I think it can be said that it is the result of neglect and too many pointless updates. I mean, seriously - the SDC crew basically killed every good strategy that was developed in DL and DA with their updates and with TA. That may have been what turned many of the senior players off of the game. Good point Seth.

~ Cypher ~

I meant updates to the forums. TA was awsome.

I know that's what you meant. Don't get me wrong - TA is awesome. It just seems like alot of the strategies that players used for DL and DA got ripped to shreds by TA. I still love the game, though. BTW - you're right - the forum's updates were pointless.

~ Cypher ~

That would be a player, I-Mod Stefan.

I have several other thoughts brewing in my head, but it would only bring more doom-n-gloom to this thread.  As a member of the Kzin, I don't wish to pee in someone else's pool, even if it's my opponent's.

Well, if that's the case, I-Mod Stefan should get a move on things.

i think there will be a core of dedicated players for quite some time. however i don't think these forums will come back to life, as you say. that has a lot to do with several decisions stardock has made, most notibly the "cross-posting" across all their threads. those of us who are just here for one or two products fine it very un-nerving.

as for the metaverse, i think they're get to it eventually. i just think it's a very low priority for them. and to be totally honest, these are some of the most cumbersome forums i've ever used. the search doesn't work, ever. it takes several seconds longer to load any page on the stardock forums than just about any other forum i visit. i'm sure i can list more turn-offs, but i won't dwell on the negative.

GC2 is a fine game and people will continue playing it for quite some time. it's not like the FPS genre, which is contantly flooded with new releases. good TBS games are rare, and GC2 ranks pretty high on a short, elite list of games to do it well (despite some lingering problems). i, for one, am absolutely sure i'll come back to this game: likely for years to come. i don't know if i'll ever play another MV game or not, but there's a good chance i'll release ship designs and mods in the future.

Well that's the cons of having race specific tech trees and improvments plus an advanced AI, I am working on some strategies for TA.

It's wierd, the games that Stardock makes are great but the forums for the games are pure shit. Mabye for Galciv 3 the forums could use a better forum sofware?

An example was in Febuary where Brad decided to post news about Sins of a Solar Empire on these forums which by the way Sins sucks ass which is why I let my Sins disc collect dust and rot in my closet. Another removal of the forum ranks and of course updating the smilelies, but hey at least we can have bigger avatars now. Also SD should consider using vBulletin for the Galciv 3 forums.

@ Everyone who reads this thread:

I've been thinking long and hard today about the current state of the forums, the Metaverse, and the interest of gamers in Galactic Civilizations II. Here's what my thinking has showed me: Galactic Civilizations II is losing popularity and it is losing its dedicated fan-support. Something has to change.

As I mentioned earlier, the state of GalCiv2 can be compared to the economy of America. It is terrible. Like the economy, the state of GalCiv2 was once incredible. I believe that, just like the economy will be great again someday, the GalCiv2 forums, MV, and etc. will be great again, too. Whether we have to wait for New Frontiers or GalCiv3 or whatever, it will be great again someday.

I may be a new player, but I feel like I enjoy GalCiv2 as much, if not more, then the most experienced of players. Because of my pride in this game, I am going to try and jumpstart the forums and the MV, and the overall love of the game for all of the fans. What I will do will be drastic. It may or may not work, but at least I can say in the end that I tried. No matter if I fail or suceed, I tried.

I'm not going to get into the specifics of what I am going to do, but trust me when I say that it'll be drastic. You may be wondering how you will know when I have started my campaign for GalCiv2. Trust me when I say this: You will know it's me when you see it. You will know.

One last thing. I ask you all to please not think that I am taking this all too seriously. I may seem pretty fanatic, but I just want to make a difference. I'm not a "super-nerd" who sits in front of a computer 24/7. I actually do have a life. I just believe that, since I have a plan for making the GalCiv2 universe better, I owe it to everyone else to at least try to make my plan work. This game is without a doubt the greatest game I have ever played, and I don't want to see it die. So please, don't judge me or flame me over this. Like I said, I just want to try and help GalCiv2. Thanks and Best Regards now and always.

~ Cypher ~

Now for a not-so-serious post: I have heard alot about a GalCiv3. Is GalCiv3 the same as New Frontiers, or is it something completely different?

~ Cypher ~

I know what your gonna do. 

New Frontiers is a fan exspansion pack and Galciv 3 is the official Galciv sequel.

Do we know for sure that SD will actually make a GalCiv3?

Oh yeah, Brad said.

That's cool, though I doubt they will get it out any time soon.

BTW - I'm curious as to what you think I will do, Seth. Yes, I am obviously going to make a post, but I'm going to take it a little further then that. Let me put it to you this way - I am going to have a VERY long weekend.