You can turn pirates off in the game options menu, the one where you set game speed, fleet size, and whether or not teams are locked.  That's the only way to not have the super-powered pirates.

A lot more went into it then just simply repatching, as I'm sure you already know.  =]

I tried the best I could to replicate the checksum he had to know for sure what the problem was.  Had some issues downloading the mod files, had some issues pop up with my pc from repeatedly starting and stopping the game, had a ton of issues with the forums which would drive anybody nuts...

Sometimes everything work's out well, sometimes they don't.

But it doesn't matter, as long as the problem gets fixed, it was time well spent.  =]

You could always delete the files for the effects you don't like.  That's the easiest way to eliminate them.  Of course, you would have to know which ones to delete and doing so could change your checksum and then you won't be able to play online with anyone else using the mod.  May I suggest going into the options menu where the effects are and just turning everything off and setting them to low there instead?  It will make things look a lot less pretty saving lots of gfx processor power, but still retaining full function and checksum value.

Speaking from experience, believe it or not, that's actually not a problem with the sound.  Your graphics are set too high.  Turn them down, saves on memory, that problem goes away.  If you're running everything at highest, set them to high.  Maybe even set the planets to medium.  Removing the bloom effect does wonders too.

Just so its known I've now uploaded a mirror to the TXT based files for DEFAULT SoaSE Diplomacy files, as mentioned above we will not be releasing TXT versions of distant stars nor will we support these files, they are just there for those that wish to mod the files to use. Also included is a changed files folder so only the files that have changed since the patch before that version are included.

Distant Stars uses default structure prices as the original game. The only prices we have increased are capital ships costs due to their increased strength(s).

As stant mentioned thats a client issue and not a mod issue, try lowering your graphics settings to high / medium and it sure cure the issue.

Currently there isnt an easy way to do this however removing the particle folder (deleting or renaming it would work) should remove alot of the extra effects, however I must warn you it may break a few graphics.
We're still working on the pirates for Diplomacy with their new buffs ours have been unintentionally buffed also and considering ours were already powerful its kind of pushed them past what we intended.

Hmm... Just to make myself clear, I'm not suffering performance problems. I'm suffering aesthetics problems. Decreasing the visual quality will only compound them, I'm afraid.

I gather the GFX modifications are kept as a separate mod in the DS package for the expansion-free version of Sins. If so, could I use a copy of that do determine which files I need to remove from the Diplomacy version of DS, without introducing weirdness? - I know it will introduce checksum problems, but I hardly ever have time to play friends & never strangers, so it's a non-issue for me. Thanks for the warning though.

Also, not to seem too impatient, but is there an ETA on a fix for the pirates?

Thanks for the help & for all your work. The scope of DS is mind-blowing, in the very best of ways. It must be a nightmare to work on. Please don't stop

the majority of the mod is one core so no go on that sorry (the gfx was introduced for the original, we've just kept them in that long)

only powerful pirates and dynamic movement are kept seperate

as too the pirates they should be changed over by next patch

Not trying to be rude by being blunt here, but do you suffer from epilepsy?  I ask because you're not really saying what the problem is with the graphics other then they're overdone and reducing makes things worse, so all I can come up with is that you're trying to maintain the look of the game at a high level but have less lights flashing on the screen from the weapons fire and explosions.  Especially considering how plain the originals are, which you said you didn't care for either.  Honestly, if I'm wrong, then I'm wrong and I apologise, but if this is the case, then I think given some time, maybe a workable solution can be provided.  At any rate, an example of the exact issue with as many details as you can give would help out a lot.  No one can give anything besides general help if only general information is provided.  Outside of that, all I can say is follow Nacey's advice whenever it's given since he is the man running the project.  Delete the particle folder, rename it, move it somewhere else...

Too bad, but thanks for the explanation. I'm really, really looking forward to the next update

Don't worry, you're not being rude. I'm furtunately not epileptic, but you're right that I'd like to get rid of the flashy combat effects without descreasing the overall graphical quality of the game. I know everyone else thinks the flashier effects i DS are an improvement and that the original effects were plain. I think that even the original effects are too flashy. But it's just my personal preference, you're welcome to think I'm a little crazy. I probably am

I'll try removing the particle folder tonight & see what happens. If it's anything terribly glitchy, I'll post back on the odd chance I'm not alone with my graphics preferences.

Thanks for the help guys.

Edit: I've disabled the particles folder, and from my very limited testing it doesn't appear to cause any instability, serious bugs or glitches. Most effects wholly or partially reverts to the originals, and a couple go missing altogether. All in all, it's both a better and worse solution than the one I was asking for. Thanks again, guys. And if anyone else shares my preferences, you might want to try this.

Glad to see disabling the particles has helped atleast a little with the problem were having. To answer your question about when the other patch should be coming out, all going well it should be out by the end of this week, which should also include the pirates nerfs.

Im probably gonna sound stupid asking this but does this work when the game is in v 1.91 cause im downloading it right now and i saw it said its compatible with versions 1.14 to 1.181 so would this work with my version of the game? also im new to modding a game so if i can get any help on how to get this to work that would greatly appreciated.

It will not work with 1.91.

so what would i need to do uninstall and reinstall the game then? or do i have to wait until its compatible with my version of the game?

Your only option is to wait till we update the vanilla version or buy Entrechment and use that version. Or find Harpos mod tools, and update it yourself.

any idea on how long that would be until its out?

In the words of Michelangelo (the artist not the turtle) to Pope Julius

"When it is finished"

Thanks to the DS team for all their hard work, I love this mod.Hopefully the new diplomacy version comes out soon, as it's hard for me to play without dynamic movement.