Problems with Gigantic Universe

from Stardock Forums
When I try to play on a gigantic universe it takes ages to "tick", instead of a few seconds minutes. Sometimes I can go downstairs make a cuppa and come back up and it still hasn't ticked. It means that I can only play up to a Huge and i would like to play a larger universe (i find huge too small).

I more than meet the system requirements to run GalCiv and am unsure why this fault occurs.

In addition, after running GalCiv for a few hours, it has a tendancy to quit out of the game. *confused* I have tried re-installing it but it still does it.

Any suggestions?
385 views 10 replies
Reply #1 from Stardock Forums Top
Gigantic maps require a more high spec machine, as there are hundreds of planets to calculate actions for the other 4 races (6 for Alteran Phropacy). What spec is your machine?
~SDC~
[Message Edited]
Reply #2 from Stardock Forums Top
I'm attempting to play a medium map. I just built my computer...
P4,3.0GHz,w/HT
1GB Corsair RAM
2 36GB Western Digital Raptors in a RAID 0
ATI 9600 Pro All-in-Wonder

I'm using on-board audio and I just updated the drivers. I looked at the debug.err, however it is too much to post on this forum. If needed, I can email it.
Galactic Civilizations III
Reply #3 from Stardock Forums Top
Sorry, I thought this was the post I had submitted requesting help. Please disregard my previous post.
Reply #4 from Stardock Forums Top
Gigantic maps require a more high spec machine, as there are hundreds of planets to calculate actions for the other 4 races (6 for Alteran Phropacy). What spec is your machine?
End of quote


Dunno what it takes, but my Laptop:
P4 2.8GHz
1 GB 333 RAM
1.5 GB virtual mem
ATI 9000Pro mobile,
has problems with Gigantic too
Reply #6 from Stardock Forums Top
I played gigantic/uncommon on my K6III+ @450MHz with 128 MB. Mid game turns took about 1 minute. That was not much fun but it was fine with me since I did not met the system requirements.

But me and the aliens did not have too much ships. I read in this forum that it does not scale very well with the number of ships. Maybe it helps to form fleets, but I guess it is the enemy ships which hurt.

This was on 1.15 and according to Brad the graphics engine was improved in 1.2 and CariElf did some code clean up in the meantime as well. But when there is only one part of the code which scales worse than n*log(n) you lost!

You could try the following: Save and reload your game. Measure the time for "Turn". Reload again and buy as many ships (pick the cheap one and make deals for >= 50 Months) from the aliens as possible and discard all of your ships afterwards. How long does it take now?

I guess I will stick to hughe until I got a new machine (in 2-3 years ;) )
[Message Edited]
Reply #7 from Stardock Forums Top
How often do you have it set to autosave? That is usually what takes a long time. I recommend that you set it to autosave every twelve turns (the default, I believe).
Reply #8 from Stardock Forums Top
I think I need a new computer,

mine is a

1.2Ghz Celeron
512Meg of Memory
Video / Sound card what ever the
Laptop has I do not know.

Late in a Gigantic game it may take 3-5 seconds per turn.
Reply #9 from Stardock Forums Top
its set up for every 12 turns. but the lag seems to occur every turn, not just every now and again :/

Anyway, I'm waiting for my copy of XP to come through so I can re-install (I've got OEM and they say it will take 2wks to re-install and I can't be w/o my PC that long as I need to use it on a daily basis for uni *sigh* damn OEM *rant*)

Will give gigantic another go, if all else fails hopefully the format may do the job.

Thanks for your help guys.

~SDC~
Reply #10 from Stardock Forums Top
My computer is very similar to yours.
P4 2.6 Ghz
Radeon Mobile 9000
512 RAM
I have no trouble with Gigantic. Maybe you need to take the habitiablity down, to like Uncommon or Rare.