RELEASED: Galactic Civilizations II: Dark Avatar v1.8!

Bigger, Better, Stronger

from GalCiv2 Forums

Owners of Galactic Civilizations II: Dark Avatar can now upgrade to version 1.8.  For the past month, we've been putting v1.7 through its paces and ultimately decided due to the level of change to release it as v1.8.

The new version includes a ton of new features such as new planetary governors, an event log, a detailed lease screen, a local high score screen, updated AI, improved planetary improvement graphics, memory optimizations, improved performance, and more.

This free update is available for download via Stardock Central.

   
  

For a list of the major changes, see the What's New Journal.

38,304 views 41 replies
Reply #1 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Go Stardock, go Stardock!

Great update and many thanks to you all for your continued work on GCII!
Reply #2 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Great work!
Now I really should get a move on with the Mod Metaverse .
TouchTasks - Access tasks with ease on Windows touchscreens.
Reply #3 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Thanks stardock.
Reply #4 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
I'm not sure if I should put this here, but did you guys pull part of this release off Stardock Central? My installation from DA 1.7 Beta 4 is failing with a "module you requested is no longer available" message. I've tried it twice now. Here's the log it gives me:

"-- [Application] ----------------------------------------------------
Name: Stardock Central
Path: C:\Program Files\Stardock\SDCentral
Version: 2.48.486, build: 160

-- [System Information] ---------------------------------------------
Platform: Microsoft Windows Windows NT4, 6.0.6000
Display: NVIDIA GeForce 7600 GT
Driver Version: 7.15.11.6369
System Dir: C:\Windows\system32
Time / Date: 14:54:25 -- Thursday, October 18, 2007

-- [Installing] -----------------------------------------------------
Server: http://sdc1.stardock.com
Server Dir: public
Network Id: drengin
Name: Dark Avatar (Expansion Pack) for Galactic Civilizations II
App Id: gc2
Installed: True
Version: 1.80.093
Type: beta
Reg Key: GalCiv2
Install Dir: C:\Program Files\Stardock\TotalGaming\GalCiv2
Exe: DarkAvatar\DALaunch.exe
Last Updated: 10/18/2007

-- [Account] --------------------------------------------------------
First Name: redacted
Last Name: redacted
Email: redacted
Error: Attempt: 1 | Module Request Failed: The module you have requested is no longer available. (ref: 201)
Error: Attempt: 2 | Module Request Failed: The module you have requested is no longer available. (ref: 201)
Error: Attempt: 3 | Module Request Failed: The module you have requested is no longer available. (ref: 201)
Server: Using other server http://sdc2.stardock.com
Error: Attempt: 1 | Module Request Failed: The module you have requested is no longer available. (ref: 201)
Error: Attempt: 2 | Module Request Failed: The module you have requested is no longer available. (ref: 201)
Error: Attempt: 3 | Module Request Failed: The module you have requested is no longer available. (ref: 201)
Result: Installation failed (9)"
Reply #5 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
We didn't pull it off.  We were having trouble with new installs earlier, though.  Are you using the US-1 server?
Reply #6 from GalCiv2 Forums Top

David,

Cancel the installation, go to Tools->Internet and click Refresh XML Data.  Then try again.

Reply #7 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Yes, this only just got fixed, so if you were downloading fresh it will fail until you try again.
Reply #8 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Refreshed XML Data, restarted SDC, but still got the same problem. Then, even though the log indicated it had tried both servers, I switched from US-1 to US-2. I also dismissed the pop-up telling me of the update instead of accepting it. This time, I could get the download (sorry I did two things at once so you can't pin it down). Just to make sure, my versions are:

Dark Avatar (Expansion Pack): 1.80.093
Heightmaps: 1.59.017

Also, the AutoArchive process appears to have worked on Vista now that I gave it a directory not under Program Files.

Aside: You people do great work and I wish Stardock were a public company. I'd buy stock in it instantly. Also, if the company has a few million dollars lying around, maybe you could buy TiVo and fix their latest release for them .
Reply #9 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Thanks for the info. We're working on it. Pesky technology!   
Reply #10 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Okay, should now be good to go!
Reply #11 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Well done Stardock!!! I never thought that well after a year from buying this game i would still be playing it so much, let alone being excited and surprised by it.

Kudos to you!!!!

Reply #12 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Yes, this only just got fixed, so if you were downloading fresh it will fail until you try again.
End of quote


Yes, it worked for me that way.

Btw, Stardock has made the one and only game that I've had for like one and a half year and I'm still interested in playing. This game may just be the best strategy game to date.

Kudos to all you guys! Another job well done.
Can't wait for TOTA.

-Fire
Reply #13 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
I am assuming saved games from 1.6 will not run. Or am I wrong and they will run under 1.8.

Oh and thanks!
Reply #14 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
I am assuming saved games from 1.6 will not run. Or am I wrong and they will run under 1.8.
End of quote


i think Cari already said they should work, except the AI bugs won't be fixed?
Reply #15 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
From The Gray Haired Generation, You Guys and Gals Really "ROCK" please keep up the great work, Thanks ever so much.
Reply #16 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
For the past month, we've been putting v1.7 through its paces and ultimately decided due to the level of change to release it as v1.8.
End of quote

Hmm, there was a v1.6, then v1.7-betas and now v1.8? Sounds like weird marketing stuff to me.
Reply #17 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
hush, they are just proud of their new baby.
Reply #18 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Awesome, I just bought the game today, (been playing @ a friends house for like a month, he wanted me out lol).

So I bought GC+DA-TAbundle, and couldnt be happier to play.

Quick question to anyone, when I try to register my serial for TA, it says its invalid... do I have to wait for October 25th for it to register?
Reply #19 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Quick question to anyone, when I try to register my serial for TA, it says its invalid... do I have to wait for October 25th for it to register?
End of quote


More likely the number you got for TA was just an order ID. You won't get a serial until the beta is posted.
Reply #20 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Is there a problem with the number of habitable planets under 1.8?

There are a number of bug reports claiming that new games started under
1.8 had very few habitable planets.
Reply #21 from GalCiv2 Forums Top

Is there a problem with the number of habitable planets under 1.8?

There are a number of bug reports claiming that new games started under
1.8 had very few habitable planets.
End of quote

The number of habitable planets was reduced in an effort to reduce the memory usage.  We are going to raise it in another update shortly, but not to the previous levels.

 

Reply #22 from GalCiv2 Forums Top


Is there a problem with the number of habitable planets under 1.8?

There are a number of bug reports claiming that new games started under
1.8 had very few habitable planets.


The number of habitable planets was reduced in an effort to reduce the memory usage.  We are going to raise it in another update shortly, but not to the previous levels.


 

End of quote



Does the reduction depend on the size of the game? Or will it be across the board--from small to huge to colossal?

Already DA cut the number of habitable planets compared to DL. I could live with that but I am not sure I want anymore. It will take a lot of fun out of the game for me. I play typically on huge 12x12.

Reply #23 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Speaking of planets and their habitability: I'd welcome if there was a setting to define the quota of planets that need colonization technologies in order to be habitable: 'rare' (or even 'none') to 'abundant' - you know the deal.
Reply #24 from GalCiv2 Forums Top

Quick question to anyone, when I try to register my serial for TA, it says its invalid... do I have to wait for October 25th for it to register?


More likely the number you got for TA was just an order ID. You won't get a serial until the beta is posted.





End of quote


No, well I ahve a order number, I beleive its a serial number... formatted like so

Product Name : Galactic Civilizations II: Twilight of the Arnor
User Name : xxxxxx
Email : xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Serial Number : xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx (To be used when Twilight of Arnor is available)

So ... does that mean the 25th? Also there is a rater large bug I've been experiencing today, in where the AI does not build anything...(running 1.8). Its rather frustrating.
Reply #25 from GalCiv2 Forums Top

So ... does that mean the 25th? Also there is a rater large bug I've been experiencing today, in where the AI does not build anything...(running 1.8). Its rather frustrating.
End of quote

What difficulty level are you playing at, and what galaxy size? I was certain that we fixed that.