oh how I love that you love this game; we are very lucky for it.  Sounds very cool Mr. Frogboy, very cool indeed.

Well... ifin it ain't the end of the line yet, hows about we talk abit about maps. Ya see my spies seem to think they can git copies of sombody elses maps and expand my knowledge of the known universe, but ya'll just won't let em send it my way. hint hint..and my ambassadors tell me they think that maybe they could sweet talk them there maps outta them alien map rooms if only you'd let me throw some credits around. Just a little sumthin ta ponder while yer tinkerin about with yer bug killin tweanky thingamabob. Tanks fer yer consideration on this here point.

Any other 'enhancements' (new features or corrections) in further minor versions should be expected *until* you & us are completely satisfied with the gameplay state.

There are small (or more complex) issues still to fix in a number of areas (beta testers and regular players will always suggest much of what possibly needs to done - if that is followed up by coders or deemed feasible for stability & what else)... fine-tuning, complete overhaul of specifics.

If you have monitored our concerns carefully, our most important *wishes* should be answered -- eventually.

GC3 might very well become a different product, in the meantime... versions 2.??? can only add values to an already solid game.

Although, perfection will never be achieved. Don't try. Too many variables & personal opinions.

Nothing stops Stardock from KEEPING their fanbase (and precious customers, btw) happy with even more innovative ideas.

We (and I) simply trust you.

So..... 1.99.5(rc) - next week?

@Loup: Yes, it affects the cost. There is a multiplier depending on the speed you pick at start.  Normal is 100% of cost (so whatever the cost would be listed as in the tech tree, ie 100), I haven't looked at the numbers exactly but I think Very Fast is about 60% of cost, and I have no idea on Very Slow (because I've never played at the speed outside of maybe a MVL game)

It's goig to be awhile before there's a GalCiv III.  First we have to do the fantasy strategy game. Then we can look and see what to make after that.

But I will be tweaking GalCiv II for some time to come as I play it.

But there's so much I want to do in a GalCiv III that aren't in GalCiv II and really can't.  GalCiv III would be a very different animal than II.

You wouldn't happen to have a top 10 list made already? You know, something you can show us (with a warning it would be subject to change for any reason), or is it too early for that?

*cough*

Not cheating to put research at 100% while increasing research speed, and put it at 0% while decreasing it?

*cough*

It is both micromanageable and abusable, that's the problem...

By 2.0 and beyond, are we just talking about TA or are there future chnages to DA as well?

Once you've gotten all the techs youwant or need, you can effectively stop the AI from getting anymore techs. Say once I get the final weapon and defence techs and everything else I want and the AI is still far behind I can stop all research for everyone.

I may even consider purchasing the upcoming Fantasy title (Please give us a Journal log about current status and development progress, asap).

GCIII would be an Animal?

Oh, well... Hybrid stuff could open these 'concepts' soooo much, i highly doubt the SD team wouldn't gain enough but extremely good experience to actually fuse some Fantasy/TBS4X features together - for the best!

Which is risky.

But, offers great (i'm being conservative with that term) gameplay perspectives.

In the meantime, any GC2 "fixes" should certainly fill up some needs; I sure want the Surface_Tiles/Image_Queries flaw issue resolved and could certainly use enhanced Editors while hoping about optional green & blue hardpoints in the ShipYard (external or not) interface!

Heck... prove me that they (some AIs, btw) don't do it already - indirectly!

And so what?  It's still a single player game, the AI is hardly going to care if you "cheat".  Meanwhile, more options for the player is always a good thing IMO.