Galactic Civilizations IV News

[h2]There is more new and changed in GalCiv IV: Supernova than all the changes coming from GalCiv II through GalCiv IV (base game) combined.[/h2]

The chart below doesn’t really do justice to the magnitude of the changes. This journal entry will talk about it.




First, let me introduce myself. I’m Brad Wardell. I designed the original Galactic Civilizations for OS/2 back in 1992 which went into beta in (wait for it) October 1993 which is when I incorporated Stardock from my dorm room in college. Back then, I designed, programmed and did most of the art (poorly).

When our company moved to Microsoft Windows, I designed the Windows versions of Galactic Civilizations I and II.

Then I took a break from GalCiv to go co-found Oxide Games and Mohawk Games with my friends and with the money we had earned selling Impulse to GameStop.

After GalCiv IV was released in April 2022, I began to take a long look at the game. It had been a long time since I’d really looked at GalCiv. During GalCiv III, I designed the Crusade expansion but just didn’t have the opportunity to work on GalCiv much until recently.

I saw what they were going for with GalCiv IV but I really wanted to take the game in a different direction. And the Steam release was the opportunity to do that. So for the past several months, my life has been all GalCiv. If you’re on Discord or the forums you probably see me as Frogboy or Draginol (a character that came from the original GalCiv lore I wrote back in the 1990s). It would not be an exaggeration to say that this game has been my life for the past few months.

If you liked GalCiv II, you will probably like GalCiv IV. If you liked GalCiv III, you…hopefully will like GalCiv IV.

And this isn’t the end. Not by any means. I feel like we’ve just scratched the surface with what this game can do. And with your help, we’re going to do things that no space strategy game has ever done.

Galactic Civilizations IV: Supernova releases on October 19th, 2023 at 1PM Est. Join us for a release day livestream event where we will play the game; talk about what's new, create a new civilization with AlienGPT, provide tips on managing Core Worlds, navigate the tech tree, create a custom ship and tap into some additional midgame content.

See you on October 19th!

Since the first Galactic Civilizations game, we’ve always had the technology victory condition. When the player researched this very expensive technology, they won the game. Simple enough right?

Unfortunately, while it was straightforward to win that way, it was very unsatisfying to lose that way. In Galactic Civilizations II, we tried a host of different options including having a warning letting the player know that “Player X is nearing a technological victory.” That doesn’t really work though because what if that player is on the other side of the map? You’re helpless to prevent their victory.

For Galactic Civilizations III, we kept the technology victory in but prevented the AI from researching the necessary tech to win. This prevented the sudden human player loss but was pretty unsatisfying as a strategy game experience.

So what about Galactic Civilizations IV: Supernova Edition? We created something new: Stat Mutations.

[h2]Stat Mutations[/h2]
A stat mutation is where we can say a given stat, like your economy or your influence changes M every N turns.




To make use of this, we made it so that the end culture trait unlocks a technology that can be researched. For example, the end of the Individualism culture progression tree is Sovereign Identity. Getting this unlocks a tech called Individual Divinity. This tech is extremely expensive but when researched, your citizens start gaining 0.1 to all their stats every turn. Which means, eventually…gradually your people will become god-like in their production abilities in every category.

An expensive tech that results in a per turn buff allows the AI to participate in the end game.




For example, the Dream of Utopia technology results in your capital world increasing its influence generation by 1 per turn every turn. Left alone long enough and they will overwhelm the universe with their influence. But that’s just the thing – left along long enough. There’s a way to respond to it. And in this case, it lets the player play tall since it’s just the capital world.

[h2]A Satisfying Victory[/h2]
For players, this means they can see a way to win the game that doesn’t feel cheap. That goes doubly for players who don’t want their game to suddenly end due to the AI just researching a tech.

Now, as a practical matter, because these Mutating stat techs are incredibly expensive and are only available as a result of getting to the end of the culture tree, it means that those getting these techs have probably “won” the game anyway. But this feels a lot more organic and natural than a simple “You win” message because you got a tech.

In the vast cosmos of gaming, we often find ourselves leading empires, commanding armies, and forging alliances. But have you ever wondered about the individuals who make up these galactic civilizations, and the leaders who steer their destinies towards triumph?

In this episode, we embark on a cosmic journey to meet the Citizens and Leaders of the Purrshan League, a civilization of peaceful, friendly cat-like creatures navigating the challenges of a universe filled with passive-aggressive neighbors.

[previewyoutube][/previewyoutube]


[h2]Meet the Purrshan League[/h2]
The Purrshan League is a unique race of Felinoid aliens led by their glorious leader, Felora Clawheart, who also holds the prestigious title of Governor of their homeworld, Purrshara. Surrounding her are loyal Citizens, each representing millions of minions, all eager to please and willing to live and die at their leader's whim.

As the Purrshan League ventures into the vast and perilous galaxy, they must work diligently to construct the infrastructure necessary for future colonization efforts. Take, for instance, Matthew Li, whose high Resolve of 7 makes him an ideal Worker, significantly boosting Purrshara's Manufacturing output.


[h2]Ministers and Governors [/h2]
With their fertility and rapid reproduction rate, the Purrshan League has an urgent need to colonize new planets. However, challenges arise when they identify a potential Core World at Merlin III, a distant planet well beyond their current travel range. What's the solution?

First, they established the Colonial Leadership Council to facilitate the recruitment of Leaders. Subsequently, they draft Colonists to lay claim to Purrshara III, extending their range in that direction. A critical boost comes from researching Subspace Streaming, providing a +2 Ship Range increase. Yet, they still fall short of their target.

Enter Bruno Meurt, recruited as the Minister of Exploration, to augment Ship Range with his remarkable Diligence. Simultaneously, Baal O'Malley is appointed as the Minister of Technology to enhance their civilization's Research output. These strategic moves allow the Purrshan League to move closer to their colonization goal.

Their journey is not without challenges, as they encounter the Altarians on their way to Merlin III. To maximize efficiency, Merlin III is transformed into a Core World, and Alden War, with his high Diligence, is chosen as the Governor, ensuring an impressive Manufacturing bonus on the desert planet.


[h2]Diplomats & Factions[/h2]
As the Purrshan League continues their expansion, the highly cultured Altarians exert influence out into our territory. This threat prompts the Purrshan League to prepare for potential conflict while maintaining peaceful relations with neighboring civilizations.

Leveraging their Fertile trait and Population Boom, the Purrshan League utilizes their fast Growth and colonizes several high-Class planets. Diplomats are appointed to manage relations with neighboring civilizations: Bara Millin becomes the Diplomat to the Altarians, aiming to influence cultural flips, while Jackie Chanler strategically increases Crime within the Yor's territory when assigned as their Diplomat.

Charles Jones takes up the role of Governor on the paradise world of Cinabar III, using his high Intelligence to increase Research efforts there. Yet, with a limited pool of Leaders for recruitment, it appears the Purrshan League must leave their three remaining planets as Colonies for now.

Or so they thought! A breakthrough occurs when they discover Leadership Recruiting in the Governance Tech Tree, introducing the Invite Leaders Executive Order. This enables the immediate replenishment of recruitable Leaders at a small Control cost, allowing them to convert a couple more Colonies into Core Worlds.


[h2]Economic Challenges and Solutions [/h2]
Expanding rapidly takes a toll on Felora Clawheart's intergalactic bank account. In dire need of resources, the Purrshan League switches out Population Boom for Land Exploitation in Civilization Policies, gaining a substantial economic boost but increases Pollution. The Purrshan's natural Fertility partially counteracts these ecological consequences, and they plan to return to a more sustainable population growth once their finances stabilize.

Factions play a vital role in enhancing Population Growth during periods of high Pollution. A Leader is assigned to the Natural League, slightly increasing Food expenditure but ensuring continued population growth amidst the environmental challenges. Later on, Leaders can be added to the Warforged Faction to bolster Military manufacturing output.


[h2]Commanders & Soldiers[/h2]
With war on the horizon, the Purrshan League gears up to reclaim Altair. Planetary Mobilization transforms their Citizens into Soldiers, and Planetary Invasion unlocks Transports for swift deployment.

As expected, Altarian-backed rebels incite a rebellion on Merlin II, leading to a decisive declaration of war. The Purrshan League assembles fleets under the command of Adam Isoda, the newly recruited Commander of The Gaze, a powerful warship.

After constructing Transports, they embark on a daring mission to Altair, bolstered by technological advances such as Stellar Marines, Drone Soldiers, and Killbots. The Altarians are blindsided and ultimately overwhelmed by the superior forces of the Purrshan League.

Altair quickly falls, and Merlin II is saved, marking a significant victory for the space cats.



Citizens and Leaders are the unsung heroes who shape the fate of civilizations. Their management is pivotal to industrial progress and the success of interstellar campaigns. As you embark on your own gaming adventures, remember the lessons learned from the Purrshan League's journey: manage your human resources, and prepare for the challenges that await!

https://store.steampowered.com/app/1357210/Galactic_Civilizations_IV/

[h2]Highlighted Features:[/h2]

• NEW! Korath Civilization: The Korath Clan returns, vicious as ever!
  
• NEW! Modding Workshop: Players can now browse, download, and manage custom community created content.
  
• NEW! Galactapedia: An in-game encyclopedia of concepts and terms.
  
• NEW! Missions: Curated challenges on a custom galaxy and win conditions.
  
• Sector Bonus: You now earn a Bonus for owning a Sector.
  
• Consequence Events: Events where your choices early on have effects much later.
  
• Culture Trait Update: Added powerful new "Capstone" traits to set your Civilization on the path to victory.
  
• More Civilization Focused Content: Unique tech, planetary improvements, and other content based on Civilization abilities, biology, and culture.
  
• Major quality of life improvements, including Auto-Asteroid Mining, a Monthly Summary screen, minimizing event windows, etc.
  
• Big AI Update: Improved decision-making, reduced nagging, enhanced economic management, and more responsive to wartime circumstance.
  
• Improved galaxy generation, including larger maps.
  
• Tons of crash fixes.
• Tons of bug fixes.
• Much much more!

[h2]View the full changelog here[/h2]


https://store.steampowered.com/app/1357210/Galactic_Civilizations_IV/