Distant Worlds: Universe annouced!

[Darkspire]

I recently discovered something else to help me see the tiny text on a 1920x1080 display. Reading glasses.   :-[

I got mine in 2004, went to work Friday night, no problems with sorting the orders out on the computer. Went in Monday night and I could not see the screen, I had to call my second in command in early to get things done  :o

Darkspire

[Grim.Reaper]

I recently discovered something else to help me see the tiny text on a 1920x1080 display. Reading glasses.   :-[

I refuse to admit my body is breaking down:)  But that would probably work too:)

[Darkspire]

Beta update now available  :)

1.9.5.2 Beta Update available for testing

Darkspire

[Martok]

Coolness.  Glad to see them patching more quickly.  :) 

[W8taminute]

Yes this one seems to have some good updates/fixes to it.  The ai spending money on troops more carefully will be very welcome to my in game bank account!

[Jarhead0331]

Does this get applied automatically to the steam version, or do you need to opt in to beta patches?

[Kushan]

Does this get applied automatically to the steam version, or do you need to opt in to beta patches?

You have to opt in since it's a beta patch.

[Nefaro]

Yes this one seems to have some good updates/fixes to it.

They finally got around to revising the blurry fonts.  After how many years?   ;D

[OJsDad]

Update 1.9.5.2 is now officially out. 

http://www.matrixgames.com/forums/tm.asp?m=3621324

CRASH FIXES
- fixed crash when drawing space monsters ("CheckFixNotInSystem")
- fixed rare crash when drawing ships
- fixed rare crash when drawing Empire Navigation Tool
- fixed rare crashes relating to fleet mission assignment

BUG FIXES
- altered how keyboard input is read (different Windows API) in attempt to resolve view sometimes moving 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 (updated fix)
- 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
- fixed problem where player colony names were sometimes including blank values (colonynames.txt)

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)
- now properly limit coordinated fleet attacks within own empire only to automated attack fleets (not defense fleets or manually controlled 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")
- games now honor global volume settings for music and effects
- improved display performance for main menu screens (e.g. start new game)
- space monsters now properly attack ships in the Dead Zone
- ships can now properly investigate abandoned bases in the Dead Zone


This build has the following changes from 1.9.5.0 (initial release):

CRASH FIXES
- Fixed crash in ship design screen when changing image scaling
- Fixed crash when generating ship designs
- Fixed rare crash in game editor when adding asteroid fields
- Fixed rare crash with fleets
- Fixed rare crash with processing empire messages
- Fixed rare crash when identifying raidable colonies for pirates

BUG FIXES
- Steam Achievements fixed, should be working again now!
- Manually cancelled Deep Cover intelligence missions no longer continue to reveal enemy map for rest of game
- Fixed bug with loading troops when first non-garrisoned troop is too big for troop bay
- Fixed research and ship designs to not auto-update when edit empire in game editor, unless player has ship design automated
- Fixed occasional invisible space monsters
- Ensure empires properly cleared when using existing savegame as galaxy map for new game
- Ensure that ruins with delayed events also getting properly investigated

DISPLAY AND USER INTERFACE
- Reviewed all in-game font scaling and anti-aliasing and reworked font support to take newer Windows operating system scaling into account. Font size and clarity should now be more consistent across all systems.
- Enlarged and clarified fonts: Diplomacy screen, scrolling message list, tutorial screen, cash and income display
- Added Introductory Game button in Start New Game screen, we recommend this as a first game for all new players
- Moved PreWarp tutorial to last based on player feedback

OTHER
- Added a way to disable the intro movie in the Startup.ini file in the DW installation folder. This may help with some startup black screen issues by manually disabling the intro movie.
- Significant performance improvements
- Improved look of in-system background nebula clouds
- Pirates retain protection arrangements for minimum period before cancelling, this should also help with the pre-warp tutorial
- Improved randomness of starting government types in new games (for other empires, when random govt selected)
- Increased maximum event delay to 32000 days (from 10000)

[JasonPratt]

I spent some time myself this afternoon porting my previous copies over to Steam via the crazy registration process on Slither/ix.  ::) No problems, though.

[jomni]

Does it update the Steam version automatically?
I still get the update button in the menu screen.
Also how do I find out the version I'm using?

[Jarhead0331]

Does it update the Steam version automatically?
I still get the update button in the menu screen.
Also how do I find out the version I'm using?

It updates automatically on steam and the version number is in the bottom left corner of the menu screen.

[jomni]

Does it update the Steam version automatically?
I still get the update button in the menu screen.
Also how do I find out the version I'm using?

It updates automatically on steam and the version number is in the bottom left corner of the menu screen.

Thanks so I just ignore that manual Update Button. For a while I thought it prompts me to update to the version indicated below.

[steve58]

Distant Worlds 1.9.5.3 Beta Update is now available for testing.

Changes since 1.9.5.2:

CRASH FIXES
- fixed crash when drawing long range scanners in galaxy view
- fixed crash when drawing planet in hover panel
- fixed crash when auto-saving game
- fixed crash when loading game with custom theme from main menu
- fixed crash when drawing Empire Navigation Tool
- fixed crash with advisor message when invading independent colonies
- fixed crash when investigating ruins
- fixed crash when calculating troop strength
- fixed crash when editing ship design
- fixed crash when edit very large stars in game editor
- fixed crash when AI assigns new mining mission

BUG FIXES
- altered Windows API used for checking mouse location to fix screen scrolling to top-left (thus avoiding bug in Windows Vista 64-bit)
- fixed bases detaching from their parent planet/moon/asteroid when initiate retrofit before they are finished their previous retrofit
- sound volume now properly remembered when load games
- Unload Troops missions are now cancelled when target colony changes ownership (thus avoid unloading troops at enemy colony)
- fixed misleading message when your special forces troops destroy hidden pirate base facility at one of your own colonies
- main view now properly regains focus for mouse scroll-wheel when close Build Order screen
- fixed rare bug with pirate colonies over-ordering construction resources
- fixed display problems with main menu screen in Windows XP

USER INTERFACE
- enabled scaling of Empire Navigation Tool at screen left - use new size button next to close button in each panel to cycle 3 sizes: normal, large, extra large

OTHER
- improved how Action buttons (under Selection Panel) determine which mining station design to show (gas vs mineral) when building mining stations at planets/moons/asteroids (better support for custom themes with unusual resource distributions)

[Jack Nastyface]

FWIW...game 1, terran, republican, early technology.  A Dark Moon Pirate shows up on my doorstep and blasts my two construction platforms into nothingness.  I try building a defense platform, and they make short work of that.  I am now in debt to the tune of 2000, and the Dark Moon Pirates have landed an invasion force.
Sigh...

Jack Nastyface