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Expand Your Galactic Civilizations For Free

Posted by simoniker on from the new-life-beyond-zeta-reticuli dept.

Thanks to GamersWithJobs for pointing to the free Expanded Universe add-on for PC strategy title Galactic Civilizations, launching later today, and expanding this previously discussed game with multiple features (better AI, new ships, new random events) for free, providing the player installs the Stardock Central updater. The site explains their rationale: "Statistically, only a tiny fraction of the total sales of the game occur direct [from the developer]... but with that 10%, a different incentive is created - keep the game fresh and improving over time in order to help sales over a long period."

7 comments

  1. Awesome! by Daetrin · · Score: 3, Interesting

    This is a great game, especially when compared to the diapointing Masters of Orion 3. (Although MoO fans be warned, the gameplay is more like Civ in space than MoO) I just wish i had more time to play it, although a free expansion pack is the perfect excuse to make some time :)

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    1. Re:Awesome! by Arawn · · Score: 1

      I completely agree. GalCiv is a great game, and the developers seem to have an interest in keeping it fun to play. Its also very expandable with user created modules, so it doesn't get boring after a few rounds.

  2. It's worth it! by Universal+Nerd · · Score: 2, Interesting

    and it's worth it.

    Galactic Civilizations is probably gonna be my single 4X (eXplore,eXpand,eXploit,eXterminate - or something like that) for the next few years.

    It's worth every penny - the graphics are nice but the gameplay is just plain awsome as the mechanics are well thought out and the enemies are challenging depending on the level of dificulty.

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    Ash nazg durbatuluk, ash nazg gimbatul Ash nazg thrakatuluk agh burzum-ishi krimpatul
  3. Comparisons... by phraktyl · · Score: 2

    I haven't played this game for years---I had the original GalCiv on OS/2. Does anyone know how this compares to the original? Is it a port with updated graphics? Is it completely different in all but the name?

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    1. Re:Comparisons... by mindlar · · Score: 2, Informative

      I never played the original on OS/2. However I was one of the beta testers for the current version. The same developer built all of the GalCiv games, so there is a lot of continuity between them. The differences are basically more things have been added. All the original races are still in existance. You are limited to playing as the humans (I don't know if you could play as the others), but that isn't very limiting as you can customize them anyway you want. More starships have been added, larger galaxies are possible. Multiple planets orbit stars (I don't believe that was the cas in the original). Starbases, trade (not sure if new), and culture (ala Civ3, but implemented better) have been added. If you liked the original and/or 4X games in general you will probably like GalCiv.

    2. Re:Comparisons... by SDrifter · · Score: 2, Informative

      The gameplay is very similar to the OS/2 version, in that you still colonize planets, and fight pretty much the same people. The combat system is still pretty much the same, as well.

      The diplomacy system is completely redone, and you can make any offer at any time, instead of going through a list of predefined offers. In addition, you also fight to control galactic resources, which provide bonuses to your entire civilization.

      Of course, the tech tree, ships and planetary improvements are changed somewhat.

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  4. Sweet by pocopoco · · Score: 1

    I actually bought this game after..uh..'sampling' it off the net. Now I'm even more impressed and glad I threw in my support. Of course I preordered and bought MoO3 only to be disappointed on that game, so maybe I'm in backlash mode. ^^