OK, what do I have to do next?

[Jamski]

Well, I'm sitting at work getting all excited about tonight - I downloaded GalCiv last night (left it running and went to bed) I couldn't wait for my corner computer shop to get it from America - and I'm desperate to get home and start playing.

So... what should I do before I start? I've heard some people caused problems by doing things in the wrong order. I assume I should :

1.) Install GalCiv from the Zip
2.) Run the stardockcentral.exe that was in the small second downloaded file.
3.) Register on Brad's website
4.) Download the bonus pack
5.) Install the Bonus Pack
6.) Download the latest patch
7.) Install the latest patch
8.) PLAY

Have I got this right, or am I going to be in a world of pain/having to DL the whole game again/whatever?

Any tips for my first game would also be appreciated - I don't intend to read the manual untill before my second game.

-Jam

[yin26]

You'll love the game! Personally, I wouldn't bother with StardockCentral since it's just too buggy from all I've read. I'd install the game as normal, register with their forum, and download the latest standalone patch (1.02). 1.03 as standalone will be released soon. I personally don't mind waiting for the standalone since it gets more polish.

Tips for your first game: Have fun! Make mistakes. Enjoy the AI. When you're ready to start looking for ways to beat up the AI, you've got many good players here who can help.

[Harry Seldon]

And average players like me.

[Ray K]

Re: OK, what do I have to do next?

You seem to have the ordering correct.

I would certainly install Stardock. It's a nifty tool for updating and I haven't had any problems with it. I guess if it does give you problems, you can always uninstall it.

I do not expect the "official" patch cycle to stay as aggressive as it has been, and using Stardock for intermediate patches will be great if that happens.

[Harry Seldon]

The only problem I've had is SDC not recognizing what I have installed. It only happened the first time. There's a file you have to replace if it happens. I can't remember the directory but the file to replace is gc1.xml and it is replaced by renaming orig_gc1.xml. I'd check in SDC Chat before trying it; everyone there was very patient and willing to help.

[bonscott]

Just a note that if you install SDC you don't need to download the bonus pack or any patches from the web site. You'll do all that within SDC itself. I highly recommend SDC. Haven't had a single problem with it and it sure was nice getting the minor patch the end of last week to fix the nagging economy bug.

[Jamski]

Thanks guys. I've done as suggested by the majority (sorry yin) and inszalled the BP and patch through SDC. One problem now though - why do my planets not build anything, and the year/month never advances (I'm assuming the two are related) I'm pressing end turn for all I'm worth.

Also the numberpad doesn't seem to be working

I'm trying a reinstallation now... but if anyone knows what kinda dumbass thing I'm doing wrong?

Thanks

-Jam

[bonscott]

Numberpad: I always have to turn numlock off when I play the game to get it to work.

[Jamski]

Thanks, I just worked that out - now, how do I get it to go from Jan to Feb? Actually, how do I get from April to May??? I can explore the whole galaxy and collect all the anomalites without actually reserching the first tech, because although I can move, and pressing enter twice gets me the ability to move again - the turn doen't change. I have to play the fourth turn over and over or what?

-Jam

[Jamski]

And now it works after three e-mails from the support guys. Stardock are flicking unbeliveable. I've never known any company support so well. I had real people sending real e-mails to me, about 10mins after I asked for help. Go Stardock!

-Jam

[Harry Seldon]

They truly are gods.

[Felch]

Have at it WoA. It's one of the best games I've ever played, and I have faith it'll even take a hallowed place up with Civ one day.

[Jamski]

Must switch off GalCiv and go to work...

-Jam

[Harry Seldon]

Just remember to take your GalCiv disk with you.

[Jamski]

Hehehe ! Unfortunately I only have the direct download. I suppose I could burn the .zip onto a CD.... Actually I've been reading the manual today instead of doing any work.

I'm at work now, but I'm going home an hour early. I have to see if I can beat the AI on "fool" intelligence GO FASTER CLOCK

-Jam