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 430)
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on Dec 01, 2011

-Norbert-
And I recently noticed a really tiny bug too. When the Advent Revelation uses it's level 6 ability (I forgot the ingame name, but in the entity it's called "PlanetMania"), the icons floating above the target planet are quadrupled for some reason.

We never messed with that ability. So it is either supposed to be that way or the devs screwed it up.

BadTune
I sill think we should change the last 4-5 levels in the capital ship tech in the fleet tree, more than 5-6 capital ships make pretty much an unstoppable steam-roller of galactic conquest(not that it's not satisfying to see around 8 capitals with full upgrades erase fleet/starbases/and entire enemy occupation in any gravity well) but it does get kinda tired after a while.

Well against the AI I would agree. But then again starbases by themselves do this. Against a human (who also powers up fast) it leads to epic battle fights. Try it. ITS AWESOME!

BadTune
Was wondering if my ideas for altering the last upgrades in that tree to something like added exp gain/more armor/anti-matter/fighters per squadron/increase maximum bombing range of all the caps/anything at all that would increase the need for non-capitals instead of them being a "different option I may use on a whim"

Its an idea but we can only implement so much.

on Dec 01, 2011

lol, the comp just came at me in waves with about 15-20 caps to start ranging lvl 4~10, I had 6 advent caps and I mopped them up

I lost 3, they lost all 20 and continue to lose the groups of 2 and 3 they keep sending

but yeah, I know of the epic fleet collisions between many caps, but I'm more a Quality over quantity kinda guy

 P.S.: planet i was at is now mine, surrounded with factories, and Resurrect is quickly fixing that "new ship smell" >=3

 

ok, back to being serious(I say back like I ever was) anyway, I'm looking over the research files and it looks like all you'd have to do is replace what ability it looks for with something new. I'll play around with this a little bit and if anything positive happens I'll share it with you guys and see if you like the change. Then if it does generate a little interest from others, it's not like another mini-mod would hurt things

update: Found out what I need to add and how, now I just have to get it to only effect capital ships and we're good

For now, off to class

More Updates: I'm gonna keep adding to this one till someone else posts after me lol

Anyway, I think I've got a decent setup for the Vasari ATM  except I can't take their planetary bombing frigate out of the picture. If anyone knows how I'd be happy to stick it in. But for now:

Capital ship upgrade#5:Revised Calculations: Increase in bombing damage by 20% and population killed by 1% while bombing(that's each attack, like the ability off Tech's bomber except it's working for caps here)

#6:Advanced Maneuvering: increase in acceleration and turning in all capital ships by 15%(gotta fix a typo on this one)

#7:Cerebral Data mapping(didn't alter this one's name 'cause it kinda fits) Exp gained from combat increased by 10%

#8:Secondary Targeting: Increase capital ship target banks +1(I mean their pact adds it when you have a 20.00 alliance with someone..but I mean the tech has to come from somewhere right?)

Critique please, I'm still fairly stupid at this stuff so give me some pointers/advice/anything that could help, thanks ^^

on Dec 01, 2011

Hey, guys and gals

New to these forums,

I need help installing this mod.

I have got mod install, but while ingame, I have these freezes and mini dumps poping up.

1. I have Trinty.

2. 73603744 checksum

3. 0.99 B5 (Beta Five) and the update

4. I did update to 1.34 from Steam

 

I not sure what I did wrong, any help will be appericated.

 

on Dec 01, 2011

make sure it's not buried a file too deep and make sure you took the extras folder out(those are to be added seperately as independent mini-mods)

 

on Dec 01, 2011

That might be the case if you crash while enabling. If you crash while playing, it might be a memory stack. Try reducing your Empire Tree as much as possible through interface options and minimizing unnecessary entries you have. You can also stack smaller vessels. Also, don't play with everything on the highest graphics setting. I play with my settings at (from top to bottom) high, medium, low. For MP, really bring it down.

If you have more minidumps and such after tweaking all that, let us know and give details on the situation in game and with graphic settings and all.

on Dec 02, 2011

Bug Report:

 

Gravity Tolerance Research for Vasarri. The first upgrade has the numbers listed in Green, the following subsequent upgrades have the numbers listed in Red.

 

Is this working as intended or is it just a 'color typo'.

 

Also ran across the 'string not found' for the name and the description for the 'Tachyon Disruption'.

on Dec 02, 2011

someidiot777
I have got mod install, but while ingame, I have these freezes and mini dumps poping up.

Sounds like your settings are too high, if this is constantly happening 2 to 5 minutes into a game, like Draak said, turn your graphics settings down a tick or two and uncheck some of the other enhancements.  If these things are happening later in a game, like 2 to 3 hours in, then best I can say is try to use smaller fleet sizes and double your efforts to kill off a faction or two.  Maybe even play with pirates off.

boshimi336
Bug Report:

Gravity Tolerance Research for Vasarri. The first upgrade has the numbers listed in Green, the following subsequent upgrades have the numbers listed in Red.

Is this working as intended or is it just a 'color typo'.

Also ran across the 'string not found' for the name and the description for the 'Tachyon Disruption'.

I don't have work tomorrow, back to back 19 hour work days has that effect sometimes, so after I get some decent rest in and can think properly, while I'm giving the latest 1.00 release candidate a good looking over, I'll double check these things to see if they are fixed and if not, I'll add them to my list.

on Dec 02, 2011

So out of semi-random curiosity, how's that planet icon idea coming along?  Kinda looking forward to that little addition/add-on/whatever it turns out to be.  Though I don't remember if it got finished, or set aside for the time being, or whatnot.

on Dec 02, 2011

That is Draakjacht's baby.

on Dec 02, 2011

The planet icons are done. I sent them off to be played with. Dunno if they'll make it into the release as I have to still play with smaller icons, such as the artifact icon, homeworld icon, and then move on to play with unit icons. No rest for the weary.

I have other things I want to dabble in, so I'm sure that most of my curiosities will not be fully realized until the release of Rebellion. In which case, it'll be like playing a brand new game.

If you want a real treat, when the icons are released, play Birth of the Trade Order. Each planet/moon has an appropriate astrological symbol. Some had to be made up by a colleague who works on such things, seeing that not all moons were known when symbols were still being fashioned.

on Dec 02, 2011

boshimi336
Gravity Tolerance Research for Vasarri. The first upgrade has the numbers listed in Green, the following subsequent upgrades have the numbers listed in Red.

This is the color bug, because as the Dev's say, red is bad, green is good, though honestly, I'm not sure how to fix it.  ;]

 

boshimi336
Also ran across the 'string not found' for the name and the description for the 'Tachyon Disruption'.

This has been fixed in 1.00

on Dec 03, 2011

My mod file path is C:\Users\Sir Van\AppData\Local\Ironclad Games\Sins of a Solar Empire\Mods-Diplomacy v1.34\Distant Stars (D) 0.99 B5

 

It still crash with the effect's settings are on low.

 

More advice please.

on Dec 03, 2011

SI777, out of curiosity. Your system has enough RAM to run the game correct? You also are not having any problems with vanilla Trinity right?

on Dec 03, 2011
Processor Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-2600 CPU @ 3.40GHz 7.6
5.9
  Determined by lowest subscore
Memory (RAM) 8.00 GB 7.6
Graphics NVIDIA GeForce GTX 560 7.7
Gaming graphics 4095 MB Total available graphics memory 7.7
Primary hard disk 1125GB Free (1380GB Total) 5.9
Windows 7 Home Premium
System 
  Manufacturer Gateway
  Model DX4850
  Total amount of system memory 8.00 GB RAM
  System type 64-bit operating system
  Number of processor cores 4
Storage 
  Total size of hard disk(s) 1380 GB
  Disk partition (C:) 1125 GB Free (1380 GB Total)
  Media drive (D:) CD/DVD
Graphics 
  Display adapter type NVIDIA GeForce GTX 560
  Total available graphics memory 4095 MB
        Dedicated graphics memory 1024 MB
        Dedicated system memory 0 MB
        Shared system memory 3071 MB
  Display adapter driver version 8.17.12.8562
  Primary monitor resolution 1680x1050
  DirectX version DirectX 10
Network 
  Network Adapter

Intel(R) 82579V Gigabit Network Connection

on Dec 03, 2011

^, I don't know how to get my specs anyother way.

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