Has anyone heard of the game Galactic Civilizations

Nebraskan · #1 June 27th, 2002, 03:50 AM

I was surfing the web and came across a mention of the game. I used to play this game on a PC with IBM OS2. It was a good turnbased space 4x type of game but loading and using OS2 was a major pain in the Butt.

Stardock is developing the game for Windows with many improvements and is going go release the beta in July, and the complete Version in December.

If you want to see what it is all about goto Galactic Civilizations

Jmenschenfresser · #2 June 27th, 2002, 05:09 AM

I had heard of the original and even read some about it recently, but never played it.

I read through the whole website and although it sounds interesting, and the concerns of the designer are many of mine when pondering the perfect 4x game, I have some reservations.

They go to lenghts to describe the depth of the random events, but not the rest of the game. One has to wonder at the specifics. And I don't see that many races in the game...5? maybe a few more. And little word on customization.

The idea of building a trade relationship, much as one builds a ship, is pretty interesting.

Gil Hamilton · #3 June 29th, 2002, 10:12 AM

I only have one good thing to say about GalCiv: I found SEIV through a site I was directed to by one of the people on their forum.

I encourage those of you who thrive in a "Clique-ish" environment to get to their site now. I remember one of the threads-actually, it was the decider for me to seek my 4E needs elswhere- was debating the inclusion of orbital ANYTHING in the game!!! The main programmer was against it, thinking everything should just take off from the planet's surface.

Not to mention that NONE of the staff had good spelling skills. When I joined the forum in late Jan. 2002, their ranking for lieutenant was spelled lutenant. Doh!

DavidG · #4 June 30th, 2002, 06:51 AM

Well at least they managed to post an unanswerable poll (since my answer to the question would be yes but they certainly don't "need" to utilize 3d):

Do strategy games benefit from 3D engines?

1- Yes, strategy games need to utilize 3D engines.

2- No, most 3D engines have a negative impact on strategy games

[ June 30, 2002, 05:51: Message edited by: DavidG ]

Atrocities · #5 June 30th, 2002, 07:42 AM

Yes, we have had a few Posts about the game.

klausD · #6 June 30th, 2002, 11:34 AM

GCIV has some interesting points. But if you think its similar to SE4 you are wrong.

The differences are:

-the mapboard - like civi just in space. This means no jumppoints, just a 2D map divided in sectors (up to several hundred) each which is subdivided in squares.

-GCIV is NOT a wargame in space.
NO shipdesign. Pre-designed ships with simple combat and movement values and a few special abilities.

-Combat is VERY simple. 2 ships are meeting in space (occupying the same square), one ship survives. Thats it.
-NO effective stacking rules. (just like in CIV II)

-economy is similar to Civilization

-no mulitplayer

-advanced political options

-very good AI (if we can trust the developer)

I hope this helps you