Just bought the game YEAH!

just got the game, installed it, and updating it now. Is there anything I should do besides to learn the game?

Download the Galactopedia -- there is a pinned post for it.

There is a pinned post on modding too.

As far as I know there are no more updates planned for GC2 as is.

no disk required to play GC2

Just update it and play. Lots of options in the setup menus so you'll want to go through those.

I haven't read anything indicating regular updates will discontinue or become less frequent. The expansion pack is coming, but that's an add-on, not an update. Don't know if we'll see a regular update beforehand or not.

The game is very flexible and lots of its mechanics are specified in xml files which can be modified with a standard text editor. Also, many of the graphics are contained in standard png files so those can be modified easily as well. The game has a structure built-in that allows the use of custom files. Just about everything can be modified and/or added-on, but some things are hard-coded so it's not 100%.

No CD is required to run the game. The only license requirement is that updates need to be "activated" which can be done easily enough online. You only need to do it once by setting up an account through the website. After that, it's transparent. You can either use Stardock Central or download the updates from the dowloads section of the web site.

It's a complicated game as far as computer games go. Give yourself plenty of time to learn it. Start out on a small map with a low difficulty level and just a couple races. I've been playing for several months and I'm just now reaching the game's limits, pretty amazing.

Haven't found a need to use the Galactopedia myself. The game seems to provide all the information I need. However, I haven't tried it so I can't say for sure. In any case, you might want to play a game or two without it and try it later. It might be confusing at first.

Have fun!!!

Congrats, HsojVvad, glad to see you picked up the game.  

Kblore and CraigHB have already answered most of your questions, but I just wanted to address your question about updates. Version 1.31 is the most recent update for GalCiv 2, and Brad (Frogboy) has said that will be the final update before Dark Avatar is released.

Of course, if a major bug is found between now and the release of the expansion (unlikely at this point, but not impossible), then Stardock would still probably patch it as soon as they were able. They're very good at responding to our feedback and trying to fix problems as soon as they arise.

If you want to know how to mod, check out CariElf's guide.It explains practically everything that is moddable in the game and is really useful.

I haven't read anything indicating regular updates will discontinue or become less frequent. The expansion pack is coming, but that's an add-on, not an update.

Well I remember having read that it will be impossible to have GC2 and DA in separate directories to choose between playing GC2 or DA. So it will work more like an update than an add-on. So I don't think there will be new updates fore GC2.

Well I remember having read that it will be impossible to have GC2 and DA in separate directories to choose between playing GC2 or DA. So it will work more like an update than an add-on. So I don't think there will be new updates fore GC2.

That was Stardock's initial plan. However they have relented and have recently stated that we will be able to have access to both GC2 1.31 and DA without deleting the other.
So DA will be more like a sequel by my standards -- gameplay is significantly changing due to diffrent planet types.

thanks guys for the comments greatly appreciated.