Differences Between GOG and scient or kyrub Versions of SMAC/X?

[Zoid]

Ok, I installed the official 2.0 patch and then scients. The game is working and it says "Version number 2.0" It didn't break my old save games. I should be good now, right?

[Hadrian]

Is there a reason why scient's patch seems to be more popular than kyrub's? The last one offers more bugfixes, as far as I understood, so I'm wondering why everyone prefers scient's.

[Lord Avalon]

scient was limiting himself to bug fixes; kyrub was trying to change the game with AI improvements.  See the "SMAC 444 (AI experiment)" thread at Poly for some history.

[Hadrian]

I see. Thank you.

[Petek]

First, it's correct that you have to install the official SMAX v2.0 patch before installing either scient's or kyrub's patch. My mistake. Also, you don't have to choose between having one of the unofficial patches but not the other. Simply rename scient's terran(x).exe to something like terran(x)_scient.exe, place it in the same folder as the original exe file and create a shortcut that points to the renamed exe file. Take similar steps for kyrub's patch.

I contacted someone at GOG about the version number problem. He replied that they are aware of the issue and are looking at it.

[Zoid]

I contacted someone at GOG about the version number problem. He replied that they are aware of the issue and are looking at it.

 

[Kirov]

scient was limiting himself to bug fixes; kyrub was trying to change the game with AI improvements.  See the "SMAC 444 (AI experiment)" thread at Poly for some history.

I read the entire thread and it doesn't mention anything about Brood Pits. On the other hand, it says something about 'talent facility bug' which I can't figure out. Can someone tell me what it is? Is Paradise Garden bugged or what?

Also, does someone know how to reach kyrub? Apparently he finished his work only half a year ago, maybe we could ask to do more changes with sufficient input.

Hadrian, I have the same question as you and for me it remains unanswered. Why do we still use scient if kyrub includes everything scient and gives more? Isn't stupid AI one of our worst problems?

Petek, thanks for contacting GOG.

I checked what somebody asked if a MP game works on copies with different exes and it sure does. However, I would expect crashes at the points where they are incompatible. I guess I'm just going to insist on using kyrub in my future games.

[Green1]

In my mind, the Kyrub patches are the "un"official patches for the fan community. Everyone who owns a copy should immediately apply it. It does make a difference. It is like the Age of Wonders community always tells the people to install their Upatch 1.4. It is that helpful.

Too bad Kyrub and Scient have probably moved on to other projects. There are some improvements even on these that could be made. But, it blows past unpatched or officially patched versions.

[Lord Avalon]

scient was limiting himself to bug fixes; kyrub was trying to change the game with AI improvements.  See the "SMAC 444 (AI experiment)" thread at Poly for some history.

I read the entire thread and it doesn't mention anything about Brood Pits. On the other hand, it says something about 'talent facility bug' which I can't figure out. Can someone tell me what it is? Is Paradise Garden bugged or what?

Also, does someone know how to reach kyrub? Apparently he finished his work only half a year ago, maybe we could ask to do more changes with sufficient input.

I looked at the bug list at Civ Gaming Network and didn't see anything about a "talent facility bug," so I PM'd kyrub over at Apolyton and asked about it, linking this thread.  I also posted a reply on the SMAC 444 thread asking what the bug is.

In my mind, the Kyrub patches are the "un"official patches for the fan community. Everyone who owns a copy should immediately apply it. It does make a difference. It is like the Age of Wonders community always tells the people to install their Upatch 1.4. It is that helpful.

Too bad Kyrub and Scient have probably moved on to other projects. There are some improvements even on these that could be made. But, it blows past unpatched or officially patched versions.

I did see old posts at Civ Gaming Net where scient said he was working on an update, but nothing ever got released. 

[Kirov]

To be honest, I care more about kyrub's changes rather than scient's, because they improve AI. Scient fixed what was already a house rule - elite patrol stuff, infinite airdrop and so on. If you notice the difference guys, it means you cheated before.

And in March 2012 kyrub sort of complained/noted that probably nobody cares about his work and there is nobody to playtest his changes. He finished his work in June or July, so he can be convinced to continue. If here we don't find enough people to test his stuff and help him in any other way, this forum truly doesn't deserve its name. I mean come on, this is our last stand. "By SMACers for SMACers" and all that jazz.

[Green1]

Playtest his changes?

I am a huge fan of his changes. Every AAR or even personal session I do is with his work! I agree, his changes have breathed new life into the game.

Maybe I should pop over there to offer my services if he still even views the board.Hell, maybe he could come over here. I think he would get more feedback.   I never have posted on Poly. Of course, I am not a one dimensional gamer. Sometimes I am in the mood for SMAC, sometimes a FPS, sometimes a MMO and tend to play one of those till I want to try something else.

[Buster's Uncle]

I PMed kyrub a while back - I see nothing but good coming of others doing the same and letting him know there's a lot if interest over here in him and his work...

[Hadrian]

Yes, "recruiting" him would be just the crowning moment this board needs.

[Kilkakon]

I never knew that those AI patches were released or anything like that! Shows how splintered things can be sometimes.

[Petek]

So, as mentioned in the News Forum, GOG's recent patch to SMAX didn't bring the games to where they should be. To fix, here's what I think you have to do (assuming that you applied the GOG patch):

1. Make a copy of GOG's terranx.exe.
2. Apply the SMAX 2.0 patch.
3. Apply the Win2k/XP compatibility update.
4. Replace terranx.exe with the copy you made in step 1.
5. (Optional) Copy the terran(x).exe files from either of the unofficial patches into the main game folder.

Has anyone installed the entire game from scratch (using the updated installer on GOG)?

I'm undecided whether or not to bug GOG about this again. I told them that there were files other than terranx.exe that needed to be updated.