Galactic Civilizations III Released!

jztemple2 · Post by **jztemple2** » Tue Dec 13, 2016 6:53 pm

Might be time to get back into this.

I see the Mercenaries Expansion Pack is 50% off through the weekend. Is this or any other DLC strongly recommended for an occasional player coming back to the game after several months away, or should I just stay with the vanilla game for now?

Island Dog · Post by **Island Dog** » Thu Dec 22, 2016 9:29 pm

Mercenaries give you the new factions, Galactic Bazaar, and more so it adds quite a bit to the game. Obviously I'm biased, but I think it's a great addition to the game.

I see you made this post when it was on a regular sale, but it's also on sale again in the Steam sale.

Island Dog · Post by **Island Dog** » Fri Jan 13, 2017 1:14 pm

GalCiv III v2.0 is coming up soon, and Brad has some highlights of what to expect.

http://www.stardock.net/article/481386/ ... 20_preview

jztemple2 · Post by **jztemple2** » Fri Jan 13, 2017 5:39 pm

Island Dog wrote:GalCiv III v2.0 is coming up soon, and Brad has some highlights of what to expect.

http://www.stardock.net/article/481386/ ... 20_preview

Darn those look like good changes. I like the idea of administrators as a function to slow down starbase spamming. When I was playing I felt like I needed to keep throwing out new constructors all the time for starbases unless I really needed to build something else. Am I to understand that this is just for the building of the initial starbase, not the upgrading? I would prefer that it only be for the initial base.

Any updated AI on trading is good

Unless I'm misunderstanding it, the UI changes look good to me. By the way, what's the best way to get rid of all your own custom ships from previous games? I like to start without preconceived designs.

Any chance of a sale on DLC for GCIII when 2.0 comes out?

Finally, for someone who is a previous GCII and GCIII player but has been away from the game for awhile, what's a good set of galaxy settings to allow some early expansion to not be interfered with that also doesn't present too many things to explore/colonize/diddle with?

Island Dog · Post by **Island Dog** » Fri Jan 20, 2017 5:12 pm

jztemple2 wrote:
Island Dog wrote:GalCiv III v2.0 is coming up soon, and Brad has some highlights of what to expect.

http://www.stardock.net/article/481386/ ... 20_preview
Unless I'm misunderstanding it, the UI changes look good to me. By the way, what's the best way to get rid of all your own custom ships from previous games? I like to start without preconceived designs.

Any chance of a sale on DLC for GCIII when 2.0 comes out?

Finally, for someone who is a previous GCII and GCIII player but has been away from the game for awhile, what's a good set of galaxy settings to allow some early expansion to not be interfered with that also doesn't present too many things to explore/colonize/diddle with?

Clear out the designs folder in My Games/GalCiv3.

Upcoming sale? Well I can't talk about anything like that, but......

I usually play with small galaxies and mostly default settings. I set most of the options to occasional as I like to play more casually.

jztemple2 · Post by **jztemple2** » Fri Jan 20, 2017 5:21 pm

Thanks for the info! I too like to play casually so I'll take a look at those settings. And I found that design folder too.

Island Dog · Post by **Island Dog** » Thu Jan 26, 2017 4:46 pm

The v2.0 update for GalCiv III is available! This update includes the addition of Administrators, big changes to diplomacy, UI adjustments, and other various improvements.

Starbase Administrators: This new resource is now required for building starbases and takes the pressure off the idea that you need to produce lots of them quickly. Administrators make it possible for smaller empires to focus on things like improving morale and productivity in their home systems.

Diplomacy Improvements: AI will now do more trading and less "give me stuff!" A new "redlining" system is used to evaluate proposals, which the AI now evaluates more carefully before accepting. When your trade offer is accepted or rejected, a screen will provide you with a detailed explanation of why so you can change your strategy for your next offer.

Ship Builder UI: Find your recently created ships more easily when they are automatically added to your "favorites." Folding categories for auto-generated military ships and showing currency, morale, population, and turn information in the shipyard window rounds out the UI updates.

More info and changelog here: http://forums.galciv3.com/481387/Galact ... -Available

Also, GalCiv III (DLC, expansion) are on sale this weekend on Steam.

http://store.steampowered.com/bundle/274/

Frnk55 · Post by **Frnk55** » Thu Jan 26, 2017 9:39 pm

Hmm, I have GC2 do I need GC3?

jztemple2 · Post by **jztemple2** » Thu Jan 26, 2017 11:17 pm

Frnk55 wrote:Hmm, I have GC2 do I need GC3?

There are new play mechanics and numerous improvements to the interface and other aspects, but certainly it doesn't make GC2 obsolete. So it's whether you want to make the big leap, to boldly go where no... ah, it's up to you. I like the new version

Frnk55 · Post by **Frnk55** » Fri Jan 27, 2017 11:39 am

jztemple2 wrote:
Frnk55 wrote:Hmm, I have GC2 do I need GC3?
There are new play mechanics and numerous improvements to the interface and other aspects, but certainly it doesn't make GC2 obsolete. So it's whether you want to make the big leap, to boldly go where no... ah, it's up to you. I like the new version

Seeing that is on sale I think I will grab it. Are there any dlcs that are must haves?

jztemple2 · Post by **jztemple2** » Fri Jan 27, 2017 12:11 pm

Frnk55 wrote:Seeing that is on sale I think I will grab it. Are there any dlcs that are must haves?

Really depends on what your play style is. There are several that add campaigns, but if you are new to the game those might not be of much value right now. For the sandbox campaign I'd say that the Builders Kit DLC is good if you're the kind that likes to build your own very personalized ships. And the Mercenaries DLC is interesting because it allows you in the early game to hire better ships to fight your foes. The Lost Treasures DLC adds new colony events and planetary improvements. Ultimately the base game stands well on it's own. Since you've played GC2 you kind of know what to expect from the game. I haven't gotten into the new V2.0 update that was just released since I'm deep into XCOM2 LW2, but the changes there are significant.

Frnk55 · Post by **Frnk55** » Fri Jan 27, 2017 12:15 pm

Hey thanks Jztemple! Good info!

Island Dog · Post by **Island Dog** » Thu Feb 02, 2017 4:13 pm

Galactic Civilizations III: Crusade has been announced and is coming this Spring!

Crusade announcement: http://forums.galciv3.com/481545/

Check out some of the exciting new features below:

Invade enemy planets while protecting your own
Conquering a world is no small task. The revamped invasion system in Crusade allows a citizen to be trained as a soldier in order to invade worlds. Strategic and challenging, invasions will require careful planning as you train your legions and determine which tile to attack first. Be careful not to forget to defend your own worlds from your enemies, too!

Train gifted citizens in the art of Espionage
Smaller civilizations can keep up with their larger counterparts by training their citizens in the art of espionage. Spies can steal technologies, circulate rumors to create civil unrest, sabotage enemy worlds, or even go so far as to assassinate enemy citizens to keep their edge above the competition.

Grow your civilization with the help of Galactic Citizens
Shape the course of your civilization’s destiny with talented individuals called citizens. Choose from over a dozen unique roles - admiral, engineer, celebrity, pioneer, and more - to help your civilizations flourish. Keep your citizen on their homeworld or send them off through dangerous interstellar travel in order to help the colonies on new worlds you’ve conquered.

Use the Civilization Builder to develop and share unique creations on Steam
Create a custom faction complete with leader, ideology, and abilities. You can also customize your own galactic navy and create unique conversation dialogue for your faction to use when it comes into contact with friends and enemies. The civilization builder is integrated into Steam Workshop so that you can upload your creation for other users to enjoy!

Take over the galaxy with new races and civilizations
Meet the members of the Terran Resistance, lurk deep within the bowels of the living rock of asteroids as the new Onyx Hive faction, or look down on other primitive races as the cybernetic space amoebas, the Slyne.

Also check out the new dev diary which gives an introduction to Crusade.
http://forums.galciv3.com/481611/CRUSAD ... II-CRUSADE

Steam: http://store.steampowered.com/app/527070

jztemple2 · Post by **jztemple2** » Thu Feb 02, 2017 5:18 pm

OK, dumb question, but I'm sure it's going to be asked, so I'll step up to the plate. In the GC3 Steam Workshop there are over four thousand factions right now. I've never used one but I imagine that they provide some aspects of a new civilization. How does the Civilization Builder differ from this?

I do like the idea of fleshing out the invasion process...

Jeff V · Post by **Jeff V** » Fri Feb 03, 2017 11:02 am

jztemple2 wrote:OK, dumb question, but I'm sure it's going to be asked, so I'll step up to the plate. In the GC3 Steam Workshop there are over four thousand factions right now. I've never used one but I imagine that they provide some aspects of a new civilization. How does the Civilization Builder differ from this?

I do like the idea of fleshing out the invasion process...

Looks like it will be more involved; many of the factions available for download are basically a set of attributes with a skin over it. Custom dialog would make them more unique, Island Dog, would tech trees be able to be customized as well?

Island Dog · Post by **Island Dog** » Fri Feb 03, 2017 5:29 pm

With the Civilizations Builder you'll be able to create the civilization from scratch. Ships, tech, etc.

Jeff V · Post by **Jeff V** » Fri Feb 03, 2017 5:37 pm

Thanks! I for one look forward to the efforts of others, as I have neither the time nor inclination these days to be so creative.

Island Dog · Post by **Island Dog** » Thu Feb 09, 2017 3:01 pm

Brad wrote a dev diary on the Civilization Builder and there's a video to go with it.

http://www.stardock.com/community/artic ... on-Builder

jztemple2 · Post by **jztemple2** » Thu Feb 09, 2017 3:27 pm

I have to admit it, the Civilization Builder does look pretty amazing

. And while it will probably (as the video says) be post release, it would be great if there was a way to tie musical cues to the responses from the civ. I really like how you can link each ship style to a type (small beam fighter, colony ship, etc) so once you are playing the game you don't have to stop when a new ship class is unlocked and spend time making a new ship design that fits into the overall theme of your civilization.

Brad Wardell · Post by **Brad Wardell** » Thu Feb 16, 2017 1:07 pm

Hi all!

Re the Civ Builder, yea I think that feature will take on a life of its own. I've seen people who just "play" that. Sort of like the Spore creature creator.

This week, I've posted a detailed article regarding the biggest change we've ever done to the economy: galactic citizens.

You can read about it here: http://www.stardock.com/community/artic ... c-Citizens

In essence, the sliders and such that have always been part of these games are gone. You now control your civilization through your citizens and where you put them. I'm really liking it.

There's no way I'd have this feature if I weren't writing the AI. It is a non-trivial challenge but given that everyone has at least 2 core CPUs, I can have the AI calculating how to deal with citizens in the background without affecting performance.

jztemple2 · Post by **jztemple2** » Thu Feb 16, 2017 2:15 pm

Brad Wardell wrote:You can read about it here: http://www.stardock.com/community/artic ... c-Citizens

You say in the article "Not just icons. Each citizen has a name and where they're from and a picture (and yea, we do this for all 12 races, Drengin females...you do not want to attend their march)." Will that mean in the Civilization Builder you can also add new Civilization specific citizens?

Brad Wardell · Post by **Brad Wardell** » Thu Feb 16, 2017 5:17 pm

Re citizens: That's the plan. By default, you'll select from a given race's list.

Island Dog · Post by **Island Dog** » Fri Feb 24, 2017 11:57 am

A new dev diary is up from Brad and talks about the new economic and resource systems, starbase spam, and more.

http://www.stardock.com/community/artic ... ategy-game

Island Dog · Post by **Island Dog** » Thu Mar 09, 2017 1:32 pm

Brad has a new Crusade diary up today and it details citizens and the new economic system, plus delves into espionage and how spies and saboteurs work.

http://www.stardock.com/community/artic ... -Saboteurs

Island Dog · Post by **Island Dog** » Fri Mar 17, 2017 4:38 pm

The next dev diary in the series is out today from Brad and a includes walkthrough of his first handful of turns and learn about the huge changes that the team is making to the early game. He also talks more about citizens and the effect they have on your economy, choices, and all other aspects of planetary management. In particular, he takes a look at Commanders and what they can do for your armies.

http://www.stardock.com/community/artic ... t-to-build

Freyland · Post by **Freyland** » Sun Mar 19, 2017 12:42 am

I preordered Gal Civ III because I enjoyed what time I had with Gal Civ II, and because...Space 4X. But I didn't get around to it in the beginning due to other shinys, and a lot of criticisms about the game.

I have purchased all DLC but do not know how much they add to the game because I have yet to play it.

I bought the "Galactic Civilizations Total Bundle of Joy" for my favorite Steam Modder as a gift when it was all on sale, but I still could not tell him how it played.

I've been jones'ng for a good space 4X, especially since I have been disappointed with other major offerings (Stellaris, MOO, Shadows). But rather than dive in now, I see Crusades is going to change game mechanics enough that I might as well wait. Sadly for me, that means I will be wrapped up into some other shiny, and if Crusades doesn't deliver, I will probably never get around to playing.

So, for the love of all things holy, Please make this Deliver!

Zenn7 · Post by **Zenn7** » Sun Mar 19, 2017 11:31 pm

Will Crusade be a new branch - there will be regular GC3 and Crusade version GC3?

Do you only see the citizens if you buy Crusade? Wondering about games in progress?

Will the citizens be in the existing campaigns? I've completed them now, but that would radically alter how the campaigns play.

Island Dog · Post by **Island Dog** » Thu Mar 23, 2017 10:50 am

We'll be previewing Crusade for the first time on Twitch today at 1pm ET. We'll also get the replay up on YouTube.

https://www.twitch.tv/stardock

Zenn7 wrote:Will Crusade be a new branch - there will be regular GC3 and Crusade version GC3?

Do you only see the citizens if you buy Crusade? Wondering about games in progress?

Will the citizens be in the existing campaigns? I've completed them now, but that would radically alter how the campaigns play.

If you purchase Crusade that will be the version of the game you have. I don't think they will be in campaigns you have finished. I believe you would have to restart them but I'd have to check on that.

Zenn7 · Post by **Zenn7** » Thu Mar 23, 2017 8:53 pm

Island Dog wrote:We'll be previewing Crusade for the first time on Twitch today at 1pm ET. We'll also get the replay up on YouTube.

https://www.twitch.tv/stardock

Zenn7 wrote:Will Crusade be a new branch - there will be regular GC3 and Crusade version GC3?

Do you only see the citizens if you buy Crusade? Wondering about games in progress?

Will the citizens be in the existing campaigns? I've completed them now, but that would radically alter how the campaigns play.
If you purchase Crusade that will be the version of the game you have. I don't think they will be in campaigns you have finished. I believe you would have to restart them but I'd have to check on that.

Island Dog - thanks for coming here and answering our questions and keeping us in the loop.

Was more wondering if any development of GC3 base would continue (sort of like you had Ashes of the Singularity base and the expansion version, though I think you consolidated those). From reading on steam forums, sounds like GC3 development will cease. GC3 will be Crusade as far as Stardock is concerned. Nothing wrong with that, was just curious.

As for the campaigns, was just wondering how much impact the citizens would have on that. An idle curiosity thing. I enjoyed the campaigns well enough for once through, not enough for a 2nd play. Would rather play some random maps with my own races then.

Island Dog · Post by **Island Dog** » Wed Mar 29, 2017 11:24 am

You really can't compare Ashes and GalCiv in that regards. Ashes and Ashes: Escalation were separate as in Escalation was a stand-alone expansion.

Crusade is not stand-alone, it's an expansion just like Mercenaries. So development will continue with GC3 as normal.

I'd recommend taking a look at the citizen dev diary, it will explain more than I could about them.

http://www.stardock.com/games/article/4 ... c-Citizens

Also, we'll be having Crusade dev streams on Wednesday at 2pm ET.

https://www.twitch.tv/stardock

Zenn7 · Post by **Zenn7** » Wed Mar 29, 2017 11:21 pm

Island Dog wrote:You really can't compare Ashes and GalCiv in that regards. Ashes and Ashes: Escalation were separate as in Escalation was a stand-alone expansion.

Crusade is not stand-alone, it's an expansion just like Mercenaries. So development will continue with GC3 as normal.

I'd recommend taking a look at the citizen dev diary, it will explain more than I could about them.

http://www.stardock.com/games/article/4 ... c-Citizens

Also, we'll be having Crusade dev streams on Wednesday at 2pm ET.

https://www.twitch.tv/stardock

That makes sense about not being like Ashes development. Wasn't thinking clearly there I guess.

I've read through several of the Crusade dev dairies, but not that one, thanks for the link.

Watching streams at 2 PM ET is a bit difficult - my employer's priorities are a bit different than that (they obviously fail to understand the greater galactic good. :p ). I imagine if I put any effort at all into it, I can find these available to watch at a more conducive time, but eh, I'll save some mystery for when it comes out...

.

Island Dog · Post by **Island Dog** » Tue Apr 18, 2017 12:27 pm

Brad gives a guided tour of many of the new features in Crusade in the latest dev diary.

http://www.stardock.com/games/article/4 ... our-part-1

jztemple2 · Post by **jztemple2** » Tue Apr 18, 2017 2:39 pm

Races no longer get a "tech tree". Instead, tech trees are procedurally generated based on the traits of your civilization. Modders should love this, since now they can just submit a bunch of new techs that have race trait requirements and they'll "just show up"

Well, that's cool

Island Dog · Post by **Island Dog** » Mon Apr 24, 2017 1:26 pm

Brad has posted a new blog detailing the first turn in Crusade and some of the choices you need to make at the start of a game.

http://www.stardock.com/games/article/4 ... first-turn

Moat_Man · Post by **Moat_Man** » Sun Apr 30, 2017 3:17 am

I've kept myself up to date on GalCiv III: Crusade here and on the Stardock forums, but by far the thing that got me most interested was DevilDogFF's Let's Explore videos. They are two ~30 minute videos (with a part 3 coming soon) that highlight the changes between the base game and the Crusade DLC/expansion.
Part 1
Part 2

It looks like they took an... ok 4x game and improved it immensely by adding Citizens that can be specialized and also "level up", gutting and reworking the math behind what looks like everything, and also doing a great UI reskin.

This is the type of game I like to play; pondering over every decision in a turn, eagerly looking forward to the next turn and being able to make more even more interesting decisions. I feel the hype rising. Must resist... Yah, who's kidding who.

baelthazar · Post by **baelthazar** » Sun Apr 30, 2017 11:45 am

Is the May 4 release date on Steam accurate? Because that is way sooner than I thought!

Moat_Man · Post by **Moat_Man** » Sun Apr 30, 2017 1:40 pm

Yes. May the 4th and it will be with you.

tgb · Post by **tgb** » Sun Apr 30, 2017 4:11 pm

Dawn of Andromeda comes out of EA on the 4th as well, and a couple of weeks later Endless Space II.

Moat_Man · Post by **Moat_Man** » Wed May 03, 2017 2:42 am

Here's Part 3 of DevilDogFF's Let's Explore video series in case anyone wanted to watch it.

jztemple2 · Post by **jztemple2** » Thu May 04, 2017 1:10 pm

And Galactic Civilizations III: Crusade Expansion Pack has been released. I decided to pick this up since it's been some slow gaming recently. I never did put that many hours into GC3 since it didn't feel too radically different than GC2. From what I've seen in the previews GC3:C might be what I'm looking for.