are these links up-to-date? because the RaceConfig.xml still contains the -30 diplo penatly of the Yor. There's also no new parties although the changelog mention them...

Okay, the zip-file is up-to-date now.

The new political parties still need some work. Primarily their descriptions and the bonuses.

I've also adjusted the default-parties for some of the races:

Terrans - Egalitarians

Drengin - Totalitarians

Arceans - Industrialists

Torians - Expansionists

Yor - Isolationists

Please tell me what you think of them.

Lastly, I have some concerns regarding the Federalists party. Is it just me, or is this party a bit weak?

I had another look, and am now getting the same values as you. In my previous test, I began with the Terrans (no bonus) and then took control of the Torians (+10% bonus). That may have caused an error in the range-calculation.

Agreed. How about a cost of 20 points? Or would 15 be better?

How about increasing the bonus to +30%? Or adding a +10% bonus to Social Production?

All right, here are the new files and the updated changelog. I've made sure that all of the mentioned changes have actually been done this time.

Here is an overview of all that is new:

AbilityBonuses.xml
Range: changed Description from "+1 to Initial Range" to "+2 parsecs to Initial Range", changed Cost from 30 to 20

PoliticalParties.xml
Federalists: changed Economy-bonus from +20% to +30%
Mercantile: changed -20% Economy to -30% Economy
Totalitarians: new party, +10% Economy, +20% Military Production, +20% Loyalty, opposing party: Egalitarians
Expansionists: new party, +10% Speed, +10% Pop-Growth, +10% Range, opposing party: Isolationists
Isolationists: new party, +10% Morale, +20% Social Production, +20% Loyalty, opposing party: Expansionists
Egalitarians: new party, +10% Research, +10% Diplomacy, +10% Morale, opposing party: Totalitarians

RaceConfig.xml
removed Basic Space Construction from starting techs
Terran Alliance: changed PoliticalParty from Mercantiles to Egalitarians
Drengin Empire: changed PoliticalParty from War Party to Totalitarians
Arcean Empire: changed PoliticalParty from War Party to Industrialists
Torian Confederation: changed PoliticalParty from Populists to Expansionists
Yor Collective: changed PoliticalParty from Industrialists to Isolationists

StarbaseModules.xml
re-added Diplomatic Outpost: 10% Culture, Cost 100bc
re-added Foreign Relations Center: Tech Requirement Universal Translator, Module Requirement Diplomatic Outpost, 15% Culture, Cost 100bc
removed Interstellar Embassy
Imperium: changed Module Requirement from Interstellar Embassy to Foreign Relations Center
Missionary Support: changed Culture from 50% back to 25%
Kryniac Conversion Temple: changed Culture from 100% back to 50%
Kryniac Disciple Chamber: changed Culture from 150% back to 100%
Utopian Society: changed Module Requirement from Interstellar Embassy to Foreign Relations Center, changed Culture from 200% back to 50%
Xeno Influence Module: renamed to Xeno Influence, changed Module Requirement from None to Utopian Society
Starbase Factory: changed Tech Requirement from Basic Space Construction to None
Adv. Starbase Factory: changed Description, changed production-assist from 5% back to 4%
Smart Drones: changed Tech Requirement from Cybernetic History back to Hyper Mainframes, changed Module Requirement from None to Starbase Factory, changed production-assist from 10% back to 4%
removed Orbital Slave Pits
Stellar Slave Center: changed Module Requirement from Orbital Slave Pits to Starbase Factory, changed production-assist from 8% to 6%
Adv. Stellar Slave Center: changed production-assist from 7% to 8%
Industrial Replication Center I: changed Tech Requirement from Advanced Robotics back to Industrial Replication I, changed Module Requirement from None back to Starbase Factory
Industrial Replication Center II: changed Tech Requirement from Industrial Replication I back to Industrial Replication II, changed production-assist from 5% to 6%
Industrial Replication Center III: changed Tech Requirement from Industrial Replication II back to Industrial Replication III
removed Interstellar Collectors (Thalan)
Resource Collector: changed Module Requirement from Interstellar Collectors back to Starbase Factory, changed production-assist from 15% back to 12%
Mfg. Vortex Factory: fixed typo (Manufactucting to Manufacturing), changed Module Requirement from Smart Drones back to Starbase Factory, changed production-assist from 8% back to 6%
Energy Matrix Center: changed production-assist from 7% back to 8%
Mining Barracks: changed Tech Requirement from Basic Space Construction back to None, changed Description
re-added Mining Center: Tech Requirement Artificial Gravity, Module Requirement Mining Barracks, 5% Mining
Mining Headquarters: changed Module Requirement from Mining Barracks back to Mining Center, changed Description
removed Extraction Center
re-added Extraction Complex: Tech Requirement Manufacturing Centers, Module Requirement Resource Excavation, 5% Mining
Resource Sectors: changed Module Requirement from Extraction Center back to Extraction Complex
removed Slave Mining Center
Slave Mining Complex: changed Module Requirement from Slave Mining Center to Mining Center, changed Mining from 5% to 8%
Adv. Slave Mining Complex: changed Mining from 5% to 10%
Interstellar Mining Refinery: changed Tech Requirement from Advanced Robotics back to Interstellar Refining, changed Module Requirement from None back to Mining Center
Mfg. Mining Matrix: renamed back to Mfg. Mining Matrix L1, changed Tech Requirement from Hyperion Starbases back to Industrial Adaptation I, changed Module Requirement from None back to Mining Center, changed Mining from 35% back to 7%
re-added Mfg. Mining Matrix L2: Tech Requirement Industrial Adaptation II, Module Requirement Mfg. Mining Matrix L1, 7% Mining
re-added Mfg. Mining Matrix L3: Tech Requirement Industrial Adaptation III, Module Requirement Mfg. Mining Matrix L2, 7% Mining
Collective Mining I: changed Tech Requirement from Cybernetic History back to Manufacturing Collectives I, changed Module Requirement from None back to Mining Center, changed Mining from 5% back to 4%
Collective Mining II: changed Tech Requirement from Manufacturing Collectives I back to Manufacturing Collectives II, changed Mining from 5% back to 4%
Collective Mining III: changed Tech Requirement from Manufacturing Collectives II back to Manufacturing Collectives III, changed Mining from 5% back to 4%
re-added Collective Mining IV: Tech Requirement Manufacturing Collectives IV, Module Requirement Collective Mining III, 4% Mining
Trade Outpost: changed Trade from 50% back to 25%

TechTree.xml
removed Basic Space Construction
Capitalism: changed Requires from Basic Space Construction to Traditional Research

Racial Tech Trees
removed Basic Space Construction

Terran_TechTree.xml
removed Creative Good, Paradise Worlds, Righteous Might and Righteous Justice

I missed that earlier. Thanks.

The Korath already have a pretty big racial MP-bonus. Their tech tree is also set to increase this bonus even more, so I don't think that the Korath need yet another boost. They also didn't seem to have any problems building new ships when I was observing them.
As for the Loyalty-bonus, I get your concern. However, I don't think it will help the Korath that much. The Loyalty-ability never seemed that effective compared to the planetary culture resistance stat. Well, unless it's in the 100+ range.

I was thinking the same thing.

I've been doing a couple more changes last night. Here are the updated files and the new changelog.

GC2Types.xml
Maser: changed Size from 13 back to 14
added Maser II: Tech Requirement Beam Weapon Theory, Size 12, SizeMod 4, Cost 45, Damage 1

PlanetImprovements.xml
Recuperation Center: changed MoraleBonus from 25 back to 15
re-added Zero-G Amusement: Tech Requirement Expert Gravity Channeling, Maintenance 1, Cost 100, MoraleBonus 25
re-added Advanced Xeno Farm: changed DisplayName to Xeno Farm III, Tech Requirement Xeno Farm Construction III, Maintenance 2, Cost 120, Food 6
Robotic Farm: changed UpgradeTarget from None to AdvancedFarming
Basic Stalk: changed UpgradeTarget from None to AdvancedFarming
Counter-Espionage Center: changed Cost from 100 to 200
Planetary Defense: removed one-per-planet limitation
Space Cannon: re-added "It also has a slight effect on morale." to Description, re-added Moralebonus of 10

RaceConfig.xml
Drengin Empire: changed Diplomacy from -30% back to -25%, changed Military Production from +10% back to 0, changed Logistics from +14 to +20
Korath Clan: changed Diplomacy from -30% to -25%

TechTree.xml
Advanced Charging Stalks: changed DisplayName to Charging Stalks II, changed Category from Farming to Biology, change AIValue from 10 to 7
Xeno Farm Construction II: changed Category from Farming to Biology
re-added Xeno Farm Construction III: Cost 4000, Requires Xeno Farm Construction II, grants +10% Morale, unlocks Xeno Farm III improvement
Spore Weapons: changed Category from Pure Research to Biology, changed Cost from 600 back to 1500

Racial Tech Trees
added Xeno Farm Construction III where needed

Drengin/Korath_TechTree.xml
Xeno Farm Construction: changed PopulationGrowthAbility from 15 back to 10
Xeno Farm Construction II: changed PopulationGrowthAbility from 15 back to 10, removed MoraleAbility

UPIssues.xml
UPTerrorStars: changed Question from "Terror Stars are devastating weapons in the wrong hands. It has been proposed that the use of these weapons be strictly forbidden." to "Terror Stars promote mass murder on an intergalactic scale. As long as these destructive machines are present in the galaxy, universal peace will never be realized. For this reason, we'll be voting on a permanent ban on these vessels.", changed SubQuestion from "Should Terror Stars be banned?" to "Should Terror Stars be permanently banned?"
added UPTerrorStars2: same as UPTerrorStars, but lasts only 3 years

The Recuperation Center needs an adjusted icon, because it uses the same one as the Zero-G Amusement.

The Warfare Tax UP proposal is meant to deter races from going to war. Anyone currently at war will be fined for 10-20bc. Does that really feel like a good deterrent? Maybe, for someone with a weak economy. However, anyone with at least a somewhat healthy economy shouldn't have any problem paying 20bc more per turn. Shouldn't we increase the values at least a little bit? 

What do you mean? Their racial bonus is 30% (originally 10%). Germ Warfare currently adds 10%. That's 30% more than they originally had, which is equalled out by the fact, that their tech tree is missing the Planetary Defense techs. The rest of their Invasion tree is identical to the Drengin one. I hardly call that centered around Soldiering.

Still, how about this:

1. Reduce the racial bonus to 20% (making it equal with that of the Drengin). The Korath were the shock troops of the Drengin. However, I don't recall if it was ever mentioned, if they are better soldiers.

2. Give the Korath the Isolationists party. The Korath are xenophobes, so I can see this party work for them too. The Yor would then get Industrialists again, and the Arceans the War Party.

The question is still: which proposals need to be buffed, and how much? I also don't recall the AI ever leaving the UP, so we should keep that in mind.

Looks good.

Well, for one the SporeWeapons-boost & the 100% soldiering-boost for their TechVic (I can't see how that stat will help them win the map technologically if TechVic is disabled).

But your solution for the Politcal Party looks good.

<UPIssue InternalName="UPHeadquarters01"><UPIssue InternalName="Welfare02"> couldbe increased. it's just one planet.

<UPIssue InternalName="Welfare01"> double. this will ensure that the no.1 doesn't run away. if it hits an AI the game doesn't have to become more easy as another AI might take his spot. the money isn't away but distributed, and at that, mostly between the AIs, anyway.

***

<UPIssue InternalName="ChangeGovernment01">
<Question>To govern responsibly, civilization leaders should listen to the opinions of the people. One of the most empowering forms of government available is the Star Democracy, where each planet rules itself, with only loose ties joining it to the empire. Morale is difficult to keep up, but production and the economy will increase exponentially. For the good of our people, should governments be required to operate under the rules of the Star Democracy for 3 years?</Question>

is incorrect. I think this was correct in GC1.

***

<UPIssue InternalName="ConstructorSpeed01"><UPIssue InternalName="ConstructorSpeed02">

<Question>As a unit whose only purpose is to haul massive amounts of cargo, the Constructor tends to become a sitting duck during times of war. We're here to decide whether or not to enforce a strict policy on the minimum drive speed of these units. If passed, the law would stay in effect for 3 years.</Question>
<SubQuestion>What do you feel is an appropriate base speed for Constructor ships?</SubQuestion>
<Option01>2 parsecs/week</Option01>
<Option02>3 parsecs/week</Option02>
<Option03>5 parsecs/week</Option03>
<Option04>No Change</Option04>

the "2 parsecs" & "no change" options will always result in the same speed, as without racial speed any empty hull already has 2 speed. --> change to 3,4,5

***

<UPIssue InternalName="Olympics01"> coul dbe increased.

***

<UPIssue InternalName="PrisonPlanet01"><UPIssue InternalName="PrisonPlanet02">

<Question>As the overall population of the galaxy grows, the rate of crime expands with it. Local holding facilities are reaching overflow, which is why the idea of a Galactic Prison is being voted on today. Criminals from all races will be sent to a single planet, where security can be focused and criminals will be used as workers to fuel commerce. This would double local production for the 3 years the law would be in effect.</Question>
<SubQuestion>Which do you feel is best suited to house this prison?</SubQuestion>

is this correct? IIRC the prod bonus was less...

***

<UPIssue InternalName="SBAssistAllies01">

I think this vote should be made longer. One problem is that you cannot ally before 2y2months have passed, and I've had this vote occasionaly on the 1st UP, so it looses more than 14 months where it cannot work at all.

***

<UPIssue InternalName="TradeFed01"><UPIssue InternalName="TradeFed02"> could be increased. trade income is not a big deal anyway.

***

<UPIssue InternalName="UPHeadquarters02"> could be increased. just one planet.

***

<UPIssue InternalName="WarFareTax01"> could be increased. Maybe reduce time, as it's 5 years and there's a permanent vote as well

Hi,

I'm just a user of the CU, so maybe you will consider this comment out of place, but I want to tell you anyway.

I have noticed that you are discussing about some game-play changes; are you talking about the CU or about a future mod? If it's about the CU, I want to warn you against making any change that go below the surface.

I don't know much about GC2, but I know a bit about software, and making last minute changes to a software that is already available to the public without the possibility to test it for some time is usually not a good idea, unless your plan is to keep the CU in beta for a while, of course, and you already agreed this with the developers.

Ahum... guys... This is an update to fix some last minute issues and typos, not a major content patch.

Changing AIValues and categories, adding new political parties or changing existing ones is completely out of scope and very risky.

After post 1521 (https://forums.galciv2.com/457944/get;3611813) things stop being about fixing and start altering the CU's core game play and data.

Please rollback the CU to this point.

Now, I'm not saying these changes are bad! I'm saying the CU is a finished product. It's done and it's documented.

@Maiden. Love the art for the mounts.

@Gaunathor. I love your enthusiasm but please keep yourself in check mate. The Planetary Trade change was heavily discussed at the time and wasn't made lightly and that goes for many other changes made while you were gone. 

Regards,

Anthony

I consider more the broader spectrum. Even a low-planetcount empire may make 1000bcs taxes per turn, 100 bcs tourism income & 50 bcs trade. (on that it should be noted that, if Korx are not present in game, many AIs get trade very sloppily, some don't trade at all...)

So that UP vote means -5 bcs, which decreases the total balance from 1150 to 1145. How would that be relevant at all?

I hope that doesn't completely invalidate my screen work

By Gaunathor's request, here's a new Rally Point screen, now with 400% more bugginess, courtesy of a larger map. I've no idea what causes the displacement when trying to zoom in, nor why it only happens in some sessions, but not others. It happened with the original screen, too. Still, the map is considerably more useful now. I've narrowed the text column, and it needs a change to screens.str: "Choose a Type of Rally Point" to "Type of Rally Point". Also, I'd propose changing two button labels in the file from Disband to Remove (under TABLEALIAS MainWnd and RallyPointWnd), as they both pertain to Rally Points and I can't really see how the former is applicable. Still, these aren't essential to the functioning of the screen.

Maiden, I was a bit confused about the screen changes you requested, at first. For the invasion screen, I assume you meant the Invasion Options screen, and the tactics image next to the list. Which is a valid issue, thanks for pointing it out. Changing the screen should be possible, but I don't think it will be very aesthetically pleasing. Rather, I propose we make a new set of TacticImages. I gather that DL and maybe DA used a different screen and would still need the old long ones, but we should be able to put new ones in Twilight\Gfx for it's own use, right? I did a few of them myself, hope they'll do. (InfoWarfare I left longer, because the dish should be more hyperbolic, rather than semi-circular). I'm not sure how to fix the others - the meteor one is especially tricky, since those circles make stretching obvious. The other two might work as is, your call. As for the Elections screen, I'm still not sure what you were asking, or if it's even relevant any more.

I fixed that misaligned Cancel button in the Mods Directory screen.

I revised the Title screen, to have that fabled infinite black background. Maiden, your new background is superb, but it still doesn't have a smooth transition to full black on the right border. Of course, if it's the consensus, we could just ignore it and to hell with the one guy who wants to play in ultra-ultra-wide

Lastly, I re-calibrated the video display in the trading screen. This is the Planet-Trading version! I'll get to work on the other version ASAP, but for now use the PT ones to tell me which one seems better. This one uses parameters closer to the original design, with the screen higher and slightly narrower, should be better for 1280x1024. Also, the overlay was slightly realigned to look better.

Also, I came upon a bug in the way screens in general are handled. It pertains to the order of arithmetical operations and the precision of intermediate results. Basically, (ScreenHeight /768) * 1792 can produce vastly different results from (ScreenHeight*1792)/768. Now, the Title screen is safe, I made sure, and used it to diagnose the problem. However, there are a lot of instances where stuff is divided, then multiplied in other files, which can yield differences of over 30 pixels, possibly more. I'll go over the other screens I made, and the specific things I tweaked.

In light of this, please find the time to test these and all the other screens. Picking a weird resolution, e.g. 1901x1001 might also help in identifying buggy elements.

Well it's probably a good idea that instead of letting all those changes to go to waste to put them into a mod would be a nice idea.