Galactic Civilizations III v3.6 Community Update improves custom ship mod compatibility, adjusts commonwealth worlds, and more

We're launching a version update today that addresses the most important feedback we get: YOURS. We've addressed several community reported issues in our continuing effort to bring you the best GalCiv game possible. We put balance and bug fix work into both the base game and the Retribution expansion with this update. Some of the biggest changes we made include:

• Merging fleets no longer renames them
  
• Custom ships work better with mods
  
• Artificial life forms can no longer build farms because robots don't eat food
  
• Your commonwealth worlds can no longer flip worlds in your empire (because that was treason!)

See the huge changelog below!




Don't have Galactic Civilizations III?
Buy from Steam | Buy from Stardock

Owners, the v3.6 update is ready and waiting for you in your Steam client.
Don't forget to pick up the newly released Retribution expansion today!

www.galciv3.com | www.galciv3.com/retribution



Gameplay

• Nerfed "Lossless Life Support" module
  
• Fixed typos in "Lossless Mining" module descriptions
  
• Updated Tourism bonus for the "Popular Race" trait to be flat 1 and 2% instead of multipliers of 10 and 20%
  
• Updated united planet tourism board to be flat with a 10% bonus (was multiplier of 100% which was crazy)
  
• Colonizing the Promethion Refinery precursor world now grants 5 Promethion
  
• Set "Virtual Vacation" to be a player wonder
  
• Changed "Influence Per Turn" from multiplier to flat on the Galactic Showcase
  
• Fixed mismatch of description and text in the "Antimatter Weapon Colonizing" event
  
• Tweaked pathfinding so that it doesn't attempt to find a path to the node closest to a blocked destination if the start tile is already the closest node
  
• Silicon-based life can terraform and colonize high level extreme worlds
  
• Removed farms for Synthetic lifeforms and enabled terraforming improvements and high end extreme world techs
  
• Fixed "Orphaned Improvements" and techs in the Retribution tech tree
  
• Fixed issue with Iridium tech tree failing on "Tariff Focus" specialization

UI

• Changed it so that when you merge a fleet, it will keep a custom name for the resulting fleet. If both fleets being merged have custom names, it keeps the fleet name of the bigger fleet.
  
• Adjusted "Economic Warning" flavor text to fit with new conversation popup font size.
  
• Fixed typo in "Precursor Research Node" description.
  
• Improved the text alignment on the UP Resolutions window

Bugs

• Fixed custom ship style sets having the wrong strategic icons. Players will have to re-save their ship style sets (and change the effect ships classes to what they want along with their text, since that is info that is saved off). Prevents players from having to remake the ship style sets and only deal with what was changed
  
• You can no longer assign commanders to planets
  
• Ships with "one per player" components can upgrade to ships with the same components
  
• Cleaned up code that clears/applies rebellion status to prevent edge cases where planets can flip when they shouldn't (like when the tile is owned by a commonwealth of the planet owner)
  
• Addressed a MP crash related to mismatched DLC
  
• Fixed mismatched strategic icons on some ship classes
  
• Fixed typos in "Plasma Arc" event

Mod fixes

• Ships created with mods now show up correctly
  
• Prevents crash if a tech unlocks more than 12 things at once (modders -- you know who you are!)

Retribution

• Fixed issue where Hypergates didn't fire any shots during battle because they didn't have range
  
• Changed the Hyperlane tool tip to account for the minimum move cost, so it will now show the max bonus as 900% instead of +-100%
  
• Removed extra space in the Korath faction description
  
• Added "lossless life support" back into the Retribution tech tree
  
• Updated Thalan conversation text to reflect that they bring in multiple ships now in mission 4
  
• Add basic Block Hulls to Korath Ship style

Check out the release trailer here: https://youtu.be/rMWaAmCe-NU
Save 10%* on Retribution and 70%** on the Base Game!



Galactic Civilizations III: Retribution adds Hypergates, Precursor Artifacts, new major civilizations, and much more.

Across the galaxy, you and your rivals are discovering ancient alien artifacts that grant powerful new capabilities. Meanwhile, as civilizations try to carefully balance building an economy, funding an ever growing war machine, and engaging in diplomacy, the humans of Sol III have invented a game-changing new technology - Hypergates - which, when connected, allow for rapid transit across the galaxy.



With two new major civilizations and the concluding campaign to the Galactic Civilizations III backstory that serves this massive space 4X sandbox game, Retribution asks the question: How will you rule your galaxy?





The new features in Galactic Civilizations III: Retribution include:

• Artifacts - Powerful items buried on planets across the galaxy will give your civilization instant-access to new abilities.
  
• Hypergates - Construct powerful gateways that, when linked, allow your fleets to travel rapidly across hyperspace.
  
• Major Civilizations: Drath and Korath - The manipulative Drath pull the strings across the galaxy while the Korath rely on extermination. Each has its own set of special abilities, bonuses, and ship parts.
  
• Supply Ships - Supply ships can be constructed to deliver goods and services to your other planets to aid in their development.
  
• New Technology Tree - A top to bottom overhaul of the technology tree adds depth and sharpens the strategic choices in your research options.
  
• Retribution Campaign -The malevolent Drengin Empire made a terrible mistake underestimating humanity’s strength, and the climactic battle that will follow may end in their extinction.

*Sale ends 2/27/19 at 1PM EST. Steam and Galactic Civilizations III is required to play this expansion.
**Sale ends 2/23/19 at 1PM EST on Steam and 2/27/19 at 1PM EST direct from Stardock. Steam required to play.

Also check out the world premiere trailer for Galactic Civilizations III’s biggest expansion yet.

The expansion to the massive space strategy game adds new civilizations, hypergates, supply ships, new technology trees and much more.



See our brand new trailer for Galactic Civilizations III: Retribution!
Add it to your Steam Wishlist today.

For more information, visit http://www.galciv3.com/retribution.

Start with a single world and expand across the galaxy through diplomacy, trade, cultural hegemony, or military conquest in this single or multiplayer 4X strategy game. How will you rule your galaxy?

The new features in Galactic Civilizations III: Retribution include:

• Artifacts - Powerful items buried on planets across the galaxy will give your civilization instant-access to new abilities.
  
• Hypergates - Construct powerful gateways that, when linked, allow your fleets to travel rapidly across hyperspace.
  
• Major Civilizations: Drath and Korath - The manipulative Drath pull the strings across the galaxy while the Korath rely on extermination. Each has its own set of special abilities, bonuses, and ship parts.
  
• Supply ships - Supply ships can be constructed to deliver goods and services to your other planets to aid in their development.
  
• New Technology Trees - A top to bottom overhaul of the technology tree adds depth and sharpens the strategic choices in your research options.
  
• Retribution Campaign - The malevolent Drengin Empire made a terrible mistake underestimating humanity’s strength, and the climactic battle that will follow may end in their extinction.

Galactic Civilizations III: Retribution is coming February 21!

What started as a crusade has become a war of retribution.
Stardock's award-winning space strategy game, Galactic Civilizations III is about to get its biggest expansion yet. Galactic Civilizations III: Retribution adds new playable civilizations, a story-driven campaign, Precursor artifacts, Hypergates and much more.





Across the galaxy, ancient alien artifacts are being discovered, giving civilizations powerful new capabilities. Meanwhile, as civilizations try to carefully balance building an economy, funding an ever growing war machine, and engaging in diplomacy, the humans of Sol III have invented a game-changing new technology - Hypergates - which, when connected, allow for rapid transit across the galaxy.



With two new major civilizations and the concluding campaign to the Galactic Civilizations III backstory that serves this massive space 4X sandbox game, Retribution asks the question: How will you rule your galaxy?





The new features in Galactic Civilizations III: Retribution include:

• Artifacts - Powerful items buried on planets across the galaxy will give your civilization instant-access to new abilities.
  
• Hypergates - Construct powerful gateways that, when linked, allow your fleets to travel rapidly across hyperspace.
  
• Major Civilizations: Drath and Korath - The manipulative Drath pull the strings across the galaxy while the Korath rely on extermination. Each has its own set of special abilities, bonuses, and ship parts.
  
• Cargo Ships - Cargo ships can be constructed to deliver goods and services to your other planets to aid in their development.
  
• New Technology Tree - A top to bottom overhaul of the technology tree adds depth and sharpens the strategic choices in your research options.
  
• Retribution Campaign - The malevolent Drengin Empire made a terrible mistake underestimating humanity’s strength, and the climactic battle that will follow may end in their extinction.

Galactic Civilizations III: Retribution is coming this Winter!
For more information, visit https://www.galciv3.com/retribution





Galactic Civilizations III is the largest space strategy sandbox ever made. Start with a single world and expand across the galaxy through diplomacy, trade, cultural hegemony, or military conquest in this single or multiplayer 4X strategy game. How will you rule your galaxy?

Galactic Civilizations III v3.2 takes faction personality traits into account, improves game AI, and more





We're launching a version update today that increases the effects of a civilization's personality traits on diplomacy, conversations, and what ships to build. The Intrigue AI has also hired an accountant to better manage its taxes, and we've made a few adjustments to the Heroes of Star Control: Origins DLC. More details on the changes are below!






Base Game

• Stars are placed a slightly further apart than before in order to make each system independent from others.
  
• AI more aggressive at sending out constructors to build starbases
  
• Personality traits are given much greater consideration when deciding what topics the civilization wants to discuss.
  
• Personality traits are now given much greater consideration for deciding what types of ships to build when at peace.
  
• Personality traits are now given much greater consideration when deciding what kinds of treaties and offers to give to the player.

Crusade

• Diplomacy ability bonus to relations reduced from 2 to 1.

Intrigue

• AI manages its tax rate more effectively.
  
• Changed default # of colonies before a government is allowed from 3 to 2.

Heroes of Star Control

• If you don't own the either the Mercenaries or Intrigue expansion packs, you can now still get Jeff
  
• Jeff is already perfect and shuns your attempts to "upgrade" him
  
• Added custom Starbases for Mukay, Tywom, and Free Trandals (Mowlings starbases are unchanged)

Owners, the v3.2 update is ready and waiting for you in your Steam client.
Don't forget to pick up the Intrigue Expansion and Heroes of Star Control: Origins DLC!

New Alien Civilizations bring their own ship styles, unique race traits, diplomatic quirks, AI personalities, and more!

Check out the overview trailer:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0bPuLHeKZhk

The Star Control Heroes DLC pack introduces four major new civilizations to Galactic Civilizations III. All of the new alien factions come equipped with a unique leader, ship, music, and traits that make each civilization look and play differently from the existing major civilizations.

Play as or against the Tywom, the lovable, needy slugs, or as the kind (but surprisingly aggressive!) aquatic Mu'Kay. You can also play as the naive-but- deceptively powerful Mowlings with their god-like protector, "Jeff," or the recently liberated and mysterious Trandals.

Get the Heroes of Star Control: Origins DLC today for 10% off: https://store.steampowered.com/app/954810

Galactic Civilizations III is the most popular space-based turn based strategy of all time. Your civilization has just achieved faster-than-light travel and the galaxy awaits you. But you are not alone and must deal with alien civilizations through diplomacy, trade, cultural hegemony, or military conquest either against the computer or against friends online.



The Tywom - Hello, best friends!
These yellow slug-like aliens would like a hug. They’re slimy, and you don’t want to give them one, but still - it’s all they really want. The Tywom want to be friends with everyone, which makes them great diplomats, and their constant desire for approval gives them a bonus for any other factions who happen to love them.



The Mu'Kay - Greetings, Federation members!
Founders of the Federation for Allied Species, the Mu’Kay are intelligent cephalopods who live entirely in aquatic environments. Their natural intelligence makes them excellent researchers, and their polite (if occasionally condescending) manner lends itself well to diplomacy. Unless you’re a fish. Then prepare to be eaten.



The Mowlings - All hail the mighty Jeff!
The Mowlings are small, bear-like creatures who worship a mysterious deity they call Jeff. Frankly, they’re a little lost without him, so they spend their time finding new ways to worship him. The Mowlings get a special Temple of Jeff improvement (one per planet) that grants bonuses to influence and approval, and in return Jeff orbits their planets protectively.



The Free Trandals - Cast off the shackles of the Overmind!
The Free Trandals are the escaped faction of a race that has been enslaved by a malevolent AI known only as Overmind, who uses their bodies to advance its own nefarious purposes. Now, the Free Trandals work to free their brethren and rebuild their lost culture with what little they have left. Possessing a surprising capability (and healthy paranoia) for advanced technology, the Free Trandals are far from helpless both on and off the battlefield. Their warrior instincts may be long buried, but their ships, while few in number, are enormously effective against silicon and synthetic based life forms.


Additional Features in Heroes of Star Control: Origins

• Dozens of new ship parts inspired by Star Control: Origins for building and modifying your own ships
  
• Several new music tracks from Star Control: Origins
  
• New faction traits
  
• New ship designs, colors, and styles

In addition to the release of the new DLC, v3.1 is also available today. This update adds some important AI and quality of life changes, as well as the ability for players to design their own color palettes for custom factions. With v3.1, players will be able to adjust the color scheme for the UI, maps, and ships as well. Full changelog here: https://steamcommunity.com/app/226860/discussions/1/1752358461524097202/

Happy Fall, everyone!

The Galactic Civilizations III team has been working on some updates and adjustments to the core edition that they’re excited to share with you… in the form of a poem. You can thank Kael for this one.

Features

• Added a new racial trait, Aeroponics which allows that race to build a special low yield farm on any terrain with the Xeno Adaptation technology (requires Crusade).

Fixes

• When you willingly start a campaign,
  A fleet may be spawned without name,
  If you click on that fleet - the result, bittersweet,
  Will engender a crash in our game.
  
• Fixed the Trial by Fire achievement.
  
• Fixed the Perseverance so it can now correctly colonize extreme worlds even if the player doesn't have the tech.
  
• Fixed an issue scavenging a trade ship where it wouldn't have a home port anymore.
  
• Fixed an end turn crash (thanks for all the reproducible saves!).

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!

See the full list of changes here: http://steamcommunity.com/app/202200/discussions/0/487877107136803698/

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!

See the full list of changes here: http://steamcommunity.com/app/202200/discussions/0/487877107136803698/