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Twilight of the Arnor enters final gamma testing!

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Twilight of the Arnor enters final gamma testing!

The long wait is nearly over...

from GalCiv2 Forums

imageStardock is pleased to announce that Galactic Civilizations II: Twilight of the Arnor has gone into final gamma testing. The expansion pack to the critically acclaimed space strategy game, Galactic Civilizations II: Dread Lords, completes the Dread Lord saga with the return of the powerful Precursor civilization, the Arnor. 

Arguably the most comprehensive expansion pack in strategy game history, Galactic Civilizations II: Twilight of the Arnor has more new features and content than Galactic Civilizations II had over the original.

A labor of love, Twilight of the Arnor is nearly complete.  This week, we are putting it through final gamma testing as lots of content and goodies that were held back during the public beta are integrated in, tested, polished, etc. 

Amongst the new features includes unique technology trees for each of the 12 major civilizations. This also means unique weapons, ships, planetary improvements, and much more for each civilization.  This has allowed us to greatly expand the story of each civilization.  Moreover, a new victory condition has been added called Ascension in which players can take control of the Ascension crystals (introduced in the campaign) for victory.  The graphics of Twilight of the Arnor have been completely revamped to bring the game's visuals to 2008 standards. Check out the screenshot below to get an idea.

We have set the launch date to be April 30th (late afternoon Eastern Standard Time) for the digital release. Twilight of the Arnor does require the first expansion pack (Dark Avatar) to run.  A bundle of the entire saga is available at a discount.  The final expansion pack to the most highly rated space-strategy game of all time is nearly here...


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The Graphics Difference:

image  vs. image

115,521 views 145 replies
Reply #52 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Another week? Can I hit the turn button now? *click*

Damn, now I have 22 constructors to launch.
CursorFX - Customize your Windows cursor
Reply #53 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Omg..i was sooo looking forward for tommorow to come ^^!...
They make good polished games thats for sure so ill wait. After 30th its my exam months. This sucks. Have to squeez in some time for this game i guess.
Reply #54 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
I honestly don't get why people are upset about this. Everyone usually rants how publishers push out unpolished titels, yet when a company takes the extra minute to really squash the last few bugs, they should just push it out the door?Keep in mind, TA is in PUBLIC BETA, which, for all accounts, probably is pretty close to the final product. There are constant updates about the curren status and what's being worked on.In the last poll, the majority voted 'make sure it's bug free' instead of 'keep the early release date'. So I really don't understand what the problem is...
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Annoying as it can be at times, I agree. I like the move towards "It'll be done when it's done" that's been ripping through the upper echolons of the gaming industry for the last couple of years.

Another good example is the upcoming Warhammer: Age of Reckoning (WAR) that explained in an interview that "You only get one chance". People can forgive, even forget, a pushed-up release date. But people NEVER forget a game that sucked because it kept crashing on their system. Years, or even just months later, someone may say "they've patched it up pretty well"; But that won't matter. The chance of a great first impression is gone. Forever.

A pushed-up release date is always preferable to a ruined first impression, even if they manage to patch the game to kingdom come within a month. And developers (not Stardock in particular) are finally realizing that.

So I'm annoyed as feck that the release date keeps being pushed back. But the better, more rational part of me accepts it, because it's for the best.
Reply #55 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
The Arnor get to be a race now, finally! So do they get their own ship style?
Reply #56 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
With the exception of the campaign, metaverse and a few editors...what else would one be waiting for from the current beta version? Yes, I know those 3 things are a lot...

Now, that assumes everyone is in the beta. This isn't true however. There are people who are awaiting a live release for the CD to install the game or just don't want to be playing a game in it's beta stages.

To those not in the beta, I could see where the WTF stance is in play. They have been waiting for this game since December and the beta testers (probably that majority that voted to push it back) "ruined" that for them.

My only issue with mesmashyou's post was the spelling out of the word. No need for obscenities. There are perfectly good alternatives to it: Frack, Fug, Frick, Feck, Firetruck, F, @#%$...the list goes on. The anger/resentment I could understand though.
Reply #57 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
With the exception of the campaign, metaverse and a few editors...what else would one be waiting for from the current beta version? Yes, I know those 3 things are a lot...Now, that assumes everyone is in the beta. This isn't true however. There are people who are awaiting a live release for the CD to install the game or just don't want to be playing a game in it's beta stages.To those not in the beta, I could see where the WTF stance is in play. They have been waiting for this game since December and the beta testers (probably that majority that voted to push it back) "ruined" that for them.My only issue with mesmashyou's post was the spelling out of the word. No need for obscenities. There are perfectly good alternatives to it: Frack, Fug, Frick, Feck, Firetruck, F, @#%$...the list goes on. The anger/resentment I could understand though.
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I've never understood the resentment to certain words, compared to various other words. If directed against a certain persona, the act itself could be considered (or not, depending on the situation) reprehensible, but I've just never understood the emphasis so many people, culturally, put on the meaning of certain words; "Fuck" being one of them.

I realize that's a discussion for another thread entirely, but I'd just like to point out that the first time I went "Fuck!" (can't even remember why) while surrounded by people natively speaking English, everyone staring almost in shock at me, I was taken aback by the overall seriousness.

All I'm saying is that this is the internets: Serious business. :D I, for example, as a Swede, may not put the same emphasis on a equally profane word in the Swedish tounge and therefore I am not prepared at the emphasis certain others put on equivilent words in other languages.

Cultural & linguistical differences and so forth. So take everything said with a pinch of salt, as others may not have meant any harm by the usage of a certain word. :)
Reply #58 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
I swear like a sailor IRL. That word is practically a comma for me.

I do try watch my mouth around children however. Children do play galciv I'm sure, they do browse this forum then as well you could assume.

That was the only reason I took objection. Now, back on topic...

The Arnor get to be a race now, finally! So do they get their own ship style?
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I could only guess so since they had that crystalline ship picture in the OP. Sure, that's not a in-game ship representation perhaps...but I don't see why they wouldn't get a new scheme just for the Arnorians....don't the DL have their own?
Reply #59 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
I honestly don't get it. Fuck is wrong, frack is good. It's the same word. It means the same thing. Does a naked woman seem less obscene if wearing socks? No. It's the same thing. But, if you all say so, then there you go.

What. The. Firetruck.
Reply #60 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Does a naked woman seem less obscene if wearing socks? No. It's the same thing.
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...depends if you're into feet... /snicker

Ok guys...lets see if we can get this back on topic.
Reply #61 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
"You only get one chance". People can forgive, even forget, a pushed-up release date. But people NEVER forget a game that sucked because it kept crashing on their system. Years, or even just months later, someone may say "they've patched it up pretty well"; But that won't matter
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You are absolutely right. And if you just do REALLY bad, you also get a hommage in another game like Driv3r in GTA San Andreas:

Quote from Sweet: "Damn, Reflections never got this finished. Tanner, you suck ass!"


P.S.: I am not into software developing - there is a beta version and a gamma version - does alpha exist as well? What does this nomenclature mean?
Reply #62 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Thank you Stardock. I guess I have time to complete my current game now :D I always start a new one with a new version. I was really looking forward to 1.0 tomorrow (23rd) but I absolutely accept your decision to polish it some more! As an above poster put it, you only get one launch. So keep up the amazing work, you guys rock!  :CONGRAT: I'll definately be buying GC3 when you get around to that one too  ;) !
Reply #64 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
I honestly don't get why people are upset about this...
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As others have said, yeah, it's not like we haven't been playing it for the past year as it is. By this point, you should know that

A.) Stardock does lengthy Betas and pushes back months on every release for quality.
B.) This is the second major expansion for GalCiv - if you don't know by now that you're going to buy it or not, based on past performance, there's something wrong with you.

So, given all of that, I see no reason for someone who didn't pre-order to have the grounds to complain. The Betas are pretty much full versions, and you know you're going to like it, so why don't you have it?

I've never understood the resentment to certain words...
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Whether you understand it or not shouldn't make that much of a difference. If you are in a forum where the culture doesn't seem to like it, you should censor yourself. It's just common courtesy. I temper my language here, because I know that it's more of a "family" atmosphere. Other sites, I don't. Then, there are places like Fark.com where they censor your posts for you. Long story short: Dropping the f-bomb here is in pretty poor taste.
Reply #65 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
As others have said, yeah, it's not like we haven't been playing it for the past year as it is. By this point, you should know that

A.) Stardock does lengthy Betas and pushes back months on every release for quality.
B.) This is the second major expansion for GalCiv - if you don't know by now that you're going to buy it or not, based on past performance, there's something wrong with you.

So, given all of that, I see no reason for someone who didn't pre-order to have the grounds to complain. The Betas are pretty much full versions, and you know you're going to like it, so why don't you have it?
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Some reasons stem from internet speed and it being better to have the bulk installed from a CD. There are still some who live in remote areas where Cable/DSL don't reach and satellite internet is too damned expensive last I looked.

Quality or not, people playing it for months in beta or not, some people just like to play a polished game, not a beta.
Reply #66 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Quality or not, people playing it for months in beta or not, some people just like to play a polished game, not a beta.
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I get that...I'm just saying, they should know how SD operates at this point and know what to expect.
Reply #67 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
I just want to express my Thanks to SD customer service for the swift processing of my order (the money-order got mailed just last wednesday!!).
I can now get TotA in SDC having the validated code handy within the eMail.


Reply #68 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
"You only get one chance". People can forgive, even forget, a pushed-up release date. But people NEVER forget a game that sucked because it kept crashing on their system. Years, or even just months later, someone may say "they've patched it up pretty well"; But that won't matterYou are absolutely right. And if you just do REALLY bad, you also get a hommage in another game like Driv3r in GTA San Andreas:Quote from Sweet: "Damn, Reflections never got this finished. Tanner, you suck ass!"P.S.: I am not into software developing - there is a beta version and a gamma version - does alpha exist as well? What does this nomenclature mean?
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As Loupdinour said, Alpha is usually a early-but-playable draft of the game, for internal testing. Beta tends to be testing outside of the studio itself, be it a "closed" public beta, "open" beta or a beta played by relatives/friends (invites only).

"Gamma" is used very rarely (I can't even remember when I heard the term the last time, but it's been used before, although sparingly) and is a reference used for the almost-finished product, right before release, or when the game has gone gold.
Reply #69 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
dup post ignore
Reply #70 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
People can forgive, even forget, a pushed-up release date. But people NEVER forget a game that sucked because it kept crashing on their system. Years, or even just months later, someone may say "they've patched it up pretty well"; But that won't matter. The chance of a great first impression is gone. Forever.
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Agreed. Civ4 did that to me - finally gave up on it 2 months after release - never loaded it back up again. Silver lining was that I found GalCiv to take it's place in my TBS game niche.

The Beta is playing fine - so I am not upset at all over the delays. Rather get it done right than a buggy initial release ala the Civ4 fiasco.
Reply #71 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Kay, i realized that i may have stepped on someone's foot with the gamma-test reference above... sorry, my mistake. And, since i can't even edit or delete that post it feels even more silly. Darn me.

In the meantime though, i went to D/L that paid version and it looks like i got to have this one (0.98c[b].001] which i believe is the last beta from 04/16.
Had to check the "pre-release" box (only 0.89xx was showing up!)and archived it as usual, just in case.

Now, it's only a matter of waiting until the 30th to logon for the final release version - that should give me a whole week of beta stuff runnings, just for kicks.

Sorry again if i offended anybody with the initial comment. Didn't know better anyway.
Reply #72 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
FYI, I haven't purchased the game yet and won't until its released, and I voted that they should delay it as long as necessary to get it as polished as possible. I know I'm going to buy it, so I'd like the product to be as nice as in can be when I do. And it's not like I don't have the time to wait.

<3 Stardock. No hassles and top quality. Couldn't ask for better.
Reply #73 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
I can't find the 'Legacy of the Telenanth' feature yet.
Reply #74 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
36 hours before release date you move it again. (By the time I got the news, it was less than 24 hours.)I know it's going to be good, but dear god, this was originally supposed to be out in December! You had a poll asking if people would prefer to wait until January. The majority (myself included) voted yes. Release date after release date has been missed. So very disappointed with Stardock. Yeah yeah, I know all the fanboys will start on at me now. Well sorry folks, I didn't get my complimentary Kool Aid packet when I pre-ordered. Must have got lost somewhere...
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I have to agree. Pushing the release date again and again its un-professional!
We all like you for the great job you do but would be much better if you had give a later date much later than you actually needed or you thought it was needed rather saying ok we need a couple months more and a few weeks more to fix these and few extra weeks to add these..
Of course 1 week is nothing but 4 months after the first release date on 25 Dec. its long time and you made it to last longer and longer by announcing new release dates.

Reply #75 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
36 hours before release date you move it again. (By the time I got the news, it was less than 24 hours.)I know it's going to be good, but dear god, this was originally supposed to be out in December! You had a poll asking if people would prefer to wait until January. The majority (myself included) voted yes. Release date after release date has been missed. So very disappointed with Stardock. Yeah yeah, I know all the fanboys will start on at me now. Well sorry folks, I didn't get my complimentary Kool Aid packet when I pre-ordered. Must have got lost somewhere...I have to agree. Pushing the release date again and again its un-professional!We all like you for the great job you do but would be much better if you had give a later date much later than you actually needed or you thought it was needed rather saying ok we need a couple months more and a few weeks more to fix these and few extra weeks to add these..Of course 1 week is nothing but 4 months after the first release date on 25 Dec. its long time and you made it to last longer and longer by announcing new release dates.
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True, plus Stardock got distracted in Febuary with Sins of a Solar Empire.