Alpha Centauri 2

Sid Meier's Alpha Centauri & Alien Crossfire => The Theory of Everything => Topic started by: Mako on February 19, 2013, 12:26:28 pm

Title: What patches should I apply to the GOG version?
Post by: Mako on February 19, 2013, 12:26:28 pm

Dear all,

I've been playing SMAC/X for almost a decade now. I've had many re-installations sprees in which I take that old game and play it like mad for days, yet again. I was very suprised to discover this forum, and given GOG's ease of use, and my willingness to support, yet again, the developers, I bought and downloaded the game.

As of February 18th 2013, the version available for download was 2.0.23

What patches have to be applied to this one?

Thanks

Title: Re: What patches should I apply to the GOG version?
Post by: BFG on February 19, 2013, 02:58:24 pm

This is just a guess, as I don't have the GOG version.  But, based on the stated version (2.0.23), I would assume that the GOG version has all of the official patches, as well as the XP compatibility patch, applied.

If that's the case, then I'd recommend adding the following:
For SMAX: Apply Yitzi's patch 1.3, which he just posted a few days ago.  This fixes several bugs and also adds new configuration options to alphax.txt.
For SMAC: Consider adding kyrub's patch.  This is considered a test AI patch (to improve the AI's competitiveness) so may have some strange behavior.  If you want to play it safe you can apply scient's old patch instead.
For both: You may need to add the "Fixed SMAX Sounds" patch that I posted recently...this fixes five of the sound files which won't play with SMAX 2.0.23.  If the Missile Launcher or Singularity Disruptor make no sound during combat, you need it.  You'll also want the datalinks update: http://forums.civfanatics.com/showthread.php?p=7245097#post7245097 (http://forums.civfanatics.com/showthread.php?p=7245097#post7245097)

Title: Re: What patches should I apply to the GOG version?
Post by: ete on February 19, 2013, 03:15:06 pm

You'll also want the datalinks update: http://forums.civfanatics.com/showthread.php?p=7245097#post7245097 (http://forums.civfanatics.com/showthread.php?p=7245097#post7245097)

And if you like custom factions, the network node bundle has a large set of them. Many are buggy/crash/extremely overpowered, and one of my projects is going to be fixing that, but for now you can see information on them here: http://alphacentauri2.info/wiki/Category:Custom_factions (http://alphacentauri2.info/wiki/Category:Custom_factions) or download: http://alphacentauri2.info/index.php?action=downloads;sa=view;down=102 (http://alphacentauri2.info/index.php?action=downloads;sa=view;down=102)

Title: Re: What patches should I apply to the GOG version?
Post by: sisko on February 19, 2013, 03:36:40 pm

welcome to alphacentauri2.info, Mako!

Quote from: BFG on February 19, 2013, 02:58:24 pm

This is just a guess, as I don't have the GOG version.  But, based on the stated version (2.0.23), I would assume that the GOG version has all of the official patches, as well as the XP compatibility patch, applied..

i can confirm that the latest GOG version has all the official patches.

Title: Re: What patches should I apply to the GOG version?
Post by: Mako on February 20, 2013, 06:14:56 am

Thanks to everyone for the replies. I will continue adding information to this post in case it becomes useful for someone else. We could also create a page in the wiki for new GOGers like me.

I will check if the sound files are working or not, but I suspect not as Petek indicated that this is just a SMAX v2 patched version for Windows XP (BTW I'm using windows 8, 64bit). In addition, I have noticed the following bugs, which I really can't remember if I had as well when I ran it in Windows XP (patched):

- My fans start to work as if it was a modern 3d game. I have a mid-end, newish laptop.
- I can't alt-tab.

As for the resolution, I can't really tell if it's 800x600 or 1024x768. Is it configured somewhere? Anyhow it looks well enough.

I will also try applying some of the patches.

Regards.

Title: Re: What patches should I apply to the GOG version?
Post by: ete on February 20, 2013, 12:13:00 pm

Quote from: Mako on February 20, 2013, 06:14:56 am

Thanks to everyone for the replies. I will continue adding information to this post in case it becomes useful for someone else. We could also create a page in the wiki for new GOGers like me.

Good idea, anyone who wants feel free to start it (http://alphacentauri2.info/wiki/Installing) (and don't worry about formatting, I can go over and fix. also, your wiki account should automatically be made if you visit the wiki while logged on here.).

Title: Re: What patches should I apply to the GOG version?
Post by: Petek on February 20, 2013, 12:33:51 pm

Alt-tabbing was deliberately disabled by GOG. They state that it caused problems on some systems.

Title: Re: What patches should I apply to the GOG version?
Post by: Earthmichael on February 23, 2013, 05:37:41 am

Quote from: BFG on February 19, 2013, 02:58:24 pm

This is just a guess, as I don't have the GOG version.  But, based on the stated version (2.0.23), I would assume that the GOG version has all of the official patches, as well as the XP compatibility patch, applied.

If that's the case, then I'd recommend adding the following:
For SMAX: Apply Yitzi's patch 1.3, which he just posted a few days ago.  This fixes several bugs and also adds new configuration options to alphax.txt.
For SMAC: Consider adding kyrub's patch.  This is considered a test AI patch (to improve the AI's competitiveness) so may have some strange behavior.  If you want to play it safe you can apply scient's old patch instead.
You may also need to add the "Fixed SMAX Sounds" patch that I posted recently...this fixes five of the sound files which won't play with SMAX 2.0.23.  If the Missile Launcher or Singularity Disruptor make no sound during combat, you need it.

If I understand correctly, all players in a multiplayer game need to have the same unofficial patch.

If this is true, then you need to check for the multiplayer games you are playing what patch is being used.

I think the standard for the games here is the scient patch, but I could be wrong.

I like the idea of using Yitzi's patch for all of the bug fixes, but I don't know what affect that would have on multiplayer games in progress.

Can any of the experts on patches comment on this?   Thanks!

Title: Re: What patches should I apply to the GOG version?
Post by: Mako on February 25, 2013, 10:40:08 am

Hi guys (and gals if any, which I doubt),

I've started work on the wiki page for installation. http://alphacentauri2.info/wiki/Installing (http://alphacentauri2.info/wiki/Installing)

For the time being I can only add steps for the GOG version. I do own original SMAC / SMAX (great story about finding them precinted in a street market, and the guy thinking that he was doing a great deal by selling me an old game for 10 euros), but left the physical copies back in Spain when I moved down under.

I still haven't got the time to get to the patches testing, etc. To be honest, I just started playing again and hours went by. I need to crush those pesky Caretakers before getting to this. Having such a great time lately.

Regards.

Title: Re: What patches should I apply to the GOG version?
Post by: ete on February 25, 2013, 03:26:31 pm

Cool, good start. I'll add some links.

Title: Re: What patches should I apply to the GOG version?
Post by: Yitzi on February 25, 2013, 03:37:44 pm

Quote from: Earthmichael on February 23, 2013, 05:37:41 am

I like the idea of using Yitzi's patch for all of the bug fixes, but I don't know what affect that would have on multiplayer games in progress.

Can any of the experts on patches comment on this?   Thanks!

In the readme for my patch, it gives rules for updating a map or game to fit the patch (using a hex editor).  If you do that with the game, and everyone is using the same patch version, it should work ok.

Title: Re: What patches should I apply to the GOG version?
Post by: BFG on February 26, 2013, 06:06:56 pm

Quote from: ete on February 19, 2013, 03:15:06 pm

You'll also want the datalinks update: http://forums.civfanatics.com/showthread.php?p=7245097#post7245097 (http://forums.civfanatics.com/showthread.php?p=7245097#post7245097)

Thanks for the heads' up on this, ete.  Somehow I missed the Datalinks Update when I looked through the downloads section.

Does this update modify the descriptions of all facilities, secret projects, etc. to describe what they really do in-game?

Title: Re: What patches should I apply to the GOG version?
Post by: ete on February 26, 2013, 06:09:12 pm

Not all, no. Just better than the original in many places. My version should be closer, but still far from perfect, and I'd like to work on it a bit more before recommending it.