Stardock released a v4.2 update today for Galactic Civilizations III, its massive space sandbox 4X strategy game. The update has taken a large amount of community feedback into account as it works to address the game’s balance. [img]{STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/5819003/51a56dbd8fe2cb7a9ba6dbcc08d72a3d104902cd.jpg[/img] The version 4.2 update focuses on balancing several existing elements within the game, including planet classes, resource requirements for certain Starbase modules, habitable planet counts in each map size, and more. “This update wouldn't have been possible without our community,” said Stardock CEO Brad Wardell. “Without their feedback and their sharing of saved games, it would have been much more difficult for us to take a look at some of the more specific balance issue within various play scenarios.” [table] [tr] [td][img]{STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/5819003/a879a10968cb5da4057a5f25a22f48ca0c56f8a5.jpg[/img][/td] [td][img]{STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/5819003/3b83705f378cae51a5b337df1bd3aa9b9195bd9c.jpg[/img][/td] [/tr] [/table] Some adjustments have been made to values granted by certain technologies, and the default player count on each map size has also been increased. The AI has been updated to be more generous when trading tech, and an AI player will no longer rush a ship when it doesn’t need to. Since Galactic Civilizations III released in 2015, Stardock has made frequent updates while taking player feedback into account. Because of this, the game has continued to improve throughout the years, ensuring that even long-time players have something new or interesting to look forward to when an update is released. The v4.2 update is now available. Make sure to check out the full changelog down below! [h2]Change Log[/h2] [h3]Fixes[/h3] [list] [*] Typo Fixes [*] Fixed an initialization bug [/list] [h3]Balance[/h3] [list] [*] Planet class 26 added [*] General balance of planets classes moved down some. [*] Players can start slightly closer together. [*] Starbase particle beam support weapon no longer requires Elerium [*] Starbase Stinger missile support weapon no longer requires anti-matter [*] Starbase Shield Generator support module no l,onger requires Elerium [*] Starbase Point defense support module no longer requires Elerium [*] Starbase Titanium plate module no longer requires Durantium [*] Starbase perimeter Scanner no longer requires Durantium [*] Starbase sector scanner Durantium cost reduced from 2 to 1 [*] Starbase modules resource cost reduced by 1 [*] Starbase Archeology module benefits increased [*] Starbase level 1 economic modules no longer require special resources [*] Content approval threshold reduced from 45% to 40% [*] Starting year increased from 2242 to 2243 for Retribution [*] Tiny map habitable planet count increased from 32 to 36 [*] Small map habitable planet count increased from 40 to 48 [*] Medium map habitable planet count increased from 100 to 120 [*] Large map habitable planet count increased from 200 to 250 [*] Huge map habitable planet count increased from 300 to 320 [*] Gigantic map habitable planet count increased from 400 to 450 [*] Immense map habitable planet count increased from 500 to 550 [*] Planetary Improvement tech increases admin points +1 [*] Colonial Engineering tech increases admin points +1 [*] Artificial Gravity tech increases admin points +1 [*] Interstellar Resupply tech increases admin points +1 [*] Xeno Commerce tech increases admin points +1 [*] Xeno Entertainment tech increases admin points +1 [*] Retribution: Star distance reduced from 7 tiles to 5 tiles. [*] Default player count per map size increased: [list] [*] Small: 3 to 5 [*] Medium: 6 to 9 [*] Large: 8 to 11 [*] Huge: 12 to 17 [*] Gigantic: 16 to 21 [/list] [*] Colony ships cost more [*] Prototype hyperdrive requires anti-matter instead of Promethion [*] Slight bump to improvement costs. [*] Tiny hull receives +2 speed buff [*] Small hull receives +1 speed buff [*] Cargo hull cost increased. [*] Capital world now provides +5 Credits per turn. [*] Capital production bonus increased from 2 to 3. [/list] [h3]AI[/h3] [list] [*] AI more generous in tech trading [*] Fixed bug that could cause an AI player to rush a ship when it didn't want to. [*] AI will no longer overwrite its current improvement project. [/list]