldn't be a piece of crap that I quit playing.
Reply #29 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
I dont know if anyone else has this problem, but in the last couple of betas, my mining bases dont show up on the map anymore. All i get is a line to the planet they're suppling, but theres no base graphic.

Hehe yup others are experiencing the same problem TheDrock, read the reply I made only 3 replies above yours! (Reply #24)  
Reply #30 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Hi all!

Still ctds!!!! Especially when activating ships, wich paused in planets orbit. In my existing game (patched to latest version today), huge galaxy, a lot ships....i reactivate my transporters wich waited for a long time in the planets orbit, after launching them, the game crashes when selcting the destination field on the map. The same witch contructors!

Well, another question: where can i find the update list?

Greetings from Germany
Jochen
Reply #31 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Bravo!   

My framerate has increased tremendously - I can now play zoomed in past Tactical view and get Framerates of 40-55.

1.6 Beta 6 is working for me in that regard. Just played a few turns so far...no other issues to report yet.

Specs:

DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)
Operating System: Windows XP Professional (5.1, Build 2600) Service Pack 2 (2600.xpsp_sp2_gdr.050301-1519)
Languages: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: ECS
System Model: M848A
BIOS: Default System BIOS
Processor: AMD Athlon(tm) XP 2400+, MMX, 3DNow, ~2.0GHz
Physical Memory: 1536MB RAM
Page File: 447MB used, 4541MB available
Windows Dir: C:\WINDOWS


Display Info
Display device 1:
Device Name: \\.\DISPLAY1
Card Name: RADEON 9550
Manufacturer: ATI Technologies Inc.
Chip Type: ATI RADEON 9550 AGP (0x4153)
DAC Type: Internal DAC(400MHz)
Key Device: Enum\PCI\VEN_1002&DEV_4153&SUBSYS_04021002&REV_00
Display Memory: 256.0 MB
Current Display Mode: 1360 x 1024 (32 bit) (60Hz)
Monitor Name: Plug and Play Monitor
Monitor Max Resolution: 1600,1200
Driver Name: ati2dvag.dll
Driver Version: 6.14.0010.6641
Driver Date: 9/26/2006 21:50:22
DirectX Acceleration Enabled: Yes
Reply #32 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
I guess I'm going to have to leave my current game unfinished to try this version. I don't want to be left out like what happened in a previous beta (the one with the fog of war bug).

+ FIX: Fixed bug where, in 1 on 1 battles, if both ships kill each other, the stronger surviving ship would have hp restored instead of receiving 1 hp.


Why can't they both be destroyed?

Then we'll move onto starting 1.7 which should have new Mega Events, new constructor handling, updated AI, and more.


Constructor handling? Is it something like an improvement to the rally point / governer screen system?
Reply #33 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
 If you are still experiencing slowdown issues, please try this build and turn OFF the Enhanced Ship Rendering option.  You may also need to turn off the Allow Mixed Vertex Processing option.

http://sd.stardock.com/carielf/da_1_6_rc1.zip

 

Reply #34 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
I tried out the b6 release candidate and it seems to work good. One thing is that the two added options appear as "String Not Found" instead of the appropriate text for the new options. I deactivated both "string not found" options and my framerates are back to normal .
Reply #35 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
kholdstayr, I forgot to put in the updated string file. I'll make sure to get it in for the real update.
Reply #36 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Here is strange things Ive noticed in 1.6 beta 6:

- sometimes Farms give no food at all. So I've Colony Center (6.00 bln ppl) then I build Farm (nothing changes) then I build another and get 11.00 (or 9.00, I dont remember what kind of farm was that, but I think it was 2nd upgrade)
And if I will demolish one of these farms - it will drop to 6.00

- this one really pissed me off:
I had one medium sized ship (29 hp, Attack: MD 2; Def: Missile 4). I attacked enemy small ship (hp 11, Attack: Missile 8; Def: none) There were no bases around. And my ship have lost the battle, and was able only to take 3-4 hp from enemy ship. That had absolutely NO armor.
Also while watching few other battles - my MD attack often failed even if enemy had no armor.

- this one was for a long time already:

Battle report shows that I win and all my ships are at maximum HP, but when I return to Galaxy map, one of my ship becomes damaged on few HP.




Reply #37 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
The farm thing is an old bug (at least 1.2 DL). If you reload the game it should clear and get you the proper food count...
Reply #39 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Battle report shows that I win and all my ships are at maximum HP, but when I return to Galaxy map, one of my ship becomes damaged on few HP.


Most likely your ships gained enough experience from the battle to level up. Once they do so I believe they need to 'repair' up to their new max HP level.
Reply #40 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
But then other ships should be "damaged" too, but they are ok. And actualy every time after level up, required HP are added instantly
Reply #41 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
thanks for posting the update here... Stardock downloaded the GalCiv update, but kept saying it could not download the update to DA or the heightmaps... using Stardock may be convienent, but it is not so when it does not work... posting updates on the site here would be a little less confusing. i am still unable to get the heightmaps however... this is a wee tad frustrating i have to admit... the game crashing all the time is also rather frustrating... Great game... if it would work.

while working to update the game is greatly appreciated, working bugs out before selling it would be even more appreciated.
Reply #42 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Stardock downloaded the GalCiv update, but kept saying it could not download the update to DA or the heightmaps


There seems to be an issue with the automatic update on SDC--try turning off show-prerelease, and selecting the modules in the games list and clicking the update button manually.
Reply #43 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Thanks Kryo... i did this, and it worked fine.
Reply #44 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
This'll probably get lost in the shuffle, but the new patch is amazing! The rates were a crawl with lots of ships on screen before the update. Now everything is fast and the game is actually playable, even with tons of stuff going on. Kudos to the team, thanks all!
Reply #45 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Hi all I have tryed to download the release for GalCiv 2: Da version and it wants me to buy it when i have already bought the game at a store can anyone help me out to download the new version please

Reply #46 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Well the beta cured most of my problems with DA! Now, I only get a slow down occasionally and it's only a small one. DA used to be a rancid beats when it came to memory usage.

PS: Kudos for adding a feature to make stacked ships less of a problem.
Reply #47 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
scotty, in Stardock Central, go to Tools->Register Products, click on the game tab, and enter your Dark Avatar serial number.
Reply #48 from Stardock Forums Top
When I click the link, a page comes up that says simply, "This page cannot be found"

Perhaps I am obtuse, and I don't mean to waste anyone's time, but I've been searching for the patch for a better part of an hour (after having just tonight purchased and downloaded the game) and I am unable to find it...can anyone help?
Reply #49 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Heh... you're looking for the wrong one, sir! Grab Stardock Central and patch your game from here. This one here is for an OLD patch... a beta of the Dark Avatar 1.6 patch that is the current version. You can grab the final version of that patch off of Stardock Central.

Its a handy piece of software, and it'll keep DA updated for you... as well as allowing you to participate in beta build of the patches, if you so please!