The SMAC/X FAQ: COMMON QUESTIONS and their ANSWERS

[Raion]

Finally got both to run (Alien Crossfire and Alpha Centauri) except it may help to start off in the right video mode. Not sure exactly yet, as I applied the Windows 2000/XP patch to the game, and finally it started.

Here is the Alpha Centauri.ini file as ended up so far for my system where the CPU reports not being supported:

[Alpha Centauri]
ds3d=1
eax=1
FastUnitAnim=0
SmoothUnitAnim=0
MainFontSize=16
InterludeFontSize=16
DisableOpeningMovie=0

[PREFERENCES]
ForceOldVoxelAlgorithm=1
Video Mode=1024



This seems to be slightly different than from what I remember, but since new Sound Blaster Live and new computer with Windows 2000 Professional with the patch for the game (I may try and uninstall that patch as it may not be needd -- multiplayer would only work with others with the patch), the game finally launched.

I wait a second or two before getting rid of the error message by clicking the 'Okay' command button, because the error message still comes up.

But right now, with the updated smacx2.exe patch and the SMAC_Win2000&XP_Compatibility_Update_v1[2].03f.exe patch, the game (both SMAC/Alien Crossfire) finally worked.






If the reply is in the wrong section, then sorry.

Works better than before.

[Raion]

Works both ways also with Windows 2000 Professional. Don't actually need the:
SMAC_Win2000&XP_Compatibility_Update_v1[2].03f.exe patch

So far.

[knowhow2]

Where cam i find the no crack (no CD-crack) download?

[CEO Aaron]

Originally posted by knowhow2
Where cam i find the no crack (no CD-crack) download?

Here: http://googlie2.tripod.com/rynnsgallery/id8.html

[Fazdaar]

How do you look at a person's save file? I've tried clicking on them, but a blank folder comes up.

[jhous]

Addition to FAQ #13

I had the same problem (new system, new pentium P4, WinXP). I applied all the patches including the "ini" file fix and it didn't help.

What worked for me (in addition to all patches and the "ini" fix) was applying the "no CD" crack (the one that allows you to play the game [Alien Crossfire] without a CD in the drive.

You still get the CPU error message but now you can say "okay" and it will proceed with the game (before it just dumped me back to the desktop).

Alien Crossfire has the "Safedisc" protection on it (that's what requires you to have the CD in the player). Get one of the safedisc remover programs (I used "Safedisc Annihilator.....it's free, readily available and easy to use....do a "Google" search for it).

[jhous]

Addition to FAQ #13

I had the same problem (new system, new pentium P4, WinXP). I applied all the patches including the "ini" file fix and it didn't help.

What worked for me was (in addition to patches and the "ini' fix) applying the "no CD" crack (the one that allows you to play the game [Alien Crossfire] without a CD in the drive.

You still get the CPU error message but now you can say "okay" and it will proceed with the game (before it just dumped me back to the desktop).

Alien Crossfire has the "Safedisc" protection on it (that's what requires you to have the CD in the player). Get one of the safedisc remover programs (I used "Safedisc Annihilator.....it's free, readily available and easy to use....do a "Google" search for it).

[laurentius]

Is there any news on SMAC 2/ Brians other projects?

[CEO Aaron]

Since Brian Reynolds has left Firaxis and created his own company (Big Huge Games) and created his own title (Rise of Nations), any effort at developing a second Alpha Centauri game is going to be at the hands of some other developer. For more information about Big Huge Games and their projects, go here:

http://www.bighugegames.com/

[CEO Aaron]

Q: What are the latest patches for SMAC/X, and what is changed by the patch(es)?

A: The latest patch for Sid Meier's Alpha Centauri is version 4.0, and can be found here:

http://www.firaxis.com/downloads_detail.cfm?file_id=1

The latest patch for Sid Meier's Alien Crossfire is version 2.0, and can be found here;

http://www.firaxis.com/downloads_detail.cfm?file_id=19

The precise nature of the changes applied by each patch are expounded upon on the above links. Yes, it is counter-intuitive that the base game and the expansion use separate versioning numbers, but we didn't make it that way. Sorry.

Q: If I have the expansion, do I need both patches?

A: No, downloading the SMAX 2.0 patch will update both gameplay modes.

Q: Can you explain how maintenance costs were altered by the SMAX 2.0 patch?

A: In prior versions of Alien Crossfire, base facility upkeep was incorrectly computed at Thinker and Transcend Difficulty. At Thinker, base upkeep was reduced to 2/3 it's correct value, so a Hologram Theatre (for example) would only require 2 ECs in upkeep. At Transcend, base upkeep was reduced to 1/3, so the same Hologram Theatre would only cost 1 EC each turn. Once the SMAX 2.0 patch is applied, all upkeep costs are identical at all difficulty levels, and match those in the online documentation.

Q: What about the XP compatibility patch?

A: You can get that here:

http://www.firaxis.com/downloads_detail.cfm?file_id=60

For users of Classic SMAC, the update implements the Golden Age Boom and Base Maintenance fixes introduced to SMAX in the 2.0 update. For SMAX users, this update only fixes problems running the game and playing multiplayer games on WinXP and 2000 systems.

[Azedalis]

Is there a way to tell if a Alien Artifact has been connected to a network node? I find it a real pain not knowing which city to send an artifact to.

[gwillybj]

Azedalis asked (Question #33?):
Is there a way to tell if a Alien Artifact has been connected to a network node? I find it a real pain not knowing which city to send an artifact to.

There are two ways:[list=1][*]With the Alien Artifact the active unit, press {G} (go to base). The list that appears is all of your bases (and your pact-mates') on the same landmass (or on the shore of the same sea if aboard a transport, in which case the transport must be the active unit). Any with an Unlinked Node will be so indicated, and you can easily select where to send the Alien Artifact. IIRC, if you built The Universal Translator, it, too, will be indicated.[*]If your monitor resolution is 800x600, you can look at the facilities listed in the Base Operations Status {F4}. All (linked) nodes will be so indicated.[/list=1]

[Commander Jace]

Is it possible to load missiles on to a transport?

"Missile Boats"

[Chaos Theory]

Answer 34?:

You can only load missiles (and other air units) on a unit with the carrier deck ability, which is only allowed on naval transports, and becomes available with Nanometallurgy, which is late-game.

Incidentally, you can pair the carrier deck ability with the deep pressure hull to make a submarine that can launch jets...

[laurentius]

Is there anykind of mod-swapper available to swap between the alternative factions? I mean something you could just load diffrent faction packs with or compile your own coctail from diffrent faction pacs i.e. 2 faction from the alpha, 3, from beta, 1, gamma etc...