1.9.5.2 Beta Update available for testing

[Gerry Edwards]

Hello Everyone,

Distant Worlds 1.9.5.2 Beta Update is now available for testing. You may download it from Here.

This build has the following changes from 1.9.5.1:

CRASH FIXES
- fixed crash when drawing space monsters ("CheckFixNotInSystem")
- fixed rare crash when drawing ships
- fixed rare crash when drawing Empire Navigation Tool

BUG FIXES
- added *possible* fix for issue where view sometimes moves to top-left
- fixed issue where Steam Achievements were often being set prematurely
- fixed AI empires starting and then quickly ending Trade Sanctions - now always honor minimum time period
- fixed RepairBot components being downgraded to Damage Control by AI ship design
- fixed problems when loading and displaying research information when Windows set to some non-English languages (e.g. Turkish)
- ensured that pirate factions are generated at start of a new game when using an existing galaxy map
- slightly increased size of Tutorial screen to account for larger text

GENERAL GAME BALANCE
- adjusted default ship design templates for each race: Large Spaceports have more docking bays and construction yards, Mining Stations have more docking bays, shields and weapons
- low colony tax rates do not increase population growth rates as much as previously, but now make colony more attractive migration destination
- civilian ships now ensure they have enough reactors to power hyperdrives at full speed (same as state ships already did)
- Fighters now weighted higher when evaluating strength of potential attack targets
- AI now willing to build more military ships when at war, especially when have large cash reserves and powerful enemies
- AI now more willing to build more research stations at home colony at game start
- AI takes more care to avoid overspending on troops

EXPLORATION
- Exploration ships now scan for resources more quickly, moving on to next exploration target immediately once resources and ruins investigated
- increased amount of automated Exploration ships that are assigned to simply scout systems for colonization targets and ruins instead of performing full resource scan of system and all resources

FLEETS
- AI fleets are now better at coordinating multi-fleet attacks within own empire against single enemy target (beyond just coordinated fleet attacks with allies)
- increased ratio of AI-created large fleets versus small strike forces (i.e. more large fleets)

OTHER
- now force immediate update of stardate and cash display when open a new screen, e.g. Empire Summary screen
- possession of an operational planet destroyer negatively affects diplomatic relations with other empires ("We are envious of your huge strength and power")

[moonraker65]

Any news on the design screen problem ?

[pycco]

getting a crash before the game loads, was working with the pre beta no mods
Distant Worlds - Crash Dump - 1.9.5.2

12:02:24 PM Wednesday, June 04, 2014


System.NullReferenceException: Object reference not set to an instance of an object.
at DistantWorlds.Types.GraphicsHelper.ScaleLimitImage(Bitmap image, Int32 maxWidth, Int32 maxHeight, Single alpha)
at DistantWorlds.Types.HabitatImageCache.LoadImagesSmall()
at DistantWorlds.Types.HabitatImageCache.Initialize(String applicationStartupPath, String customizationSetName, Boolean initialLoad)
at DistantWorlds.Main.NNqVInGxHXHHXkkbjEC(Object , Object , Object , Boolean )
at DistantWorlds.Main.DMChIXwsC7()
at DistantWorlds.Main.tNuokxXTmC(Int32 , Int32 , Boolean )
at DistantWorlds.Main..ctor(Int32 width, Int32 height, Boolean windowedMode, Splash splashForm)
at DistantWorlds.Start.daQ110dh1G(Object , EventArgs )
at System.Windows.Forms.Form.OnLoad(EventArgs e)
at System.Windows.Forms.Form.SetVisibleCore(Boolean value)
at System.Windows.Forms.Control.set_Visible(Boolean value)
at System.Windows.Forms.Application.ThreadContext.RunMessageLoopInner(Int32 reason, ApplicationContext context)
at System.Windows.Forms.Application.ThreadContext.RunMessageLoop(Int32 reason, ApplicationContext context)
at System.Windows.Forms.Application.Run(Form mainForm)
at mWTvZryQhWqyWeuikG.RQoi279JvO8atqUXw4.OqlqWwc5l3DTRHgG51NN(Object )
at mWTvZryQhWqyWeuikG.RQoi279JvO8atqUXw4.p5EEoKnH3mn()


--- COMPLETE ---

[Erik Rutins]

Not seeing that here - is this with a new game or when loading an older save file?

[Cadune]

Diplomacy screen is blank where there used to be a summary. Anyone else getting this with the beta?

[pycco]

was when trying to launch game.
going to uninstall and re install see if that fixes it.
yup that fixed it.

[StarLab]

I've got both Matrix and Steam versions patched to .2 and not seeing the above problems on either install. All good here..

[mllange]

How did you get Steam to patch up to the .2 version? I opted for the beta but the game didn't appear to update.

[StarLab]

ORIGINAL: nim8or

How did you get Steam to patch up to the .2 version? I opted for the beta but the game didn't appear to update.

Yup, it started the update right after closing the properties tab. only 12MB so it's pretty quick...

[warzer]

so far with my short testing bit of 4hrs or so no crash even using my 1951 save. Since I am prone to crashes this seems improved will take a few days to make sure.

[davidofga]

Getting a crash as game loads a 1.9.5.1 save, distant worlds extended mod. Allowed me to start a new game with no problem, using same mod.

[Oberst_Klink]

Crashes on my system only occurred when I tried to mix mods in one folder; had to do with the different graphics of the planets, but... most crashes described at various forum posts simply occurred of obsolete video card drivers. Despite only having 4GB RAM and a HD6500 Radeon 2GB video card the system runs more than OK, even a huge galaxy and a test of the ancient galaxy with the whole map being covered.

So far, 1.9.5.2 Beta runs like ace. Can't wait for the Tech-Tree Mods to be up an running to spice the game up. Perhaps the devs are already working on a better AI?

Klink, Oberst

[Hannable]

ORIGINAL: davidofga

Getting a crash as game loads a 1.9.5.1 save, distant worlds extended mod. Allowed me to start a new game with no problem, using same mod.

Ditto ...

I suppose it's not really worth the time to make sure 1.9.5.1 saved games work though unless it's a super easy fix.

[hyme]

What is the steam beta code for the patch?

[Falokis]

AI still down grading repair bots to damage control

[ASHBERY76]

ORIGINAL: Falokis

AI still down grading repair bots to damage control

Yeah I am seeing this.

[warzer]

on the topic of the ship designer, my starburner (first level of it) keeps getting replaced by acceleros engines that are technically higher in the tech tree but quite worse for speed/thrust than the starburner.

[Erik Rutins]

ORIGINAL: Falokis
AI still down grading repair bots to damage control

Is this in a new 1.9.5.2 game or a loaded save from 1.9.5.1?

[Falokis]

ORIGINAL: Erik Rutins

ORIGINAL: Falokis
AI still down grading repair bots to damage control

Is this in a new 1.9.5.2 game or a loaded save from 1.9.5.1?

Old save (5.1), then a new game started in tech level 7 (5.2), then a new game (5.2) started from scratch. Same result on all. The patch was from steam beta. Should I try direct download from here? I'll do another if you need.

[AstroCat]

Something we have noticed is that images now will not resize properly when modded. You used to be able to have different file sizes and they would scale appropriately. This feature is now missing, is this a bug in the current version?

We talk about this in this thread:

tm.asp?m=3211317&mpage=7&key=