Galactic Civilizations III 1.9 Hotpatch (UPDATED 12/21)

Larsenex

Join Date 04/2009

+212

Nice, thank you!

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neilkaz

Join Date 06/2011

+9

Has anything been done to the other map sizes that were drastically reduced in 1.9?

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barrybeal

Join Date 04/2003

+5

Still need to fix the Arcean Navigator Guild Upgrades in Improvements.XLS - 2nd and 3rd Building are not marked as upgrades from the 1st. Also as previously reported the Assault Carrier Module for Starbases needs to increase the Assault fighter Cap not the Interceptor fighter Cap.

Also on my favorite subject of Fighters and Carriers - what does the BestDefense component in Shipblueprints do ? Shouldn't you have at least one level of shields, point defense and armor on all carriers for protection before adding additional defenses. Similarly for fighters shouldn't you have at least one level of all defenses if possible to give them some minimum protection. Also Assault and Guardian fighter blueprints come with no sublightdrives. While that might be okay at the beginning of most games in the later stages - with increases to ship capacity there would be room for defenses and sublight speed increases along with weapon upgrades. I know some dislike the current state of Carriers - you can add logistics and size and cost increases for Carrier modules to compensate but like in modern navy technology - modern warfare theory includes for carrier attack ships to complement and in some cases replace the reliance on large battleship type vessels with screen destroyers and anti-destroyer cruisers layers to your navy fleets.

The whole shipblueprint.xls file needs some more thought and tweaking to improve AI performance - it is good to see Brad working on the Regular game AI to make single player games more challenging.

Merry Christmas all thanks for your continued support.

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I appreciate your response to feedback for the Insane maps, but I think you really should take another look at all of the other map sizes as well. Despite the fact the non-insane are supposed to have 'higher density' of objects, I'm just not seeing it in-game. When I start up a game on Standard sized map in 1.8, I can typically get 3-4, maybe 5 habitable planets near enough to colonize before the rest of the races show up (4 opponents, no minors). Under 1.9, it's a push to be able to get 2-3 planets before we are all crammed together and and everything (and I mean every inhabitable rock) is colonized.

The 'Explore and Expand' phases of the game are virtually non-existent now. I understand that this may be the 'wave of the future', but IMO (and apparently others' as well, judging from the initial reaction) this is a huge step backwards for the game. It no longer feels like any form of 'epic' game, but more like a quick deathmatch on the standard settings.

Thanks again for listening, and I hope that eventually we can see at least a nice middle-ground between the old and the new.

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Rhonin_the_wizard

Join Date 10/2009

+188

Quoting neilkaz,

reply 2

Has anything been done to the other map sizes that were drastically reduced in 1.9?

No.

As I stated elsewhere this change will not solve people's grievances since Insane was the least affected map size.

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mortili

Join Date 05/2013

+19

You do realize that you can just take the next bigger map?

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Quoting mortili,

reply 6

You do realize that you can just take the next bigger map?

Except for Multiplayer maximum there is either Huge or Gigantic (forgot which one) but, I was more concerned with the SP Insane map thank you.

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Rhonin_the_wizard

Join Date 10/2009

+188

Quoting mortili,

reply 6

You do realize that you can just take the next bigger map?

I'm not bothered much since my favorite map size is Insane.

But if someone preferred to play on Gigantic, Immense or Excessive they are out of luck. The difference between Excessive and Insane is staggering.

Quoting Old-Spider,

reply 20

For everyone wondering about the galaxy sizes, they have been reduced in size by 29 to 80% in the 1.9 update.

When the game had the original galaxy sizes, some people with weak computers complained that they couldn't play the galaxy
sizes they wanted to play. As a result of these complaints, the sizes of the Large and Huge galaxies were reduced. I don't remember when that was, but it was a long time ago.

Here is a table with the original sizes, the sizes before the 1.9 update and the 1.9 sizes.

	Original		1.83		1.9		Ratios for 1.9/1.83		Reduction
Galaxy Size	HexSectorSize	Total Hexes	HexSectorSize	Total Hexes	HexSectorSize	Total Hexes	HexSectorSize	Total Hexes	in Hexes
Tiny	30	2,791	30	2,791	18	1,027	0.60	0.37	63.2%
Small	40	4,921	40	4,921	32	3,169	0.80	0.64	35.6%
Medium	60	10,981	60	10,981	40	4,921	0.67	0.45	55.2%
Large	90	24,571	75	17,101	60	10,981	0.80	0.64	35.8%
Huge	130	51,091	95	27,361	70	14,911	0.74	0.54	45.5%
Gigantic	180	97,741	180	97,741	80	19,441	0.44	0.20	80.1%
Immense	240	173,521	240	173,521	120	43,561	0.50	0.25	74.9%
Excessive	290	253,171	290	253,171	160	77,281	0.55	0.31	69.5%
Insane	380	434,341	380	434,341	320	308,161	0.84	0.71	29.1%

After I decided I didn't the like the change of the original sizes of the the Large and Huge galaxies, I made a mod for my use that restored the the original sizes. I have now made a mod that changes all the galaxy sizes in 1.9 back to the original sizes. Note that these are the original sizes, not the 1.83 sizes. The only file that was changed was the MapSizeDefs.xml. The only changes made were to the HexSectorSize values. It should be compatible with all mods that don't change the MapSizeDefs.xml file.

The 1.9 version of the game has been balanced for the new sizes, so I have no idea what will happen with this mod. I have used it only to make sure that is does change the galaxy sizes and doesn't crash. I am playing without this mod to see how everything works now. I have been enjoying the game in its current state without this mod. You may feel differently.

If you want to use this mod, you can get it here.

To install, unzip the file in your mods directory.

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Still crashing on load!

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mortili

Join Date 05/2013

+19

Quoting Rhonin_the_wizard,

reply 8

Quoting mortili,

reply 6

You do realize that you can just take the next bigger map?

I'm not bothered much since my favorite map size is Insane.

But if someone preferred to play on Gigantic, Immense or Excessive they are out of luck. The difference between Excessive and Insane is staggering.

Quoting Old-Spider,

reply 20

For everyone wondering about the galaxy sizes, they have been reduced in size by 29 to 80% in the 1.9 update.

When the game had the original galaxy sizes, some people with weak computers complained that they couldn't play the galaxy
sizes they wanted to play. As a result of these complaints, the sizes of the Large and Huge galaxies were reduced. I don't remember when that was, but it was a long time ago.

Here is a table with the original sizes, the sizes before the 1.9 update and the 1.9 sizes.

	Original		1.83		1.9		Ratios for 1.9/1.83		Reduction
Galaxy Size	HexSectorSize	Total Hexes	HexSectorSize	Total Hexes	HexSectorSize	Total Hexes	HexSectorSize	Total Hexes	in Hexes
Tiny	30	2,791	30	2,791	18	1,027	0.60	0.37	63.2%
Small	40	4,921	40	4,921	32	3,169	0.80	0.64	35.6%
Medium	60	10,981	60	10,981	40	4,921	0.67	0.45	55.2%
Large	90	24,571	75	17,101	60	10,981	0.80	0.64	35.8%
Huge	130	51,091	95	27,361	70	14,911	0.74	0.54	45.5%
Gigantic	180	97,741	180	97,741	80	19,441	0.44	0.20	80.1%
Immense	240	173,521	240	173,521	120	43,561	0.50	0.25	74.9%
Excessive	290	253,171	290	253,171	160	77,281	0.55	0.31	69.5%
Insane	380	434,341	380	434,341	320	308,161	0.84	0.71	29.1%

After I decided I didn't the like the change of the original sizes of the the Large and Huge galaxies, I made a mod for my use that restored the the original sizes. I have now made a mod that changes all the galaxy sizes in 1.9 back to the original sizes. Note that these are the original sizes, not the 1.83 sizes. The only file that was changed was the MapSizeDefs.xml. The only changes made were to the HexSectorSize values. It should be compatible with all mods that don't change the MapSizeDefs.xml file.

The 1.9 version of the game has been balanced for the new sizes, so I have no idea what will happen with this mod. I have used it only to make sure that is does change the galaxy sizes and doesn't crash. I am playing without this mod to see how everything works now. I have been enjoying the game in its current state without this mod. You may feel differently.

If you want to use this mod, you can get it here.

To install, unzip the file in your mods directory.

Seeing the numbers... yeah it is, never noticed, since im also a insane-only player^^

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Hmm, no reversion for the other galaxy sizes? <sigh>. The new small map sizes are significantly less supportive of exploration strategies. Good thing we have a patch to restore the old values.

Other than the ability to improve performance, was there any other reason to shrink the galaxy so much?

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I am not a regular forum reader but 1.9 warrants a reply. The entire 'map size/map density' rework is the most poorly thought out patch of any game I've ever played. I've explored less than 5% of the galaxy and encountered 50% of the alien races, all of which are competing for the lone class 6 planet still available anywhere near my home world in turn 26. You've eliminated the concepts of expansion and exploration from the game. You might as well eliminate the research tree's advanced techs as well since we'll be at war using tiny ship with one laser to try and survive. It feels more like we're in an overcrowded ghetto than a galaxy.

Putting this game on the back burner until I hear you've actually tried to improve it instead of destroy it.

Very poorly thought out patch! No more DLC required until it's worth playing again.

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Quoting dlapine1,

reply 11

Hmm, no reversion for the other galaxy sizes? . The new small map sizes are significantly less supportive of exploration strategies. Good thing we have a patch to restore the old values.

Quoting mmdrew,

reply 12

It feels more like we're in an overcrowded ghetto than a galaxy.

If the maps are too crowded, attempt to change the galaxy settings instead of abundant everything change to common ect.. Until you get the spacing you prefer. Changing the size (smaller) and the object count (higher) does pack the map closer together. So if it's too full easy way to fix is to adjust the game settings accordingly, correct?

Quoting dlapine1,

reply 11

Other than the ability to improve performance, was there any other reason to shrink the galaxy so much?

Stardock has stated time and again that far more people play on the smaller maps than the larger maps, so this could be a push to them?? I'm sure performance is part of it but, the reasoning of the changing in the galaxy sizes weren't clearly revealed as to the why. My argument against the whole more people play SP or more players play smaller maps or even most larger game maps never come to completion can be found in this post...

https://forums.galciv3.com/481105

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There is a mod to revert the galaxy size and I do use it. That's not unreasonable. The simple fact that the game can be easily updated and modded is one reason why I'm a founder for GalcivIII.

What would be excellent is if the game options now included a "crowded" and 'normal" toggle so I don't have to grab a mod. Of course, that assumes that there is no driving reason to make crowded mode the default style of gameplay. That's why I inquired; if there is some functional issue that forced the change, any mods built to revert the spacing should know about it.

mmdrew- just grab the mod mentioned above to revert the sizes of all galaxies.- you'll find the game quite playable again.

Thanks.

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shaw

Join Date 07/2015

+96

We've updated the game again to reverted the "Large" and bigger maps back to their 1.8 size.

+2

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Avatar137

Join Date 06/2004

+48

Quoting pshaw,

reply 15

We've updated the game again to reverted the "Large" and bigger maps back to their 1.8 size.

Thank you!

EDIT: Wow, not sure about anyone else but this is the worst patch I've ever experienced since release. The game locks up my computer hard when I load one of my saved games and try to play, also turns off all my monitors while leaving the music playing in the background requiring hitting the reset button on the front of my case... tried it twice with the same results.

EDIT#2: Apologies, it seems that my video driver got automatically updated this day without my knowledge. Reverting back to the previous one fixed my issue...

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neilkaz

Join Date 06/2011

+9

Quoting pshaw,

reply 15

We've updated the game again to reverted the "Large" and bigger maps back to their 1.8 size.

Thank you very much for listening to the majority of your fan base!

+1

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Rhonin_the_wizard

Join Date 10/2009

+188

Quoting Avatar137,

reply 16

EDIT: Wow, not sure about anyone else but this is the worst patch I've ever experienced since release. The game locks up my computer hard when I load one of my saved games and try to play, also turns off all my monitors while leaving the music playing in the background requiring hitting the reset button on the front of my case... tried it twice with the same results.

Submit a support ticket. I've had no problems with the patch.

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Nice, I hadn't considered that option, but that should work just fine.

Thanks for your quick and reasonable response

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OK, another step in the right direction, but to me it would just make more sense to revert the change on all of the map sizes so as to not have a massive size jolt between Medium and below and Large+. It seems pretty clear that this has not been an overly positive change (I have yet to say anyone actually LIKE it).

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Larsenex

Join Date 04/2009

+212

Quoting Uncle_Joe,

reply 20

OK, another step in the right direction, but to me it would just make more sense to revert the change on all of the map sizes so as to not have a massive size jolt between Medium and below and Large+. It seems pretty clear that this has not been an overly positive change (I have yet to say anyone actually LIKE it).

^^^ Joe, most of us on the forums are 'powerusers' of Gal Civ and long time civ players. From what I have read the majority of the steam player base plays on maps large and below.

The thought to come away from this is that even though we are vocal on the forums (you, me, Seilore, horemore and many many others) we probably represent a tiny percentage of the actual player base. I am ok with the changes in density and the fact that maps were made smaller. I like many here only play on insane and would just mod it back if Stardock felt it was needed to stay small. In the end I think we all got what we wanted.

Now about that DLC that should be an Expand Alone. I did not follow the flames from the Ashes storm and fail to see why promoting Crusade should not be an expand alone. Just put up a banner on the box that says....'Fundamentally changes the game.. DO NOT INSTALL IF YOU HAVE TO USE THE WHEEL TO WIN/PLAY"

Anyway, I am sure Frogboy knows far more about marketing than I do. I sell plants/trees and the uh, uniformed folks I deal with are a pure joy!

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Quoting Larsenex,

reply 21

Anyway, I am sure Frogboy knows far more about marketing than I do. I sell plants/trees and the uh, uniformed folks I deal with are a pure joy!

Don't you know all of your customers are experts in your profession and know better than you

+1

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tried to load a saved game this afternoon (after steam updated game again) and when I choose a game to load it starts the spinning galaxy then it CTD

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Quoting Seilore,

reply 22

Quoting Larsenex,

reply 21

Anyway, I am sure Frogboy knows far more about marketing than I do. I sell plants/trees and the uh, uniformed folks I deal with are a pure joy!

Don't you know all of your customers are experts in your profession and know better than you

And when they're Founders too....

Well, that's just "Yes, sir! No, sir! Three bags full, sir!" time. The devs would do well to remember that. We's payses theirs wages...

Like Larsenex, not sure about the whole idea of standalone v expandalone v DLC thing but I guess what's central is Stardocks's treatment of "Crusade", leaving aside any discussion about the exact definitions and parameters of what makes something DLC as opposed to what makes it standalone as opposed to what makes it an expandalone (restrict your answer to 500 words, essays on my desk Monday ), is AIUI, from a money point of view they're treating it as DLC ie forgoing income due to the AOTS issue.

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