Problem with GoG version

[binTravkin]

Hi!

New here, but was known back on Apolyton and CGN some 7-8 yrs ago.
Just got the GoG version a few days ago and it has been a blast.

However..
I'm playing a switching-game, whereas I switch factions upon becoming the strongest.
Currently I am in my 2nd switch playing as Miriam.
Lal has Planetary Datalinks.
I research Doctrine: Air Power as first (noone has it yet), Lal gets it the at the start of the same turn.

It is clearly a bug, but what caused it?
I did not trade D:AP. Lal already had it when I entered the turn.
I loaded up as Lal to see if he has even a route to me. No - we have undiscovered area between us.

My game version was initially the one from GoG.
Now I tried applying the official 4.0 patch. Loaded same save game and the result is the same.
Then I tried to apply the AI patch (http://alphacentauri2.info/index.php?action=downloads;sa=view;down=260) as it changes terran.exe, with same result.

Maybe the bug exists in some file that contains all the project effects? And the number of foreign factions to have researched a tech is reduced to 1 there?

Do you have any ideas what should I try?

Thank you!

[Mart]

Hi binTravkin,

There are new exe mods with many bugs fixed and also additional functionality for modders.

Try latest Yitzi patch:
http://alphacentauri2.info/index.php?action=downloads;cat=2

However, alphax.txt has rearranged rules section, so I am not sure your save will work there.

[binTravkin]

Yea, I figured that much, that it could break compatibility.

So I wanted to first see if it is possible to fix it as-is.

Because I remember from last time I played SMAC those 7+ yrs ago that this worked correctly.

[Mart]

Yitzi patch is for SMAX.
SMAC has version 5.0 (winXP compatibity patch?)
scient worked on fixing many errors in SMAX, not sure what was made for vanila SMAC.
There are patches improving AI (kyrubs SMAX; SMAC 444)

Yitzi patch is presently most advanced in changes and bugs fixes, it also derives from scient's work. From version 3.4 it has included PRACX patch for graphics, like map dragging with right mouse button, zooming map with mouse wheel, additional resource display options and some other.
For SMAC, PRACX has to be applied still manually.

Over here most players use Yitzi patch, in multiplayer most games use it.

[binTravkin]

What I have now is:
GoG version of game.*
 + SMAC Patch 4.0 from here: http://alphacentauri2.info/index.php?action=downloads;cat=3
 + this AI patch: http://alphacentauri2.info/index.php?action=downloads;sa=view;down=260

Reasons - I wanted to only try SMAC as I am now playing SMAC (have SMAX too, the version is "complete").

* - beginning to suspect that something is wrong in the GoG files, which is making the Planetary Datalinks have the "factions have it" value to be 1 instead of 3, because nothing else seems wrong in game.

I will probably also check out the SMAX patches after I've finished this switch-game.
Might even try some multiplayer. I used to play PBEMs.

Is there a good step-by step instruction around to put the latest SMAC patches?
From what I gathered SMAC + official 4.0 + AI patch 444 is already as good as it gets.

[Mart]

As I remember, the Win 2000/XP compatibility patch:
http://alphacentauri2.info/index.php?action=downloads;sa=view;down=13
was making changes to both SMAX and vanila SMAC too. And SMAC there reads 5.0
Firaxis fixed some bugs in that patch, and it was some number of them. I remember someone reported that noticed fixes not reported even.
The compatibility patch seems to have changes to files other than exe. It is msi instal in self-extracting exe.

===
On the other hand, GoG may be already adjusted with these changes, so there would be no need to have these patches.
Is SMAC version 5.0 in regular unchanged GoG version?

[binTravkin]

Ok, I tried this and same problem.

I will see about redownloading the game or looking for non-GoG versions to see if that helps.

[binTravkin]

Ok, so I redownloaded the game using GoG downloader and:
Same problem. I guess I will have to drop this save game and try to start another game and see if PDL bug is back again.
Also - game says it's "version 5", Jul 2002, but does not have the improved sea mining platform graphics as from official patch 4..

[Mart]

It looks like they made only some changes in GoG compared to winXP compatibility. Graphics was left as old version...

[Yitzi]

Hi binTravkin,

There are new exe mods with many bugs fixed and also additional functionality for modders.

Try latest Yitzi patch:
http://alphacentauri2.info/index.php?action=downloads;cat=2

However, alphax.txt has rearranged rules section, so I am not sure your save will work there.

The save should work, provided there hasn't been any ecodamage or use of planet busters, tectonic missiles, or major atrocities yet.  You would need to adjust some of the text files, though (or, if you haven't changed them, just use what's already in the download).

[binTravkin]

Thank you all, I started a new game with clean installation + the 444 AI patch (terran.exe) and will see how it goes this time.