Difference between revisions of "Sid Meier's Alpha Centauri"
(Updated information regarding SMACX Thinker Mod.) |
|||
(2 intermediate revisions by 2 users not shown) | |||
Line 65: | Line 65: | ||
{{Availability/row| Retail | | DRM-free | The game will run without the CD if you have performed a full install. {{DRM|SecuROM}} otherwise. | | Windows, Mac OS, Linux }} | {{Availability/row| Retail | | DRM-free | The game will run without the CD if you have performed a full install. {{DRM|SecuROM}} otherwise. | | Windows, Mac OS, Linux }} | ||
{{Availability/row| GOG.com | sid_meiers_alpha_centauri | DRM-free | Planetary Pack. | | Windows, OS X }} | {{Availability/row| GOG.com | sid_meiers_alpha_centauri | DRM-free | Planetary Pack. | | Windows, OS X }} | ||
− | {{Availability/row| Microsoft Store | | + | {{Availability/row| Microsoft Store | 9NDLJ3HM721L | Microsoft Store, Origin |Included exclusively with {{Store feature|Xbox Game Pass}} as part of its version of EA Play. | | Windows }} |
{{Availability/row| Origin | sid-meiers/sid-meiers-alpha-centauri | Origin | Planetary Pack. Included in {{Store feature|EA Play}}.<br>[https://www.ea.com/games/sid-meiers/sid-meiers-alpha-centauri Manual link for EA App purchase]. | | Windows }} | {{Availability/row| Origin | sid-meiers/sid-meiers-alpha-centauri | Origin | Planetary Pack. Included in {{Store feature|EA Play}}.<br>[https://www.ea.com/games/sid-meiers/sid-meiers-alpha-centauri Manual link for EA App purchase]. | | Windows }} | ||
{{Availability/row| Steam | 2204130 | Steam | Planetary Pack. Included in {{Store feature|EA Play}}. | | Windows }} | {{Availability/row| Steam | 2204130 | Steam | Planetary Pack. Included in {{Store feature|EA Play}}. | | Windows }} | ||
Line 434: | Line 434: | ||
===[https://github.com/induktio/thinker SMACX Thinker Mod]=== | ===[https://github.com/induktio/thinker SMACX Thinker Mod]=== | ||
− | {{ii}} An AI improvement mod for Alien Crossfire. | + | {{ii}} An actively developed AI improvement mod for Alien Crossfire. |
{{ii}} The developer of the mod recommends the use of PRACX and smac-in-smax with this mod. | {{ii}} The developer of the mod recommends the use of PRACX and smac-in-smax with this mod. | ||
{{++}} Increases challenges in singleplayer due with AI improvements and many gameplay enhancements. | {{++}} Increases challenges in singleplayer due with AI improvements and many gameplay enhancements. | ||
− | {{++}} Includes the Scient patch v2.0. | + | {{++}} Includes the Scient patch v2.0, as well as other fixes exclusive to this mod. |
− | + | {{--}} Network multiplayer is supported.<ref>{{Refurl|url=https://github.com/induktio/thinker/blob/master/Details.md|title=Thinker Details.md|date=April 2024}}</ref> though less stable than singleplayer. | |
− | {{--}} Network multiplayer is | ||
{{--}} Some custom scenario rules in "Edit Scenario Rules" menus are not fully supported. | {{--}} Some custom scenario rules in "Edit Scenario Rules" menus are not fully supported. | ||
− | ===[https:// | + | ===[https://forums.civfanatics.com/resources/smacx-ai-growth-mod.31053/ SMACX AI Growth mod]=== |
{{ii}} Overhauls many game mechanics. | {{ii}} Overhauls many game mechanics. | ||
+ | {{ii}} Last archived forum thread can be found [https://web.archive.org/web/20230912062741/https://alphacentauri2.info/index.php?topic=20959.0 here.] | ||
{{++}} Includes AI improvements, rebalanced factions, additional map sizes (80x160 and 128x256), and other tweaks. | {{++}} Includes AI improvements, rebalanced factions, additional map sizes (80x160 and 128x256), and other tweaks. | ||
{{++}} Compatible with the Scient unofficial binary patch v2.0 and higher, and expected to work with the PRACX unofficial binary patch. | {{++}} Compatible with the Scient unofficial binary patch v2.0 and higher, and expected to work with the PRACX unofficial binary patch. |
Revision as of 19:39, 6 May 2024
Developers | |
---|---|
Firaxis Games | |
Mac OS (Classic) | Aspyr Media |
Linux | Loki Software |
Publishers | |
Electronic Arts | |
Re-release | Sold Out Software |
Mac OS | Aspyr Media |
Linux | Loki Software |
Release dates | |
Windows | February 9, 1999 |
Mac OS (Classic) | February 2000 |
Linux | August 2000 |
macOS (OS X) | September 25, 2003[Note 1] |
macOS (OS X) | January 24, 2013[Note 2] |
Reception | |
Metacritic | 92 |
Taxonomy | |
Monetization | One-time game purchase, Expansion pack |
Modes | Singleplayer, Multiplayer |
Pacing | Turn-based |
Perspectives | Bird's-eye view, Isometric |
Controls | Point and select |
Genres | 4X, TBS |
Themes | Sci-fi |
Warnings
- The macOS (OS X) version of this game does not work on macOS Catalina (version 10.15) or later due to the removal of support for 32-bit-only apps.
Sid Meier's Alpha Centauri is a singleplayer and multiplayer bird's-eye view and isometric 4X and TBS game.
The game received the Alien Crossfire expansion in October 1999, and the two were bundled in the Planetary Pack compilation in April 2000.
On modern systems, the game suffers from compatibility issues, which can be alleviated by using PRACX for stable rendering and widescreen/windowed mode support. The unofficial patches also bring numerous fixes for gameplay itself.
General information
- Throughout the article, the common abbreviations are used to differentiate the base game from the expansion: SMAC denotes Alpha Centauri, SMAX denotes Alien Crossfire.
- alphacentauri2.info - Active Alpha Centauri modding, patching and multiplayer community.
- Civilization Wiki - A detailed wiki for all Civilization games and their spin offs
- Apolyton Civilization Site's Alpha Centauri section - A huge forum dedicated to all Civilization games and their spin offs.
- GOG.com Community Discussions
- GOG.com Support Page
- Steam Community Discussions
Availability
Source | DRM | Notes | Keys | OS |
---|---|---|---|---|
Retail | The game will run without the CD if you have performed a full install. SecuROM DRM otherwise. | |||
GOG.com | Planetary Pack. | |||
Microsoft Store | Included exclusively with Xbox Game Pass for PC as part of its version of EA Play. | |||
Origin | Planetary Pack. Included in EA Play. Manual link for EA App purchase. |
|||
Steam | Planetary Pack. Included in EA Play (Steam). |
Version differences
- Sid Meier's Alpha Centauri Planetary Pack includes the base game and the Alien Crossfire expansion.
Monetization
Type | Notes |
---|---|
Expansion pack | The expansion pack includes 7 new factions, 2 of which are alien which bring their own gameplay differences, as well as new units, structures, technologies and a faction editor. |
One-time game purchase | The game requires an upfront purchase to access. |
DLC and expansion packs
Name | Notes | |
---|---|---|
Sid Meier's Alien Crossfire |
Essential improvements
Patches
- For the original Alpha Centauri release, install the Alpha Centauri v4.0 update and then the XP Compatibility patch.
- For the original Alien Crossfire release, install the Alien Crossfire v2.0 update (English, French, German) and then the XP Compatibility patch.
- For the Planetary Pack or EA's Laptop Pack, just install the XP Compatibility patch.
- For the Japanese version, install the Japanese 1.01 patch.
Unofficial patches
- The unmodified game is filled with exploits and prone to crashing. The patches below will fix the vast majority of crashes and bugs.
- Yitzi's patch (SMAX only) - built on kyrub's SMAX patch and scient's patch (see below), and contains even more fixes as it was developed for a longer time. The correct download order is v3.5 and then v3.5d.
- kyrub's patch (SMAC, SMAX version not recommended) - aimed primarily at improving AI performance but also fixing some bugs. The SMAX version has only minor AI improvements and is superseded by Yitzi's patch.
- scient's patch (SMAC and SMAX) - fixes bugs, crashes and exploits and includes text file improvements.
Recommendation
Install Yitzi's patch for SMAX and either kyrub's or scient's for SMAC.
Notes
- Yitzi's patch breaks backwards compatibility for
alphax.txt
. Old scenarios that require a custom version of that file require manual changes. This will not be a concern for most users. Some newer scenarios make use of Yitzi's patch, however. - The patches' AI improvements do not make the AI too hard for new players, and instead aim for a reasonable level of challenge at "Librarian" difficulty. Tweaks mostly involve teaching the AI how to perform sufficiently well without cheating.
PRACX
PRACX is an open-source modified graphics renderer for Alpha Centauri with a number of stability improvements and features. For Alien Crossfire, it is intended to be used with Yitzi's patch.
Game data
Configuration file(s) location
System | Location |
---|---|
Windows | <path-to-game>\Alpha Centauri.ini[Note 3] |
macOS (OS X) | |
Mac OS (Classic) | |
Linux | |
Steam Play (Linux) | <SteamLibrary-folder>/steamapps/compatdata/2204130/pfx/[Note 4] |
- It's unknown whether this game follows the XDG Base Directory Specification on Linux. Please fill in this information.
Save game data location
System | Location |
---|---|
Windows | <path-to-game>\saves[Note 3] |
macOS (OS X) | $HOME/Library/Application Support/GOG.com/Sid Meier's Alpha Centauri/saves |
Mac OS (Classic) | |
Linux | |
Steam Play (Linux) | <SteamLibrary-folder>/steamapps/compatdata/2204130/pfx/[Note 4] |
Save game cloud syncing
System | Native | Notes |
---|---|---|
GOG Galaxy | ||
Origin | ||
Steam Cloud | ||
Xbox Cloud |
Video
Graphics feature | State | WSGF | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
Widescreen resolution | See Widescreen resolution. | ||
Multi-monitor | |||
Ultra-widescreen | See Widescreen resolution. | ||
4K Ultra HD | See Widescreen resolution. | ||
Field of view (FOV) | |||
Windowed | See PRACX. | ||
Borderless fullscreen windowed | See the glossary page for potential workarounds. | ||
Anisotropic filtering (AF) | See the glossary page for potential workarounds. | ||
Anti-aliasing (AA) | See the glossary page for potential workarounds. | ||
Vertical sync (Vsync) | See the glossary page for potential workarounds. | ||
60 FPS and 120+ FPS | |||
High dynamic range display (HDR) | |||
Color blind mode | An official separate color palette adapted for color-blind players was released. Mirror available here. Included in the GOG.com release. |
Widescreen resolution
Use PRACX |
---|
Edit configuration file[citation needed] |
---|
|
Input
Keyboard and mouse | State | Notes |
---|---|---|
Remapping | See the glossary page for potential workarounds. | |
Mouse acceleration | ||
Mouse sensitivity | ||
Mouse input in menus | ||
Mouse Y-axis inversion | ||
Controller | ||
Controller support |
Audio
Audio feature | State | Notes |
---|---|---|
Separate volume controls | ||
Surround sound | ||
Subtitles | All voiced dialogue except advisor clips is subtitled in the interface. | |
Closed captions | ||
Mute on focus lost | ||
EAX support | EAX support was added with 2.0 update[2] | |
Royalty free audio |
Localizations
Language | UI | Audio | Sub | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
English | ||||
French | Retail only. | |||
German | Retail only. German text/audio/video files have to be copied over from the retail version. Due to game values and display texts being in the same file, many unofficial patches will overwrite German retail files. | |||
Italian | Retail only. | |||
Japanese | Retail only. | |||
Spanish | Retail only, download |
Network
Multiplayer types
Type | Native | Players | Notes | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Local play | Hot seat Requires the v2.0 update or later.[3] |
|||
LAN play | 7 | |||
Online play | ||||
Asynchronous multiplayer | Playing by email (PBEM) supported. |
Connection types
Type | Native | Notes |
---|---|---|
Matchmaking | ||
Peer-to-peer | ||
Dedicated | ||
Self-hosting | ||
Direct IP |
Issues fixed
The game hangs
Install the latest versions of Yitzi or kyrub's patches. |
---|
AMD/ATI compatibility
The GOG.com store page recommends using Catalyst 13.4 or earlier, but the game also works with 14.x.[citation needed]
Alt-Tab not functioning
- Applies to the GOG.com distribution only.
Disable compatibility shim[4] |
---|
Notes
|
Other information
API
Technical specs | Supported | Notes |
---|---|---|
DirectDraw | 6 |
Executable | PPC | 16-bit | 32-bit | 64-bit | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Windows | |||||
macOS (OS X) | Intel support only available in the 2013 GOG release. | ||||
Linux | Alpha workstation support is also included. | ||||
Mac OS (Classic) |
Modifications
Using SMAC/X Mod Manager[citation needed] |
---|
Allows the installations of mods for the game.
To remove mods:
|
smac-in-smax
- Allows the content of the original game to be played in the SMAX engine.
- Source code for the latest version can be found here
- Allows SMAC to take advantage of the bugfixes and unofficial patches for the SMAX engines
- Allows the use of mods that are designed for the SMAX engine.
SMACX Thinker Mod
- An actively developed AI improvement mod for Alien Crossfire.
- The developer of the mod recommends the use of PRACX and smac-in-smax with this mod.
- Increases challenges in singleplayer due with AI improvements and many gameplay enhancements.
- Includes the Scient patch v2.0, as well as other fixes exclusive to this mod.
- Network multiplayer is supported.[5] though less stable than singleplayer.
- Some custom scenario rules in "Edit Scenario Rules" menus are not fully supported.
SMACX AI Growth mod
- Overhauls many game mechanics.
- Last archived forum thread can be found here.
- Includes AI improvements, rebalanced factions, additional map sizes (80x160 and 128x256), and other tweaks.
- Compatible with the Scient unofficial binary patch v2.0 and higher, and expected to work with the PRACX unofficial binary patch.
OpenSMACX
- Open-source engine recreation for Alpha Centauri/Alien Crossfire.
- Source code can be found here
- Project still in alpha.
System requirements
Windows | ||
---|---|---|
Minimum | Recommended | |
Operating system (OS) | 95, 98 | |
Processor (CPU) | Intel Pentium 133 MHz | Intel Pentium 200 MHz |
System memory (RAM) | 16 MB | 32 MB |
Hard disk drive (HDD) | 60 MB | |
Video card (GPU) | 2 MB of VRAM |
Mac OS | ||
---|---|---|
Minimum | ||
Operating system (OS) | 7.6 | |
Processor (CPU) | PowerPC 603 180MHz | |
System memory (RAM) | 32 MB | |
Hard disk drive (HDD) |
macOS (OS X) | ||
---|---|---|
Minimum | Recommended | |
Operating system (OS) | 10.6.8 | |
Processor (CPU) | 1.8 GHz | |
System memory (RAM) | 512 MB | 1 GB |
Hard disk drive (HDD) | 2 GB |
Notes
- ↑ Original Carbonized release.
- ↑ Second digital release for Intel processors.[1]
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 When running this game without elevated privileges (Run as administrator option), write operations against a location below
%PROGRAMFILES%
,%PROGRAMDATA%
, or%WINDIR%
might be redirected to%LOCALAPPDATA%\VirtualStore
on Windows Vista and later (more details). - ↑ 4.0 4.1 Notes regarding Steam Play (Linux) data:
- File/folder structure within this directory reflects the path(s) listed for Windows and/or Steam game data.
- Games with Steam Cloud support may also store data in
~/.steam/steam/userdata/<user-id>/2204130/
. - Use Wine's registry editor to access any Windows registry paths.
- The app ID (2204130) may differ in some cases.
- Treat backslashes as forward slashes.
- See the glossary page for details on Windows data paths.
References
- ↑ January Mac Game Update: 10 New Additions - GOG.com - last accessed on May 2023
- ↑ SID MEIER'S ALPHA CENTAURI README
- ↑ ftp://ftp.ea.com/pub/origin/patches/alpha_centauri/smacp4e.txt
- ↑ gog.com - last accessed on May 2023
- ↑ Thinker Details.md - last accessed on April 2024