Sid Meier's Alpha Centauri
Sid Meier's Alpha Centauri is a real time strategy game developed by Firaxis and released in 1999. 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 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
Saves are located in
\Firaxis Games\Sid Meier's Alpha Centauri\saves