Distant Stars Mod Blog


Feedback of any kind is always welcome. Ideas, balance changes, and bug reporting of any kind is always useful!

Version 1.00 Released!

Make sure to ask for permission before republishing any part of this mod to the public!

Downloads

Rebellion Logo

1.05 + DLC Compatible:

0.12 ALPHA Release:
Full Download:
http://distantstars.mmobase.com/rebellion/Distant_Stars_(R)_ALPHA_0.13_[45189661].7z

Full Download MIRROR:
http://www.moddb.com/downloads/distant-stars-rebellion-alpha-013

MD5: 69486D2FCD3F35E46E6F5EF8C9F1634A

Diplomacy Logo

1.34 Compatible:

1.01 Release:
Full Download:
http://distantstars.mmobase.com/diplomacy/Distant_Stars_(D)_1.01_[45685832].7z

 

Entrenchment Logo

1.051 Compatible:

Beta 0.9951 Release:
Full Download:
http://distantstars.mmobase.com/entrenchment/DS_Entrenchment_Beta_0.9951_[36672852].7z

SoaSE Logo

1.14 - 1.181 Compatible:

Version 1.01:
Full Download:
http://distantstars.mmobase.com/soase/Distant_Stars_v1.01_[453701567].7z

Make sure to ask for permission before republishing any part of this mod to the public!

Multiplayer Games:
We've setup a thread for everyone to organise their multiplayer games in and also setup example times and dates for most people to meet up and start games. These are what we hope to be the main times for people to be around and want to play games together.

The times are:
4pm EST (9pm GMT) Saturdays & Sundays
9pm EST (2am GMT)
Saturdays & Sundays

If you want to organise other games please go ahead using the same topic to consolidate all the information in one place and hopefully get more games together within our community. These games are for PvP, PvAI & PvPvAIso come along and we'll get some games going!

Screenshots:
We've setup a thread so you can all post your screenshots to share with us the Distant Stars team and its players. Im sure we're all intrigued to see what kinds of battles and events you've all been having on the mod aswell.

Lore:
We know some of you guys love to role play whilst using Distant Stars, and here's a topic for you guys to post all of your role playing stories, character profiles and anything else you can imagine.

Maps:
Some of you avid map makers out there have produced some great maps but never really had them recognised because they've got lost. Well here's a topic for you to post a link to the download (we can even provide mirrors if necessary) a screenshot or two of the map for us all the preview and if enough people like it we'll even include the map in with the actual mod!

Please visit our website and for more information, change logs, downloads, and to report bugs. Our website can be found here: http://distantstars.mmobase.com

Bug Reporting

If you want to report a bug please use the Bug Report feature on our website:
http://distantstars.mmobase.com/?m=reportabug

Please include as much information as possible, if you have an error log feel free to post it on these forums and we'll take it from there. If you can reproduce the error please include the error log (read below to find out how to enable error logs) and include as much detail on how to reproduce the problem.

To enable logging:
Windows Vista/Windows 7:
C:\Documents and Settings\<Your Windows Username>\Local Settings\Application Data\Ironclad Games\Sins of a Solar Empire\Setting
or
Windows XP:
C:\Documents and settings\<Your Windows Username>\Local Settings\Application Data\Ironclad Games\Sins of a Solar Empire\Setting

Open the user.setting file (using Notepad, Wordpad or any text editor) and scroll down to the bottom 7 lines from the bottom is the line:
LogOutput FALSE
Change FALSE to TRUE
LogOutput TRUE

and from then on any Log files will be saved to the debug folder:
Windows Vista/Windows 7:
C:\Documents and Settings\<Your Windows Username>\Local Settings\Application Data\Ironclad Games\Sins of a Solar Empire\Debug
or
Windows XP:
C:\Documents and settings\<Your Windows Username>\Local Settings\Application Data\Ironclad Games\Sins of a Solar Empire\Debug

If you get these log files to us (you can just paste them in to a forum post) we can hopefully get your issues sorted.

Frequently Asked Questions

All files are compressed using 7Zip to shrink the download filesize. To extract these files you must use WinRAR or 7Zip.
Any Patches should overwrite the original install directory, either by extracting over the original folder, or cut/copy & pasting over the existing file/folder structure.

1) My game keeps crashing, is there anything I can do to stop it?
i) Are you running the game on maximum (highest) settings? if so, lower them to High or Medium, there is a known issue with the game using up too much memory, there is nothing we can do about this, also no matter how powerful your pc is, it is affected by this issue no matter the pc it is not above this crashing issue, it is a game problem not a hardware one, so quite simply lower your settings. If you still have an issue with crashing see point two.
ii) Give us as detailed information as possible about the crash, what was happening at the time of the crash, what races, ships, abilities were involved. If you can supply a Debug Log (see above for more information about logging) and post a bug report on our website.

2) The loading screens and portrait pictures dont appear properly, whats wrong?
i) This is an issue with ATI based graphics cards (rarely affects Nvidia based cards) we're looking in to the issue.

3) Why dont you support converting Distant Stars in to TXT format?
i) Quite simply many things can go wrong with converting your mod to TXT, we cant help you with something you've probably broken yourself.

4) Can I mod Distant Stars for myself?
i) Yes you can however please do not distribute our mod or our mod that you have edited to the public. You must ask for permission to do so, we will regrettably stop distributing our mod to all if users abuse our work.

5) Your mod is in BIN format I can't edit the files, what can I do?
i) You can convert the mod to TXT format however we wont offer any support to versions of the mod that have been converted to TXT.

6) Why is Distant Stars distributed in BIN format?
i) Mods load faster in BIN format and are less likely to have issues in this format.

7) I'm having trouble installing the MOD, do you have any more instructions?
i) Carbon was kind enough to do some more advanced instructions out here.

8) Is there any way to make new maps for Distant Stars using GalaxyForge?
i) Within the Distant Stars Extras folder there is a folder called Galaxy Forge, Copy and Paste this folder (or its contents) over your original Galaxy Forge folder (or its contents) replacing any files if it asks you to. When you start Galaxy Forge next you'll be able to use all of our planets.

Or, the DIY approach (without custom icons):

ii) The GalaxyForge supplied by the devs will still work with our Mod, however to be able to access all of our planetary bonuses, templates, planet types and stars you will need to take our GalaxyScenarioDef.galaxyScenarioDef (found in the GameInfo folder of the mod) and place it in to your GalaxyForge folder, overwriting the original GalaxyScenarioDef.galaxyScenarioDef (if you still wish to make maps for the original game keep a backup of the original file). This will allow you to use all of the Galaxy changes included in our mod.

Note: Any maps made for Distant Stars will not work with other Mods. See #8.2 for DIY instructions for map making or take the appropriate files from Entrenchment, they're cross-client compatible.

Some statistics...

Since August 2009 to February 2011 we have had over...

400,000 Unique visits to the website
12,000GB (12TB) of data transferred from our website

That equates to over 60,000 Unique downloads of the entire mod, excluding the excess of 20,000 Patches downloaded. 

Thanks to everyone that has supported us this far and making our mod as popular as it is!

dyMRNwSFh9gw

Comments (Page 116)
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on Dec 13, 2009

Hi!

I'm just new to the community and downloaded the mod (SoaSe, Entrenchment and Diplomacy) I put them in the folders the Readme.txt said for each one but when I activate them ingame I get minidumps in the 3 of them.

I don't really know why, I will upload the minidumps to megaupload or something so you can check them if you want.

I also upload 2 logs with some errors as you said in the main post:

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=NZAP9DDF

The error is the casual in this mod thing, I choose the mod, hit Enable Mod, then Apply Changes, and then a *Error sound* sounds in the background and the game quits with a Send/Don't Send report error.


Any help will be grateful, thanks!

on Dec 13, 2009

What checksum do you get when you are in the Mod activation area, its the number in the right hand corner

it should read
453701567 for the Vanilla Game
36295747 for Entrenchment
and Im not sure for Diplomacy

on Dec 13, 2009

453701567 for Vanilla
Now I don't know why but I can't start Entrenchment, I get a minidump when the main menu should show.
36365860 for Diplomacy

on Dec 13, 2009

try deleting the mob in your mod folder and reinstalling it. Or you can change the name quickly so SINS cant load it...Then re apply it once you get into the game.

If that doesnt work a redownload of the mod is a good idea. Sometimes it doesnt download right

 

on Dec 13, 2009

-Ue_Carbon

...but the Planetary defenses are still a work in progress...
 

Yes I have my crack team of -Ue_ researchers working hard on tweaking the network...I cant comment on the  Vasari or Advent prototypes...seems I have a double agent in my team, or maybe they are just quick to copy once they have been ambused by it. Would explain the sudden maufacturing of gunships by the enemy also....hrrrmmm...neverless as always we are working hard to bring you cutting edge tech for the war. And so far Ive kept our newest project under wraps from the enemy.

 

Silly TECie, YOU are the double agent.  We Advent subjugated your mind ages ago, so you personally send us all the information on your own.  Can't say much for the Vasari one's though, but knowing them they've just got nano-machine spies around or something.  Danged Vasari.

Oh, but don't worry, you won't remember any of this in 30 seconds, so go back to your research, and keep sending us updates!

on Dec 13, 2009

Okay, did a little more playing and have a few things to add.

The good: I like the gunship ability and the balancing with Building Mandate (being a TEC myself).

The bad: I'm concerned that with the gunship doing more damage than the bomber, and being tougher, that it will pretty much take over in all SC arenas. I was wondering if there is a hidden attribute that still makes the bomber more menacing to a cap OR if you guys are thinking of tweaking this (maybe having multiple research levels a la EWS bomber). I also noticed that the pirate vessels maintain the original layout for shields, meaning that I get a Kortul shield effect when attacking a pirate cap.

I have taken screenshots to make the cards for at least one pirate vessel, but since I'm not that far in my campaign, I have two questions. 1) How many different pirate models am I looking for? 2) For the central window at the bottom, do they use a transparent gif to create the window reflection or do I have to impose that over the ship image? Hope that question is clear.

on Dec 13, 2009

Alexander Draakjacht, Fleet Admiral of the David's Lions.

Symbol: Yellow Star of David

The Lions are a religious branch of the Judaic people from Earth's earlier history. This connection to an older religion allowed the Lions to evade religious persecution during the exile of the Advent. In spite of this, many eyes are kept wary by their presence and the Lions have responded with a degree of social isolationism. Against the Vasari, the Lions have provided what little numbers they have to fight off the alien force, garnering a reputation for supressing passion for the sake of good judgement and numerical preservation. Since the resurgence of the Advent, the Lions have come under fire for their mixed reactions. Although never unwilling to provide defensive forces for the TEC, they hold little ill will against the Advent and even sympathize with them because of the similarity of their histories and so they hesitate to take the offensive.

Their strategies rely heavily on capital vessels and starbases. They use mobile, defensive tactics to engage the enemy in a sometimes slow, but relatively low caualty advance. Kols provide half of their capital forces, with a blend of support capitals escorting the Kols in equal numbers. Offensively, strikecraft are used for fighter cover only, but the recently fielded gunship is becoming more prominent in defensive arenas.

Behind the frontlines, the Lions are a heavily economic people, their hands being deeply entrenched within almost every economic sector. As their forces garner territory, massive refitting takes place in older territory, battle ready stations being stripped down and converted into economic hubs. Although costly, the long-term gains offset the cost and the foresight to focus on orbital refineries keeps the converted starbases from producing the trade congestion that would occur if trade hubs were too numerous.

on Dec 13, 2009

yes the shield mesh is messed up, I sent over Nacey another copy of the right one, hopefully he wont lose this one

1. Just the Battleship and Fighters have not found any models yet for the others

2. dont know

on Dec 13, 2009

The gunships are should be doing Antilight damage meaning they should only being doing well against other SC...and sucky against everything else. They are ment to curve the enormous ammount of SC that can be fielded late game. If their not then I guess a refit is in order. 

 

And its a pleasure to serve with you Admiral Draakjacht.

on Dec 13, 2009

Lord Ryat Arnoldt, Baron of the High Gryphons System

Lord Ryat is known for his deviousness in battle and high understanding of the enemy, sometimes seeming to show sympathy for the Vasari much to the dismay of others. There are even rumors that he is in constant contact the pirates that roam the stars, giving them many new weapons and tactics. Yet his almost brutal effeciency in destroying the Vasari and Pirates seems to cast doubt over these issues. None though doubt his hatred for the Advent being that his system has boarded the space of the Advent for so long and had lost most of his family and homeworld to them in the inital opening attacks. His solid defense and some fortunate pirate attacks on the flanks of the Advent held them off long enough for the massive industrial complex on other worlds of the High Gryphons System to build a massive attack fleet mixed with many capitals and support cruisers that allowed him to thrust the Advent back, though it was too late to save his beloved homeworld.

The strategies applied by Lord Ryat involve a heavy use of capitals mostly of the Kol and Sova mix with supporting capitals in the mix. Kodiaks, Hoshikos, and Light Carriers make up the rest of his fleets providing him with a flexible, fast, and hard hitting fleet that sends the enemy reeling. And he always seems to hit just when the pirates are doing their worst to the enemy.

on Dec 13, 2009

Anyone know a program to edit a .window file?

on Dec 13, 2009

Draakjacht
Anyone know a program to edit a .window file?
Personally I just use Notepad, Wordpad or Notepad++

on Dec 13, 2009

Multiplayer Games:
We've setup a thread for everyone to organise their multiplayer games in and also setup example times and dates for most people to meet up and start games. These are what we hope to be the main times for people to be around and want to play games together.

The times are:
4pm EST (9pm GMT) Saturdays & Sundays
9pm EST (2am GMT)
Saturdays & Sundays

If you want to organise other games please go ahead using the same topic to consolidate all the information in one place and hopefully get more games together within our community. These games are for PvP, PvAI & PvPvAIso come along and we'll get some games going!

on Dec 13, 2009

Huzzah!!!!

on Dec 13, 2009

Btw, thinking about it, I can see why Gunships should be only starbase/carrier units. If you have them available for everything, then regular fighters would be pretty pointless. One source of offensive and one source of defensive gunships works.

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