Galaxy setup
From the Galactic Civilizations Wiki
The Galaxy setup screen allows the user to configure the type of galaxy the game will take place in.
Contents |
[edit] Galaxy Size
Setting the galaxy size determines how many sectors there will be in the galaxy (or in other words, how big the map will be). The number of stars, planets, etc. that populate the galaxy can be configured lower and are independent of the size. If you wish to use a custom map, it can be specified here.
| Galaxy Size | Sectors | Total Sectors |
|---|---|---|
| Tiny | 3x3 | 9 |
| Small | 4x4 | 16 |
| Medium | 5x5 | 25 |
| Large | 8x8 | 64 |
| Huge | 12x12 | 144 |
| Gigantic | 18x18 | 324 |
| Immense(TA) | 22x22 | 484 |
[edit] Scenario
A normal setting here will set the default victory conditions. Other scenarios may be selected, which may have some text that explains the different rules and victory conditions that apply. Some of the other settings may be disabled based on the selected scenario.
[edit] Victory Conditions
You can specifically toggle Research, Alliance, and Influence victories off and on. If all of these are toggled off, the conquest victory is the only way to win.
[edit] Game Options
Disable Tech Trading - As the name suggests, this disables the trading of technology through diplomacy. You can still obtain technology from other races via conquest or espionage.
Blind Exploration - Unchecked, you can see the territory of other races as a coloured blob on the mini-map (if you turn on the Ownership filter) meaning you will know exactly where they have started in relation to you. Checked, you need to explore the map first in order to see territory on the mini-map.
Disable Minor Races - Allows you to turn off those minor races that start with you in the galaxy, and those that settle later on.
[edit] Galaxy Settings
Habitable Planets, Number of Planets, Number of Stars, and Anomalies can be adjusted to determine how frequently they occur within the galaxy. The frequency can be set to (in increasing order of frequency) Rare, Uncommon, Occasional, Common, or Abundant.
Star Density determines the distribution of the stars within the galaxy. Obviously in a galaxy with Tight Clusters, each race is likely to find habitable worlds very close to their home world, and have to travel some way to meet other races. With Loose Clusters and Scattered as the stellar distribution setting, it becomes more likely that you will have to send your colony ships further and meet your rivals sooner. Galaxy with Tight Clusters also has less stars than the galaxy with Lose Clusters, which in turn has less stars than the Scattered one.
Technology Rate can be set to modify the base price of all technology. The settings (in order of decreasing price) are Very Slow, Slow, Normal, Fast, or Very Fast. Tech rate also varies with the size of the galaxy - the bigger the galaxy, the more tech points the player needs to research certain item.
There is also a Random setting for each of the above which chooses a condition randomly.
[edit] Pointers, by Twiggy Trippit
The settings can be a bit overwhelming for beginners, so here are a few pointers. I've only played the Dark Avatar expansion, so things might be a bit different for Dread Lords.
Galaxy size affects the length and pacing of the game. Smaller galaxies make shorter games, but often require you to play in a hurry at the beginning to claim good planets. To get a feel of the game before delving into something more involved, beginners should avoid selecting anything larger than a medium-sized galaxy.
Double-check to confirm that the victory conditions that you might want to achieve in this game are enabled. The last thing you want is to realize that you forgot to enable victory conditions other than conquest victory half-way through a fantastic diplomacy game (this happened to me, and also to my roommate).
Tech trading favors civilizations that are good with diplomacy. It also provides an alternative way of obtaining techs that may not be your civ's specialty.
For beginners, the game is easier if Blind Exploration is unchecked, although it is less realistic.
Minor races are civilizations that don't colonize other worlds, and who cannot win the game. It's possible to trade with them, and to go to war with them if you feel so inclined. They tend to live on good planets.
A lower number of habitable planets means that they are more valuable when they're found. In a smaller galaxy, or if stars and planets are rare, there could be only a handful of decent planets to be colonized - planet improvement techs will be invaluable, and competition with other civs will be fierce to obtain the best worlds. However, a large number of habitable planets means a lot of micro-management. Also, a larger number of star systems means that the exploration phase at the start of the game lasts longer.
Anomalies provide cash bonuses, permanent ability bonuses, and the wormhole anomalies teleport your survey ship elserwhere in the universe. Anomalies help early in the game, provided you build survey ships (your initial flagship is a survey ship), but they make the game more random. Asteroids provide extra ressources for your planets if your space miners work on them; they can help in games where habitable planets are rare.
