Difference between revisions of "Sid Meier's Alpha Centauri"
m (→See Also) |
m (Robot: Cosmetic changes) |
||
| Line 18: | Line 18: | ||
The game is a sequel to [[Civilization II]]. | The game is a sequel to [[Civilization II]]. | ||
| − | ==Version Differences== | + | == Version Differences == |
| − | ===Best Version=== | + | === Best Version === |
Alpha Centauri was released on GOG in 2011. Unfortunately only the base game and not the expansion, Alien Crossfire (which added a number of improvements to the game), is available via GOG. | Alpha Centauri was released on GOG in 2011. Unfortunately only the base game and not the expansion, Alien Crossfire (which added a number of improvements to the game), is available via GOG. | ||
A retail bundle of the game and it's expansion was released by Sold-Out Software and can still be found online quite easily. | A retail bundle of the game and it's expansion was released by Sold-Out Software and can still be found online quite easily. | ||
Before the GOG-release the recommended way to play the game was to install it with it's expansion pack, Alien Crossfire, on top because the unofficial patch was only compatible with this version. Since then, however, an alternative patch that works with the standard GOG-edition has been released. | Before the GOG-release the recommended way to play the game was to install it with it's expansion pack, Alien Crossfire, on top because the unofficial patch was only compatible with this version. Since then, however, an alternative patch that works with the standard GOG-edition has been released. | ||
| − | ==Patches== | + | == Patches == |
*[http://www.firaxis.com/downloads/Patch/Smacp4e.exe Smacp4e.exe] | *[http://www.firaxis.com/downloads/Patch/Smacp4e.exe Smacp4e.exe] | ||
Alpha Centauri 4.0 update. For users without the expansion. | Alpha Centauri 4.0 update. For users without the expansion. | ||
| Line 31: | Line 31: | ||
*[http://www.gamefront.com/files/904709/smacxp103fus.zip smacxp103fus.zip] | *[http://www.gamefront.com/files/904709/smacxp103fus.zip smacxp103fus.zip] | ||
Official XP compatibility-patch. | Official XP compatibility-patch. | ||
| − | ===Unofficial patches=== | + | === Unofficial patches === |
*[http://apolyton.net/showthread.php/181950-Fixing-SMACX-Bugs Unofficial patch by scient] | *[http://apolyton.net/showthread.php/181950-Fixing-SMACX-Bugs Unofficial patch by scient] | ||
Original fan made patch. Fixes bugs and exploits. Not compatible with Alien crossfire. | Original fan made patch. Fixes bugs and exploits. Not compatible with Alien crossfire. | ||
| Line 39: | Line 39: | ||
Based on scients patch and adds AI fixes. Not compatible with Alien Crossfire but works with the GOG-version. | Based on scients patch and adds AI fixes. Not compatible with Alien Crossfire but works with the GOG-version. | ||
| − | ===Proper patching=== | + | === Proper patching === |
Note: this is for the retail version of the game only. The GOG-version is already updated. | Note: this is for the retail version of the game only. The GOG-version is already updated. | ||
*If you have the original release without the expansion pack install the [http://www.firaxis.com/downloads/Patch/Smacp4e.exe Alpha Centauri v4.0 update] and then the [http://www.gamefront.com/files/904709/smacxp103fus.zip compatibility-patch]. | *If you have the original release without the expansion pack install the [http://www.firaxis.com/downloads/Patch/Smacp4e.exe Alpha Centauri v4.0 update] and then the [http://www.gamefront.com/files/904709/smacxp103fus.zip compatibility-patch]. | ||
| Line 46: | Line 46: | ||
Now you can install the unofficial patch of your choice. | Now you can install the unofficial patch of your choice. | ||
| − | ==Issues and Fixes== | + | == Issues and Fixes == |
| − | ===The game hangs:=== | + | === The game hangs: === |
This might be related to a bug with automated artillery units. Try turning off automation and see if it helps. More info [http://www.gog.com/en/forum/sid_meier_s_alpha_centauri_/anyone_else_experiencing_game_hangs_and_not_respond here]. | This might be related to a bug with automated artillery units. Try turning off automation and see if it helps. More info [http://www.gog.com/en/forum/sid_meier_s_alpha_centauri_/anyone_else_experiencing_game_hangs_and_not_respond here]. | ||
| − | ==Graphical Tweaks== | + | == Graphical Tweaks == |
| − | ===Higher resolutions/Widescreen=== | + | === Higher resolutions/Widescreen === |
In the game folder | In the game folder | ||
| Line 58: | Line 58: | ||
locate '''Alpha Centauri.Ini'''. Add <pre>DirectDraw=0</pre> under '''[Alpha Centauri]'''. The game will now run at your desktop-resolution. | locate '''Alpha Centauri.Ini'''. Add <pre>DirectDraw=0</pre> under '''[Alpha Centauri]'''. The game will now run at your desktop-resolution. | ||
| − | ===Run Without CD/DVD=== | + | === Run Without CD/DVD === |
The game will run without the CD but only if you have performed a full install. | The game will run without the CD but only if you have performed a full install. | ||
| − | ==Save Game Data== | + | == Save Game Data == |
| − | ===Folder Location=== | + | === Folder Location === |
<pre>C:\Program Files (x86)\Electronic Arts\Firaxis Games \Sid Meier's Alpha Centauri\saves</pre> | <pre>C:\Program Files (x86)\Electronic Arts\Firaxis Games \Sid Meier's Alpha Centauri\saves</pre> | ||
| − | ==System Requirements== | + | == System Requirements == |
{{SysReq | {{SysReq | ||
|minOS = Windows 95/Windows 98 | |minOS = Windows 95/Windows 98 | ||
| Line 76: | Line 76: | ||
}} | }} | ||
| − | ==Useful Links== | + | == Useful Links == |
| − | *[http://www.firaxis.com/games/game_detail.php?gameid=7 Official website] | + | * [http://www.firaxis.com/games/game_detail.php?gameid=7 Official website] |
| − | *[http://www.gog.com/en/forum/sid_meier_s_alpha_centauri_/#1329850465 GOG support forum] | + | * [http://www.gog.com/en/forum/sid_meier_s_alpha_centauri_/#1329850465 GOG support forum] |
| − | *[http://www.civgaming.net/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=15 Civilization gaming network] | + | * [http://www.civgaming.net/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=15 Civilization gaming network] |
| − | ==See Also== | + | == See Also == |
| − | *[[Civilization II]] | + | * [[Civilization II]] |
| − | *[[Civilization IV]] | + | * [[Civilization IV]] |
[[Category:Game]] | [[Category:Game]] | ||
[[Category:Windows]] | [[Category:Windows]] | ||
Revision as of 18:24, 12 September 2012
The game can be installed and played on modern computers but there are a few crippling issues you might run into. Fortunately the community have released several unofficial patches to alleviate these problems. The game is a sequel to Civilization II.
Version Differences
Best Version
Alpha Centauri was released on GOG in 2011. Unfortunately only the base game and not the expansion, Alien Crossfire (which added a number of improvements to the game), is available via GOG. A retail bundle of the game and it's expansion was released by Sold-Out Software and can still be found online quite easily. Before the GOG-release the recommended way to play the game was to install it with it's expansion pack, Alien Crossfire, on top because the unofficial patch was only compatible with this version. Since then, however, an alternative patch that works with the standard GOG-edition has been released.
Patches
Alpha Centauri 4.0 update. For users without the expansion.
Alien Crossfire 2.0 update.
Official XP compatibility-patch.
Unofficial patches
Original fan made patch. Fixes bugs and exploits. Not compatible with Alien crossfire.
Based on the previous version but with additional fixes and compatible with Alien Crossfire.
Based on scients patch and adds AI fixes. Not compatible with Alien Crossfire but works with the GOG-version.
Proper patching
Note: this is for the retail version of the game only. The GOG-version is already updated.
- If you have the original release without the expansion pack install the Alpha Centauri v4.0 update and then the compatibility-patch.
- If you have the Planetary pack or Laptop pack only install the compatibility-patch.
- If you have the original Alien Crossfire release install the Alien Crossfire v2.0 update then the compatibility-patch.
Now you can install the unofficial patch of your choice.
Issues and Fixes
The game hangs:
This might be related to a bug with automated artillery units. Try turning off automation and see if it helps. More info here.
Graphical Tweaks
Higher resolutions/Widescreen
In the game folder
C:\Program Files (x86)\Electronic Arts\Firaxis Games \Sid Meier's Alpha Centauri\
locate Alpha Centauri.Ini. Add
DirectDraw=0
under [Alpha Centauri]. The game will now run at your desktop-resolution.
Run Without CD/DVD
The game will run without the CD but only if you have performed a full install.
Save Game Data
Folder Location
C:\Program Files (x86)\Electronic Arts\Firaxis Games \Sid Meier's Alpha Centauri\saves