Twilight of the Arnor Beta 1

Published on October 30, 2007 By CariElf In GalCiv Journals

We are very excited to finally release the Twilight of the Arnor beta! Not all of the final features are included in this beta, so that we can focus on testing specific features. To that end, please do not use mods while beta testing, as we don't want to beta test the mods at this point.

Please post bug reports in the Beta Reports section of the forums. For further instructions on submitting reports, please see this thread:

https://forums.galciv2.com/?forumid=421&aid=166398

Features included in this build:

+ Terran, Drengin, and Arcean tech-trees now specific to their race

+ All other races disabled for Beta 1

+ New Improvement graphics for existing improvements

+ New Race Specific Improvements added

+ New Race Specific Planet Textures made

+ Planet Textures no longer generated...use pre-made textures (only 5 textures for Beta 1)

+ 'Twilight' Title Screen, new Twilight theme music, and updated user-interface graphics

+ Tech-Tree Screen now shows icons for Improvements and Abilities gained from each Tech

+ Special Ship Components Added to assist Fleets and Individual Ships (Stellar Defenders, Hull Points, Fire Coordinator, Warp Bubble Projector, etc.)

+ Immense Galaxies

+ Metaverse disabled for this beta

Comments (Page 4)

Starstriker1

on Oct 31, 2007

Technically, carriers ARE support ships. I think he's right, blatant abuse of grammar aside (also.... gramical?

)... you have to fleet the other ships with the carrier ("dock" them), but then they recieve the bonuses from being carried around this way (enhanced speed, damage, etc, depending on carrier setup).

I'll certainly be calling my support ships "Carriers".

Renfl

on Oct 31, 2007

For the love of god Stardock, do tell you plan to change the Planet Buildings menu for the better with TA? Alphabetical order and a list with gigazillion different buildings just is not very... elegant?

Maybe separate different building classes with color boxes or something, this was the main annoyance with DA UI, atleast for me.

Agree 100% I said the same thing with DA! There are just too many at times, thought of the same solution too, different building classes with color boxes! You my friend are BRILLIANT! 6 beers in an easy carrying case brilliant!

MorbiusStorm

on Oct 31, 2007

Technically, carriers ARE support ships. I think he's right, blatant abuse of grammar aside (also.... gramical?

)... you have to fleet the other ships with the carrier ("dock" them), but then they recieve the bonuses from being carried around this way (enhanced speed, damage, etc, depending on carrier setup).

I see the point, but I think I prefer command ship vice carrier. I was stationed on a carrier, and to me, if it isn't actually carrying/launching ships, it doesn't work for me as a carrier.

I'm just going with command ship, as that makes the most sense; considering that it won't be able to launch/recover ships. A battlegroup doesn't always have a carrier, but still has a chain of command.

Then again, maybe I'll just call it Fleet Support, since it will probably be gimped and have fewer fighting abilities.

CobraA1

on Oct 31, 2007

Planet Textures no longer generated...use pre-made textures (only 5 textures for Beta 1)

Although this would undoubtedly allow a talented artist to make cool planets - I am concerned that it might lead to a lack of variety. Perhaps the most important planets can be textured manually, and less important planets use generated textures?

Starstriker1

on Oct 31, 2007

To be honest, the randomly generated maps didn't have that much variety. They were far too bland looking to be individually distinct.

DivineWrath

on Oct 31, 2007

+ New Race Specific Improvements added

I found something bizzare today. The "Arena of Agony" seems to be considered old when the "Arena" is avialable. This is kind of odd, because you start with Arenas, and need to research Arenas of Agony. Also Arenas of Agony is the better structure based upon the .xml file.

Starting at line 1963:
--Edit: quoting .xml files don't seem to work.

________________
On a side note, is the planet improvements that the Arceans use to increase the speed of their ships working. I didn't notice any difference between a ship built on a world with such a structure, and one that didn't.

crow_t_robot

on Oct 31, 2007

*After a quick google*

Oh... my... god...

I'm so not letting that kid near my computer!

He acts like he's possessed by comical version of Hitler's ghost.

Warning! This may hurt your ears.
WWW Link

Wow, that was crazy. I sure hope that was faked because if it wasn't, that kid's insane.

I'm so not letting that kid near my computer!

Ha, I hope that kid isn't like the evil monkey....

crow_t_robot

on Oct 31, 2007

I noticed that too, odd. You can exploit the evil xeno ethics because once you research xeno ethics, it gives you the psyonic beam right of the bat. (I like that exploit

)

DivineWrath

on Nov 01, 2007

I noticed that too, odd. You can exploit the evil xeno ethics because once you research xeno ethics, it gives you the psyonic beam right of the bat. (I like that exploit)

I Hadn't noticed. I kinda made the whole galaxy go boom before the thought crossed my mind.

MacsenLP

on Nov 01, 2007

I never did get around to commenting on it back in DA betas, but I wanted more categories. For example, one for trade good, one for galatic wonders, one for 1 per planet structures (starports, power planets, etc), and maybe one for the player to customize.

I'd like to see something similar to this eg structures that can be built multiple times on a planet seperated from wonders trade goods specials etc.

The reason for this is many of the wonders/specials I find aren't worth building so the planetary structure list becomes quite clutered when you've advanced through much of the tech tree.

VimesUK

on Nov 01, 2007

+ Immense Galaxies

eek You are not kidding are you....!!!! Albeit a very empty galaxy at the moment with limited races available.

ScottTykoski

on Nov 01, 2007

Although this would undoubtedly allow a talented artist to make cool planets - I am concerned that it might lead to a lack of variety.

We have some code in the pipeline that will help with this (which will hopefully make it in for Beta 2). Don't worry, we thought ahead

CoReD

on Nov 01, 2007

Approx how many MB is the beta, I'll do the beta if it's a reasonable size to download on dial-up..

leonprovost

on Nov 01, 2007

I have 3 copies of Galactic Civilizations, 2 of the basic game and one with Dark Avatar, if Star Dock reads these posts, the ser no of that one is: ***** SO PLEASE ADD TO MY REGISTERED GAMES...Problem I have is I want, Twlight of the Arnor, but I dont need dread lords, or dark avatar. what happened to the $24 download? reply to: leonprovost@embarqmail.com..Thanks

Moderator edit: DO NOT post serials on the forum.

kryo

on Nov 01, 2007

Problem I have is I want, Twlight of the Arnor, but I dont need dread lords, or dark avatar.

TA requires both DL and DA. You can't download it without having both of the others registered to your account.

If you bought the additional copies of DL in error direct from us, contact sales@stardock.com to see if it's possible to sort that out.

TA is still listed as $24.95 on the purchase page here and on TotalGaming.net. It will eventually go up to $29.95, though.

Welcome Guest! Please take the time to register with us.
There are many great features available to you once you register, including:

Richer content, access to many features that are disabled for guests like commenting on the forums.
Access to a great community, with a massive database of many, many areas of interest.
Access to contests & subscription offers like exclusive emails.
It's simple, and FREE!