Playing GC DL DA in Windows

from GalCiv2 Forums
I've heard the expression "playing in windows" and understand it to mean you are playing the game with your internet browser open so you can go in and out of the game to check on something in the Galactopedia or read the replies to a question you posted here etc. without having to save the game, quit, and load up again. If that's not what is meant then please tell me where I've got it wrong. If I have that much right, then can someone tell us how to do it? When you are in the game, there is no maximize/minimize or close-tab button anywhere that I can see, the game takes up the full screen, so how can you get back to your browser? Is there some standard Windows command involving the F keys, or Control, alt or something? Can you do it in Windows XP SP2?

If I sound like Bubba please be kind.

Thanks for your replies.

3,371 views 4 replies
Reply #1 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Alt-Tab or Alt-Esc
Reply #2 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Disable running the game in fullsceen. hen it will run in a "window" of you choice resolution.
WindowBlinds - Free yourself of the default settings, customize your desktop.
Reply #3 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
yeah its under the video tab in the options menu IIRC. Note that some resolutions are not the best to play windowed and may even be visually off (where you point your mouse at may not be where the game registers it at, does that make sense?) I had to try a few different resolutions to find the ones that worked for me.

Also, remember that GC, while not a super memory hog, does take up some good processing power, especially on larger maps. If you have a lower or median computer I suggest thinking carefully about running extra programs while you play.

Finally, it is possible though rare, that switching between the game and other programs can cause the game to freeze.

It can be useful, just be aware of the risks.
Reply #4 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
You can use ALT + TAB to switch between any programs windows is running at any time. However, if you are running the game in fullscreen mode (which is default) then you may be switching resolutions as you go, which can cause problems. The best answer is to play the game at the resolution you run your computer normally, which should ALWAYS be your monitor's native resolution. Even then, using ALT + TAB can cause the game to become unstable, and often takes several seconds to switch back to.

The best way to switch back and forth is to play the game in windowed mode. That is, if your web browser were the game, the game would be displaying under the blue title bar, where you are viewing the internet. If you choose to play the game in windowed mode (by going to options and deselecting 'play fullscreen') you will play the game in windowed mode, but at your standard resolution, which will allow you to use all of your monitor to view the game, instead of having the blue bar at the top. This will allow you to ALT + TAB in and out of the game MUCH quicker, and with MUCH less chance of causing any problems or crashes. If you have multiple monitors, you can also move your mouse off of your primary monitor and click on another window in another monitor if you are playing in windowed mode.

If you want to play in windowed mode but still have the blue title bar, the easiest way to do this is to go into the options screen and deselect 'play fullscreen', and then open up your prefs.ini file and subtract from the values next to 'DisplayHeight=' and 'DisplayWidth='. For instance, if it says 'DisplayHeight=1024' and 'DisplayWidth=1280' you might make it 'DisplayHeight=1000' and 'DisplayWidth=1256', so that the title bar will have room to display at the top.

Please take note though, if you have an older/slower computer, and/or an older/slower video card, playing in windowed mode can hurt the game's performance, causing to be slow and/or choppy.