Newbie patch questions

You downloaded a Bonus Pack. You should really install Stardock Central and use that to update your game...it is real easy to use.

Go to the downloads section on this site and it is the second item. Here is the addy: http://www.galciv.com/download.asp

I already installed Stardock Central but it is incredibly confusing. I don't see any 'patches' there.

You know, I bought this game because it got good reviews. But, compared to other games I've owned over the years, they seem to make it so difficult for the new player to get started.

All this strange registration process and different 'official' web sites is really killing it for me. It took me two days just to register because it would not recognize my serial number from the back of my CD.

Why do they make it so hard to download and install a simple patch? I have been gaming for years but I am just about ready to give up on this game. If you ask me, this is not a good way to build up a good fan base.

Man, I am so frustrated. I have been all around Stardock Central and don't see any place where the latest patch can be downloaded.

This game is so user-unfriendly. Just one of many roadblocks I have run into:

On the GalCiv site, I clicked on the link to download the 1.04 patch and some sort of bonus pack. Well, I kept getting errors. It took about 20 tries over two days to finally get through. Then, it told me I had to install the game first (what a joke, it was already installed) and only downloaded the so-called 'bonus pack'.

Now, I simply cannot find any link to the most recent patch. When will developers realize that frustrating new customers is not good for their business?
[Message Edited]

I may be wrong on this but give it a try.
Do not go to stardock using your internet browser.
Look in your START menu under Programs for stardock and run that program.

I uninstalled the game and re-installed it. Still no luck. Can't download the 1.04 patch from GalCiv. Has anyone been able to do this? I got it once but was told that I only downloaded the bonus pack?? (See the posts above.)

How about the Stardock site? There are supposed to be patches there but I can't find any.

This is the most frustrating game I have ever seen.

Maybe this will help...

Once you start the stardock application, in the lower right corner is "registration info". double click (or single click :notsure: ) that and select the drengin.net tab. Then pick "Galactic Civilizations" under application and enter info if it doesn't do it for you. then Register. Once you do that click the "Software" button at the top left. It may ask you to register again, just do it again. Then under the drengin.net tab you should see "Galactic Civilizations" and it will tell you what version you have installed and what version is available. Double click "Galactic Civilizations" and it should update you automatically. Just remember that everything is under "drengin.net" tabs.

Hope that long winded explanation helps to get you up and running with the latest version.

Best of luck.

--Miles Naismith
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I'm having much the same trouble, this is incredibly frustrating.

I first tried to use the stardock service. Installed it, went to the site through the program. Problem, stardock doesn't recognize the CD Key on the back of my jewel case, so it won't update the game. Have tried at least ten times. I know the CD Key is right, b/c the galciv site recognizes it.

So, I try to download the patch from the galciv site. Downloads fine, but where do I unzip it? Also, it just looks like an executable. It doesn't do anything when I double click on it. Where am I supposed to put it, and how do I tell if/when it's working?

Stardock is a bit wonky till you get used to it. Hang in there guys...give as much info about the problem as you can and someone will help. It's worth it.

Still haven't gotten anything to work properly. I decided (had to guess, b/c nothing seems to tell me) to just move the "bonuspack" executable into the galactic civilations folder. It wouldn't appear there, visible though. At any rate, next time I tried to start the game...didn't work, at all. Game just goes to desktop everytime.

Still can't get Stardock to work either. I know I am using the right CD Key, b/c you have to enter it to install the game and download the bonus pack. Was accepted in both of those places, but never Stardock. I'm going to have to return this game in a day or two if nothing works...no one can offer solid answer to how to get it up and working?

Well, I'll be dipped. It worked this time. Strange. Well, thanks for the tips folks, I'll come back when I need in-game help.

Aviar,

Here's what you do. Double-click on that "registration info" text on lower right corner. Registration box will come up. Switch it to "Drengin.net" tab. Fill in info and register.

Now, click on "software" text on upper left corner of stardock window. When new screen comes up, change it by selecting the "Drengin.net" tab near the top-middle portion of the screen. The downloads for Galactic Civilizations and other games will appear. They download directly through Stardock when you select the ones you want.