No Game Left Behind: Stardock Brings Update to GalCiv II!

v2.20 improves AI, Balance, and Gameplay

Published on December 17, 2015 By Island Dog In GalCiv II News

The crew here at Stardock cares a lot about our community and the games that we produce for you.

That's why we're pleased to announce that version 2.20 for Galactic Civilizations II
is available for you today!

Even when a title is "finished" and put out to market, there are always little things we find that could use a tweak or a change here and there. We also know what it's like to enjoy an old game so much that you keep going back to it, even when there are newer and "better" versions of it out there.

With help of some awesome community members, the Dev Team has taken all of the suggestions and implemented them into this update. You can find he entire change log (spoiler alert: it's long!) at the bottom of this post.

A few words from our CEO and President, Brad Wardell:

"It was awesome being able to work with the fans to integrate years of their own mods and tweaks into the base game. They also gave me a long list of areas where they thought I could improve the AI, which I used to dig into the now 10 year old AI source code base to implement."

We hope you enjoy the update. We have an awesome community here at Stardock and are so very happy that you're a part of it. Have a great holiday season!

Special Thanks

To Antonio "Mabus" Invernizzi, Gaunathor, SilasOfBorg, Kamil "OShee" Bober, DARCA1213, Sam "MarvinKosh" Edwards. Steffem "Maiden666" Jenter, MarvinKosh, Leiavoia, Frogboy and everyone else who helped out!

Version 2.20 Change Log

[ Gameplay ]

General

The Capital now increases Morale to 35 (up from 25) and Economy to 25 (up from 10)
Advanced Hulls is now unlocked from Basic Logistics
Life Support is now unlocked from Advanced Hulls
Several techs moved to improve AI use
Mind Control Center moved to Concept of Malice
Shrine of the Mithrillar now gives a 10% population growth bonus civ-wide
Shrine of Tandis now gives a 10% morale bonus civ-wide
Information Warfare tech now requires Advanced Diplomacy (instead of Planetary Invasion)
Temporal Mechanics cost increased from 10 to 30
Hyperion Packages cost increased from 10 to 30
Entertainment Center now requires Innovative History
Slave Pits, Slave Labs, Collectives and Maintenance Grid have had their costs adjusted
Research Matrix bonus decreased from 12 to 10
School maintenance increased from 1 to 2
University maintenance increased from 2 to 3
Space Weapons no longer grants a Military bonus
Economic Direction Unit bonus reduced from 50 to 25
Ultra Spices now requires Extreme Entertainment instead of Xeno Cultural Trends
Merchant Trade Complexes cost increased from 800 to 1100
Buffed Tier 1/2 starbase attack modules and battlestations 4; removed Singularity Armor
Neutrality Learning Center cost increased from 500 to 1000
Cultural Enlightenment no longer has a pre-req; moved to Pure Research
Healing Pools now requires Planetary Improvements; cost decreased from 300 to 100
Nano Materials now requires Basic Space Construction
Advanced Philosophy now requires University
Enhanced Adaptation cost increased to 150/450/600
Robust Hull Construction now provides 15 HP (up from 10)
Precursor Library cost decreased from 400 to 100
Miniaturization techs bonuses updated to be better
Empathic Tactical Center now grants a defense bonus of 25% instead of an attack bonus of 20%
Various weapons rebalancing
Plus much much more adjustments. See the Progressive Changelog for more.

Terran Alliance

Changed default alignment from 50 to 75
Now start as Mercantile political party
Starts with +10 Economics, -10 Social Production, +25 Trade and 12 Logistics (up from 6)
Starting techs changed to: HyperDrive, Industrial Revolution, Fusion Reactors, Traditional Research, Innovative History, Capitalism and Basic Space Construction
Terrains gain a 10% bonus to propulsion and diplomacy research

Drengin Empire

Now starts game as War Party political party
Starts with: +10 Military Production, -30 Diplomacy (increased from -25), 20 Loyalty (up from 0) and 14 Logistics (up from 7)
Starting techs changed to: Fusion Reactors, Ruthless History, HyperDrive, Stellar Cartography, Specialized Research, Capitalism and Traditional Slavery.
Propaganda Machine is now a special project
New invasion tactic added (version of Information Warfare)
Drengin suffer a 50% penalty to trade techs; and a 100% penalty to diplomatic techs

Altarian Resistance

Now starts game as Pacifists political party
Starts with: +10 Luck (up from 0), 10 Logistics (up from 5)
Starting techs changed to: HyperDrive, Industrial Revolution, Fusion Reactors, Traditional Research, A History of Benevolence, Stellar Cartography, Capitalism and Basic Space Construction.
Social Matrix is now a special project
Altarians gain a 20% bonus in Labs research

Arcean Empire

Now starts game as War Party political party
Starts with: +10 Economics, +10 Morale, +20 Military Production, +30 Ship HP (up from +20), +20 Soldiering (up from +10), +25 Courage, +20 Loyalty and 20 Logistics (up from 8).
Starting techs changed to: Glorious History, Fusion Reactors, HyperDrive, Industrial Revolution, Stellar Cartography, Traditional Research, Capitalism and Basic Space Construction.
Stellar Forge and Cathedral of Valor are now special projects
Arceans now gain a 20% bonus to Hull and Logistics research
Arceans now gain:

15 HP from Superior Hulls (up from 10)
20 HP from Master Hull Building (up from 15)
15 HP from Reinforced Hull Design (up from 10)
15 HP from Hardened Hull Design (up from 10)

Torian Confederation

Now starts as the Populists political party
Starts with: +30 Loyalty, 16 Logistics (up from 8)
Starting techs changed to: Torian History, Fusion Reactors, HyperDrive, Stellar Cartography, Inherited Technology, Capitalism and Basic Space Construction.
Can now research Advanced Aquatic World Colonization cheaper
Aquatic Transport Station is now a special project
Torians now suffer a 20% penalty to Hull research
Changed Advanced Computing requirement to University (from Scientific Method Implementation)
Changed Planetary Improvements and Enhanced Adaptation to require Basic Space Construction
Added Basic Space Construction with cost 75
Xeno Communications now requires Cultural Enlightenment

Yor Collective

Now starts game as the Industrialist political party
Starts with: -30 to Diplomacy and 12 Logistics (up from 6)
Maintenance Grid and Distributed Energy Matrix are now special projects
New invasion tactic: Terror Drones (Cost 250, 20% bonus to attack, 25% improvement damage)
Yor now can a 20% advantage in Labs research

Dominion of Korx

Now starts as the Mercantile political party
Starts with: +15 Economics, +10 Diplomacy and 12 Logistics (up from 6)
Starting techs changed to: A History of Mercantilism, HyperDrive, Stellar Cartography, Industrial Revolution, Fusion Reactors, Traditional Research, Capitalism and Basic Space Construction.
Festival of Capitalism, Mercenary Academy and Freighter Command are now special projects
Korx gain a 20% bonus to economic research

Drath Legion

Changed default alignment from 75 to 50
Now starts as the Populists political party
Starts with: +25 Espionage (up from 0) and 16 Logistics (up from 8)
Starting techs changed to: Way of the Drath, Industrial Revolution, Basic Space Construction, HyperDrive, Fusion Reactors, Traditional Research, Stellar Cartography and Capitalism.
Drath gain a 20% bonus to diplomatic research

Thalan Empire

Now starts as the Technologists political party
Starts with: -50 Population Growth (increased from -30), +40 Loyalty and 12 Logistics (up from 6)
Starting techs changed to: Fusion Reactors, HyperDrive, Stellar Cartography, New Propulsion, Artificial Gravity, Xeno Biology, Xeno Medicine, Xeno Engineering, Hyperion Packages, Temporal Mechanics and Interstellar Construction.
Gaia Vortex and Church of Valor are now special projects
New invasion tactic: Mechanized Warriors (Cost 250, 50%/90% min/max bonus to attack, 100% improvement damage)
Thalan suffer a 50% penalty to trade and diplomatic research

Iconian Refuge

Now starts as the Federalists political party
Starts with: +10 Morale (decreased from 20), +20 Research, 0 Espionage (decreased from 100), -5 Soldiering (decreased from 0) and 16 Logistics (up from 10)
Precursor Library is now a special project
Expert Engineering is now unlocked after Advanced Hulls
Soil Enhancement, Xeno Biology and Space Mining moved to the Enhanced Adaptation tree
Iconians gain a 20% bonus to terraforming research

Korath Clan

Now starts game as War Party political party
Starts with: -30 Diplomacy (decreased from 0), +10 HP (decreased from 20), +30 Soldiering (increased from 10) and 14 Logistics (increased from 7)
Starting techs changed to: Fusion Reactors, Ruthless History, HyperDrive, Stellar Cartography, Specialized Research, Traditional Slavery and Black Market.
Graft of Ages is now a special project
New invasion tactic added (version of Information Warfare)
Korath suffer a 50% penalty to trade techs and a 200% penalty to diplomacy research

Krynn Consulate

Now starts as the Universalists political party
Starts with: -15 Research (decreased from 0) and 12 Logistics (increased from 6)
Starting techs changed to: HyperDrive, Industrial Revolution, Basic Space Construction, Fusion Reactors, Traditional Research, The Path, Stellar Cartography, and Capitalism.
Super Spy Training Center, Temple of Espionage, and Oracle of Krynn are now special projects.
Krynn suffer a 20% penalty to labs research but gain a 20% bonus to government research

Minor Races

Changes to various minor races that play more into their background lore. Watch out for the Snathi!

[ Graphics ]

Updated race colors for Iconian Refuge and Krynn Consulate
Improved Rally Point indicator
Various UI tweaks

[ AI ]

Each race's AI has been tuned to better match their background lore and relative strengths
All AI opponents will now use the maximum amount of CPU possible

Comments (Page 7)

Jafo

on Dec 30, 2015

auboy105

reply 90

I submitted a support ticket to get the Ultimate Upgrade but have not heard anything?

Please give the guys a few days to get back to you as Stardock is on the Xmas-New Year break...

kwobbe

on Jan 01, 2016

Same old same old...original owners have an all but impossible time to update.

A link to download would be far to complex...gotta rebuy though steam or deal with the old converted nonsense of failed suppliers.

Best part is how bad the gamestop site is...click twice because the 1st click takes you to ebgames ads...the second takes you somewhere else.

Pure garbage.

Actually one of the reasons I never bothered with Civ-III...no point in buying in early...the games are modder supported...the devs just grant their blessing of sorts.

Hollow Man

on Jan 01, 2016

I admit that I was at first disappointed that Stardock did not make a point of ensuring us old SDC/Impulse customers had instant access to the patch. But giving me a free Steam key within a few days is a nice compromise. Rather than be upset, just put in a ticket, and I'm sure they'll help once they're back from the holiday.

Or if you're really, REALLY impatient to play it right NOW, at only $4 on Steam via the holiday sale, that's a great deal.

-HM

DMF

on Jan 03, 2016

The stand-alone GC2 UE update was available in my Account. (As was the Steam note, but I hate Steam and don't use it. I can't recall a product with a less user-friendly UI.) Downloaded and installed 2.20 in a new location. All the options that I had selected for 2.04 were in effect when running the new version (one presumes that they are saved in ProgramData...). Reset to No Mods to see what Stardock has did.

Very nice changes overall. Not the least being that the AIs are not nearly as OCD as they were. OTOH, I've been playing on Tolmekian's mods for so long that I may have forgotten the original tech tree.

BUT

Is it true that there are NO defensive modules for starbases?

I've pushed through large chunks of both the Thalan and Altarian trees, and in no case (Mining, Eco, Military) can I apply a module with a starbase defense factor. Whaaat??

michaelhoggan

on Jan 04, 2016

I had the same problem downloading from chrome (I have the ultimate edition if that matters). I just switched over to firefox and it worked fine!

Thanks to maiden for the info about the map editor. I'll hold off playing since the mod community seems to have some updates to the patch that they want to make soon.

Maiden666

on Jan 04, 2016

DMF

reply 94

BUT
Is it true that there are NO defensive modules for starbases?

I've pushed through large chunks of both the Thalan and Altarian trees, and in no case (Mining, Eco, Military) can I apply a module with a starbase defense factor. Whaaat??

This was the result of some extensive thinking on how to find a good way to balance starbase weaponry... because:

- The AI prioritizes to destroy enemy starbases - no matter how strong they are

- Even if a fleet is unsuccessfully attacking one, he will send another, and another...

- So if you just give a starbase enough defenses, perhaps in conjunction with a good hitpoint rating, and some repair... then your starbase will become invincible - and it will wreck most AI military and his MMR. This was esp. the case with Thalans who get all SB mods at once.

To fix that, we gave SBs only offensive power. They still can take down strong fleets, but they will (always) suffer, at least, some minor hitpoint loss from the first round initial attack. Thus, if an AI decides to continously send ships against a SB, it will fall sooner or later.

You (or the AI) may still counter-act that by sending a constructor to a SB and applying the SB Repair Kit-module - its cost has been reduced (from 200 to 100) and its hitpoints-healing increased (from 20 to 50) to make it worthwhile.

Gaunathor

on Jan 04, 2016

Maiden666

reply 96

To fix that, we gave SBs only offensive power.

What are you talking about? There still are defensive modules. They are unlocked by Shields III, ECM III, Duranthium III, Superior Force Fields, PD Combo III, and Ultimate Adamantium.

AP3 10

on Jan 04, 2016

What a great form of staff training and development. showing the team 10 years on the Stardock way. Very impressive execution and great use of staff CPD, new assignment and new Team Development training.

Really Great, enjoyed this game loads and pleased Stardock is wrenching future value out of its back catalogued

Maiden666

on Jan 04, 2016

Gaunathor

reply 97

There still are defensive modules. They are unlocked by Shields III, ECM III, Duranthium III, Superior Force Fields, PD Combo III, and Ultimate Adamantium.

Sorry, so I stand corrected. Still, they've been nerfed considerably, and I can understand why a Thalan player not getting any SB defense mods w/o researching into defense, as previously they got Singularity Armour which now is attack...

100

Sto6612

on Jan 04, 2016

Derek you wrote:

"If you don't own Galactic Civilizations II: Ultimate Edition, but you own an earlier version through Stardock feel free to contact support and we will upgrade you to the Ultimate Edition for free so you can get the new patch."

But the reply I got Stardock Customer care:

"I'm not seeing any expansions for GC2 on your account. Just the base game. Unfortunately I wouldn't be able to upgrade you to the Ultimate Edition. If you had the expansions, I'd be able to though."

Can't get the update I would love the see the new improvements on this.

Juha

101

Hollow Man

on Jan 04, 2016

Sto6612

reply 100

But the reply I got Stardock Customer care:

"I'm not seeing any expansions for GC2 on your account. Just the base game. Unfortunately I wouldn't be able to upgrade you to the Ultimate Edition. If you had the expansions, I'd be able to though."

Can't get the update

I would love the see the new improvements on this.

Juha

Do you own Dark Avatar and Arnor? If so, you'll have to work with Stardock to get them to acknowledge this to get the update. Otherwise, well, you missed your opportunity to get GalCiv2 Ultimate for $4 (which is beyond cheap if you don't own the expansions).

-HM

102

DMF

on Jan 04, 2016

Thanks for the explanation. While I understand the thinking behind weakening SBs, seems to me that the real fix would be to remove the tumor from the AI's brain: de-prioritize SB attacks. Starbases are rarely determinate anyway. (Likely easier said than done if the AI doesn't distinguish Fleet from SB, though.) I haven't accounted the Repair effects, though I will note that even if they are effective, there will be a net change to the viability of remote SBs. Too bad I missed the discussion of this as there are several facets ...

Guanthor, I could swear I pushed past Point Defense and got no enabled module, but I'll check again.

Okay, a couple more checks:

* Thalan tree has NO tech that will increase the population that a world can support?

* Thalan must slog through Xeno Eng, Planetary Adaptation, Stellar Production, and the Adaptation techs before it gets any production improvement (other than the Hyperion Unit)? That's 4000 RPs to the first factory under Very Slow, and at a rough estimate would take two years or more! Is this a change from the 2.04 tree? If so, what is the rationale?\

BTW, contrary to the list of changes above, Thalan does not start with 12 Logistics, but 6 as previous.

The other changes are tough to check from within the game, but I don't recall that Trade research was unusually expensive. I do note that the Diplomacy penalty has had a major effect on Tech Trading.

103

Gaunathor

on Jan 04, 2016

DMF

reply 102

While I understand the thinking behind weakening SBs, seems to me that the real fix would be to remove the tumor from the AI's brain: de-prioritize SB attacks.

If we could have done that, we would have. It's hard to change the AIs behaviour without access to the source-code. We are just glad that Frogboy was willing to fix some of the more serious bugs in the AI code.

DMF

reply 102

Okay, a couple more checks:

* Thalan tree has NO tech that will increase the population that a world can support?

* Thalan must slog through Xeno Eng, Planetary Adaptation, Stellar Production, and the Adaptation techs before it gets any production improvement (other than the Hyperion Unit)? That's 4000 RPs to the first factory under Very Slow, and at a rough estimate would take two years or more! Is this a change from the 2.04 tree? If so, what is the rationale?

That's how it always was. Okay, we added Xeno Engineering between Artificial Gravity and Planetary Adaptation, but that's the only difference as far as number of techs and tech-cost is concerned.

DMF

reply 102

BTW, contrary to the list of changes above, Thalan does not start with 12 Logistics, but 6 as previous.

Did you previously play as the Thalan on this computer? That would have left a .raceconfigxml in the My Docs-folder, which is overwriting the new values. It's the only explanation I have for this. The Thalan definitely have a Logistics of 12 now. I've checked the files.

104

Maiden666

on Jan 04, 2016

Gaunathor

reply 103

Ofc. But I suspect that this error will happen in alot of games since not many know to delete these files or do clear/save on any stockrace.

105

DMF

on Jan 04, 2016

Boy (or whatever)! You can say that again! Yes, of course, I've played Thalan on this computer. I've played all the races and a couple of my own. I've played GC since the early OS/2 days and this is the first I've heard of .raceconfigxml. (Actually, it's existence may explain why I can't seem to get rid of my Yor-based custom race.)

You suggest that .raceconfigxml is not being overwritten. Do you mean that 2.20 installation did not overwrite the file because it already existed? If so, that is a big problem with the upgrade procedure! Either significant portions of the upgrade are not being applied, or (perhaps) some backward compatibility could be lost. Stardock really needs to address this. Heck, just Release Notes would be enough. But maybe $%&(# Steam can't work that way.

Anyway, what do I need to do? Delete some files? Which ones? Reinstall? Will it affect my existing game? Or should I just buy a new computer? Yeah, right.

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