A few musings

from Stardock Forums
Probably my biggest complaint about this game is the random maps. I enjoy playing the game, but often spend as much as 2 hours trying to find a playable map. I know how to 'control N' right past a map that appears unplayable on its face, but so many times there are maps that seem playable - then after 15 minutes you discover that not a single star system you can reach has a habitable planet so you start the process again. I cannot believe that the high-powered programmers who develop games like this can't devise an algorithm for a 'modified random' that somewhat balances starting positions of the races to prevent this lengthy start-up process. I like to play, but hate wasting so much time on the start-up (which is why at the moment I don't play that much preferring other games where I can actually play every time I start). I know the AP expansion will allow for scenario and map development, but random games remain my favourite form. I have limited time for game play and really want to spend it at play.

The minor races need tweaking. There is nothing more annoying than getting a message on the 10th turn that 'the Carinoids have developed diplomatic translators' only to encounter that civilization 10 turns later and find they have yet to develop techs that (for me at least) are precursors to the tech that allows that advance.

'Control N' - does not appear to reset alien race technology advances. At one point I would 'control-N' after playing 15-20 turns rather than going back to the menu and start a new civ. Then I encountered a nearby race that had more techs than turns had been played. Not likely.

Generally a pretty interesting game with the limitations mentioned. I am looking forward to the AP expansion when it comes out on CD but won't even try to download from a dial-up.
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Reply #1 from Stardock Forums Top
Interesting thoughts... OK, here goes with a couple of answers:

First, AP (and I think the latest patch for GC) eliminates the problem of minors building TGs so quickly - they can't build them at all anymore. So I guess that's the 'tweak' you were hoping for. :) You can also turn the minors off altogether in AP.

There is a cheesy way to solve the bad starting position aswell. Ctrl-N until you get one that feels good, save the game, enable cheat codes, Ctrl-U to reveal the entire map, check for yellow stars and other race positions. If OK, reload the save and play. Could save you a lot of time. ;)

Not sure about the tech advances and Ctrl-N point, but remember that the storyline suggests all the AI's already have contact with eachother, so could be trading tech from turn 1. Yes, it's one way of getting away from saying that the AI "cheats", but there's more than enough cheese for the human player to exploit to easily counter this. :HOT:

Hope this helps.

Honor and Justice! http://guardians.galciv.org/index.html
Reply #2 from Stardock Forums Top
The Altarian Prophecy (expansion pack) comes with pre-made maps and lets you create your own maps.
Offworld Trading Company
Reply #3 from Stardock Forums Top
The start is the single worst element in GC. Its a true horror story because it destroys so much time that should be devoted to playing and having fun instead of just trying to get something "on par" with what the AI starts at. This is always what drives me away from GC... getting tired of spending a few evenings trying to get a playable starting position(meaning, a position that is close enough to the AI's starting resources that I have a chance of winning without having to break out the cheese tactics to make up for the difference).

AP will let you start on a pre-made map. It just won't let you submit any game you play on anything other then pure, random maps. If they get the submission problems straightened out in AP *and* allow you to submit pre-made maps, it will be an enjoyable step forward. Or at least give you a local record of your plays (so you don't need to submit to the Metaverse to get a games played history).
Reply #4 from Stardock Forums Top
Thanks for the info (particularly 'control-U' which I was unaware). My problem is that like Star Pilot, I prefer not to cheat. If I was meant to be able to see the entire map from the beginning - or know the locations of important features - then that would have been made available to me by the designers. Part of the fun is the race to explore and colonize. Nice to know the 'minors' have been defanged somewhat.
Reply #5 from Stardock Forums Top

What does submitting a game to the metaverse have to do with this discussion?

We're not going to mess with the metaverse in the way you describe because users coudl simply crank out their own maps that are totally cheese.

We're talking about the game itself, not scoring on the metaverse.

Reply #6 from Stardock Forums Top
Hey Xoletl, I have the same issues as but like you I don't want to cheat. I'd like to play the way the game is designed. Otherwise, I'm off to a new or different game.
I do use the "control n" quite often whether it's a low PQ earth or starting at the side of the map.
I'll play the campaign once it is finished but I like the random maps.
BTW, you can use those minors at your version of the game. I don't go after the trade items, diplomatic transmiters, etc. because you can trade/buy them for less cost! I get friendly with the minors and give/trade them the techs which yield the items you want. The major races don't trade for the these coveted items (that I have seen)so you will be able to get them later. :D