Build 712 is now live in the public branch for all Galactic Ruler players!
Please note! The savegame file format was updated, savegames from the previous public build will not be compatible
Players who opt-in to the fasttrack branch have already seen these changes. We'd like to thank all of our users who have provided great feedback on various fasttrack builds so that we could get to this next stable milestone. Since our last public build, we've had 8 fasttrack builds so a lot has changed.
Core features
- Galaxy generation updated, map sizes reduced and system numbers increased
- --- Maximum supported systems in galaxy increased to 1024, landable planets in system to 64
- Space Pirate Factions added
- Surveying system for planets added as requirement to land/view a planet
- --- Tech tree rebalanced to accommodate this change
- --- Survey progress shown in unit order text, starts automatically when in position
- --- Unit specialty added to popup, unit lists, ongoing orders
- --- Alerts and notifications created, VFX created
- Planet Atmosphere's now limit colonization if not the proper type, design still in review.
- --- Most races need Earth Standard, more feedback needed for incompatible atmos
- --- Planet Generation system updated to accommodate these changes
- --- Atmosphere override value added to Region Profiles, to be used if planet is inhabited
- Unit Orders sequence updated for various order types for better logic flow
- ---Colonize/FTL/Drop/Launch
- Research techs now support two "leads to" values (tech A goes to B eventually)
- Feedback improved for system not surveyed/planet not surveyed/planet not landable
- Feedback added for "first time" user actions
- Land/Air/Sea/Space unit stats revised
- Back end improvements to land taken by lack of supply system
- Backend change to Theatres, BattleZones - support for space/planet
- Space Transit treaty added, implementation still in progress so has some quirks
- Govtype update, extra fields added
- Colony leaders set as faction variants
- Log file option can now be adjusted in the game menu
- CTRL+SHIFT on start now uses default game resolution and default scaling
- Production department market information restricted until at least one faction discovered
- Warning message for version mismatch on savegames
- Various localization updates
AI
- AI work on understanding open space for pathing
- AI improvement, understanding planet/system levels for response to action request
- --- AI request/response system increased from 16 to 32 records, rebalanced
- Updated AI parameters, now building space units
- Updated AI research routines
- --- now also considers aiinterest of leadsto[] techs when selecting research
- --- AI will look at all categories for next best tech
- Updated AI Ruler code to add energy not cash to treaty offers
- --- AI Ruler, AI Colony and updatetrades() to not offer/ask for cash
- Fixes to AI adding units to production queue
- Back end work for Theaters/Battlezones for AI
Multiplayer
- Major updates to how multiplayer sync is managed
- ---Fix for AMD vs. Intel 64 bit calculation differences
- Multiplayer chat redesign, now supports whisper using @ in chat
- Multiplayer map ping function added to right click menu
- Multiplayer lobby generate/start functionality adjusted
- UI fixes in Multiplayer lobby for selected faction images
User Interface
- Fonts updated
- Colony factions will now use separate UI skin
- Defaults for Maximum zoom in, space path lines updated (reset options to see changes)
- Extensive revision on UI backgrounds so panels line up properly, layout fixes
- List Lines updated so that action buttons show only for moused over lines where suitable
- Alerts list style updated
- Minimap information panels updated
- Filters and Elements updated
- Hotspots UI updated, added option to right click menu
- Command Department at system level now has class filters
- Rules of Engagement UI improved to be in sync with unit selections
- Birth/Death/FTL stats added to faction information at lobby
- Various UI and graphics fixes
Technologies and Research
- Support for techs that are accessible to only specific regions
- --- If blank, accessible to all
- --- First pass of techs for race atmosphere requirements added
- Button to open tech popup added to tech recommendation
- --- Last researched technology shows when minister has no recommendations
- Pending lists merged back to Researching/Building lists
- Tech tree updated to support non-FTL colony ship in early game and other additions
- Colonies will inherit unit build regions (buildavail) of parent; will keep if liberated
- Tech tree use of "tradable" flag reviewed and updated
Visuals and Graphics
- FTL effect updated, spin up progress lost and visual will stop when order is cancelled, effects now restricted to line of sight
- --- FTL icon shows on hex when FTL jump inbound
- --- 2D effect system updated to support this
- New Models
- ---In-System Colony ships
- ---Survey ships
- ---Second set of land/air units (naval in progress)
- Faction colors show on traded space units
- Terrain types initial implementation for "alien" worlds (pink world)
- Visuals of stars in UI improved
- Mesh support for See-through objects (rotors/propellers)
- City mesh updates
- Updated ship model IDs assigned to various races
- Timing for 3D effects updated
Game Engine
- Improved memory management and performance
- Game stability improvements
- Internal optimizations to main menu and starting lobbies
- Code cleanup of listbox objects, data structures
- Update ParticleSystem to prevent crashes and improve performance
- Specialty units (Command/Garrison/Guerilla/Partisan) id’s now defined inwmdata file
General Fixes
- Fixes to select of single units / rubber banding /Shift+rubber banding
- Land units turn speed increased
- Minister suggested location for space dock fixed
- Nav Points now kept in savegames, properly cleared from memory
- Minor audio updates
- Fixed space autobuild to work even if no planet autobuild is set
- Fixed Rally Points at system level
- Build Space Dock order restricted to neutral territory
- Change level button grid/hide conditions updated
- Build units on map, (map mode) now showing facility information on mouseover
- Navpoints now empire bound (colony using parent region playernum)
- Research item progress bar in “Leads to techs” box fixed
- Cargo unload selected / unload all condition updated
- Function of centring when clicking on flags updated slightly to focus location before changing levels.
- UI Updates for "filter reserves/deployed by class"
- Restrict to current level, unless galaxy
- Planetary AI requests are only responded to by units on same planet
- Governor will no longer recommend research that is in progress
- Colonies now have explore=true for their own planet/system when established
- Multiplayer lobby names will no longer allow for line breaks
- Improved flat/groundplane mesh draw to avoid flickering textures
- Fixed wrapmap situation in effects3D