AI WARS & And Release Dates!

Gold Date is coming...

https://www.galciv2.com/Journals.aspx
from GalCiv2 Forums

We are quickly coming up to the day when Galactic Civilizations II: Dark Avatar goes gold.

With the last beta being nearly feature complete, work has begun to be totally focused on making the computer AI make full use of the new features as well as make use of the new options that take advantage of Dualcore and Quadcore machines.

As some people know, the AI in GalCiv is not scripted but is instead based on a series of adaptive algorithms based on trying to play similar to a human player (or at least a human player who is role playing as an alien race).  Each player has its own unique artificial intelligence engine which runs in multiple dedicated threads.

To see a running tab on how the computer players are doing, see the Journals area. There you will see the AI do stupid things and see how we tweak the algorithms so that it makes better decisions (usually based on making sure it has more information to make a decision on).

Galactic Civilizations II: Dark Avatar will be released on February 14th. It is an on-line only release (i.e. you can only get it on its own here -- CD or digital download).  Users who pre-order it will be able to start getting it early (how early we can't say yet).

30,540 views 28 replies
Reply #1 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Wootege for the preeorderers!!!

Any other changes since the beta?
Reply #2 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
It is a digital only release


So does that mean there is now no longer an option to download and get a CD shipped?
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Reply #3 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Still only digital download? That sucks. Ah well, guess I'll have to be happy with the original.
Reply #4 from GalCiv2 Forums Top

You can get the boxed shipped to you. What we mean is that the stand-alone expansion won't be offered at retail.

 

Reply #5 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Well, a few things I don't mind scripting on- namely if it keeps the AI from doing stupid that a human would never do- like building a starport on a manufacturing bonus tile...

Reply #6 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Oooh, goodie! I can't wait for random-date-before-february-14!

One question about the starship intelligence report: where do those description texts for the systems come from? Are they premade, or written by the person who designed the ship?
Reply #7 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
I was wondering if we can get an AI only game, or is it just a dev debug mode thing?
Reply #8 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
If its a "digital only" release, then what was that extra 5 bucks I paid for shipping and handling when I pre-ordered ([Edit]) nevermind, Brad answered that above...you really need to clarify that statement in the original post[edit]

But why did I never get a confirmation email? (got a confirmation number at end of order, that was it).
Reply #9 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
But why did I never get a confirmation email? (got a confirmation number at end of order, that was it).


If you're not sure of your order's status, you can contact [email protected] to check.
Reply #10 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Another clarification. When it says pre-orders can "start getting it early", does that mean pre orders will be able to play the (non-beta) game some point prior to the 14th, or does this just refer to the typical "pre-loading"(unplayable content files) tease?


I just found out there will be no epic generator anymore, and no beta access for my pre-order. It would be nice to get a little something for the vote of confidence( like being able to play a couple days early). I know, greedy and all...but no greedier than soliciting payment for something that doesnt exist yet
Reply #11 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
know, greedy and all...but no greedier than soliciting payment for something that doesnt exist yet


You don't get charged (at least not permanently) until there's something you can actually download. So at this point a preorder is basically just a promise to buy it as soon as it's available
Reply #12 from GalCiv2 Forums Top

You don't get charged (at least not permanently) until there's something you can actually download. So at this point a preorder is basically just a promise to buy it as soon as it's available


I take it by your non-answer that its just pre loading unplayable content files then?
Reply #13 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
I take it by your non-answer that its just pre loading unplayable content files then?


That I don't know. All I'm saying is that we don't historically charge preorders until something is available either way. There may be a hold put on for the amount temporarily, but the charge won't be completed.
Reply #14 from GalCiv2 Forums Top

One question about the starship intelligence report: where do those description texts for the systems come from? Are they premade, or written by the person who designed the ship?

The descriptions are in the gc2types.xml file and are based on the model type. I wrote the descriptions in there but players can change them too.

Reply #15 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
I have a question:

There won't be a retail version and you reach gold status "soon". So, why the release of February 14th? Unlike the release of GalCiv2:DL, this time there are no retail shops that would be "not amused" if you released it earlier online. So, why? There is no "gold" phase for downloadable content, after all. Sure, you have to produce the CDs you're going to ship out but I don't see why the download version has to be delayed because of that.
Reply #17 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
You don't get charged (at least not permanently) until there's something you can actually download. So at this point a preorder is basically just a promise to buy it as soon as it's available


Well, the deduction in my account balance upon pre-order suggests youre arguing semantics here(the net effect is the same), but thats neither here nor there. I wasnt complaining about the practice of taking pre-orders (hence my playful winky face), just pointing out that we're all self-interested in our own ways.


All I wanted to know, and still do as its gone unanswered, is if pre-orders being able to "start getting it early" means actually being able to play the gold version game at some point prior to the 14th, or just refers to pre loading unplayable game content files for shorter downloads on release day. The language (like the phrase "on-line only release"...it should be "online purchase") isnt clear.


The above posters question about why the game cant be availiable for download as soon as its gold (and packaged for download obviously), when there are no third party retailer concerns, is valid too. Id be interested in a response to that for educational purposes.


Thanks!




Reply #18 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
There won't be a retail version and you reach gold status "soon". So, why the release of February 14th? Unlike the release of GalCiv2:DL, this time there are no retail shops that would be "not amused" if you released it earlier online. So, why? There is no "gold" phase for downloadable content, after all. Sure, you have to produce the CDs you're going to ship out but I don't see why the download version has to be delayed because of that.

The above posters question about why the game cant be availiable for download as soon as its gold (and packaged for download obviously), when there are no third party retailer concerns, is valid too. Id be interested in a response to that for educational purposes.



There *is* a retail version. Just not of DA alone.

The Gold Edition of GalCiv II will be available in North America at retail for $39.95 at various retailers including: Gamestop / EB Games, Best Buy, Circuit City, Fry's Electronics and others. It will contain both GalCiv II and Dark Avatar, plus include a hotkey fold-out card and a vastly updated game manual (nearly 100 pages).

If you've already bought GalCiv II at retail, you can make use of a $10 mail-in rebate that's included in the box. The rebate is valid until April 15, 2007 if I remember correctly and you will need your original GalCiv II manual cover as proof of purchase (along with a copy of your Gold Edition sales receipt, etc.).

So if you would rather get DA at retail, you will have that option. If you utilize the rebate you can get it for the same price as the downloadable "DA-only" version.
Reply #19 from GalCiv2 Forums Top

There won't be a retail version and you reach gold status "soon". So, why the release of February 14th? Unlike the release of GalCiv2:DL, this time there are no retail shops that would be "not amused" if you released it earlier online. So, why? There is no "gold" phase for downloadable content, after all. Sure, you have to produce the CDs you're going to ship out but I don't see why the download version has to be delayed because of that.

Because of marketing. There's a lot of stuff that has to be put together for that.  Also, like I mentioned, those who pre-order WILL get it earlier than Feb 14. We just don't know how much earlier yet.

Reply #20 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
[Deleted] Brad posted right before I did. Thanks Brad!

BTW, open the beta back up for pre orders, and Ill have something better to do that lurk on the boards asking annoying questions all day
Reply #21 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Feb 14th!!!!!!!!!!!

Yay! Now I will have something to do on Valentine's Day   
Reply #22 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
After reading some of the petty complaints in this forum, I must remind players of galciv2 that they should feel fortunate to be receiving what appears to be a fine update to our beloved game in the very near future. Also, I think they forget it is not common on wargaming sites to have such timely responses to player posts from the producers of the game like the ones you can see here at galciv2.

Perhaps for their pre-order, the cry babies should be sent a small box of virtual tissues since they apparently can't understand why everything does go exactly as they think it should.

Yours in galciv2,
Commander Draxas
Reply #23 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
After reading some of the petty complaints in this forum, I must remind players of galciv2 that they should feel fortunate to be receiving what appears to be a fine update to our beloved game in the very near future. Also, I think they forget it is not common on wargaming sites to have such timely responses to player posts from the producers of the game like the ones you can see here at galciv2.

Perhaps for their pre-order, the cry babies should be sent a small box of virtual tissues since they apparently can't understand why everything does go exactly as they think it should.



I dont see anyone crying here. Ive only seen some people asking question or for clarifications on some written statements. If youre going to sell a product, youve got to be prepared to support it and answer questions in a timely fashion, and for the most part thats what Stardock has done pretty well here. Thats *expected*, not a gift from god on high, and not to diminish SDs record of doing so.

Only person crying like a baby here is you, champ.

Reply #24 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
I just found out there will be no epic generator anymore


Is Binglack right about this?

I understood that it wasn't ready for primetime when I first DLed the beta, but I was really looking forward to seeing this in the release version.

Reply #25 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Any estimate on how large of a download this will be?