GalCiv IV Epic vs. GalCiv IV Supernova FAQ

[Frogboy]

There have been a few posts about this so rather than letting the forum get clogged up with the same question here's a summary:

In 2022, Galactic Civilizations IV was released exclusively onto Epic. Now, as is pretty typical, a year later, we have released the first expansion pack for the game called Supernova. People who have GalCiv IV on Epic can get Supernova for $15.99 (it'll eventually be $19.99 but since it's early access there's a discount).

Now, since GalCiv IV base was never released on Steam at all, it was decided to integrate the base game and Supernova together: GalCiv IV: Supernova which is $39.99 (it will be $49.99 eventually but it's in early access so it's $10 off).

The Epic version of the base game has been frequently updated with features and improvements since its release and will continue to receive updates and improvements. The only thing Epic users are being charged for are completely new features never envisioned for the base game (for example, ChatGPT didn't even exist when GalCiv IV was released).

On Steam: GalCiv IV: Supernova has everything put together.

Hope this helps.

[SundiataWTF]

Why am I being charged for what is essentially a patch to a game I already bought?

I'm furious right now. I saw the annoucement of Gal Civ IV: Supernova here on Steam. Okay, I thought, I bought the game day one on the Epic store, in part to support the developers. So I went to the Epic store and saw that I get a generous 60% discount if I re-buy the rebranded game. It's really just a patch! I read the content description and there is no new content at all. This is borderline fraud.

This needs to be sorted. You can't charge again for something you've already sold me that was broken. You need to fix it -- not for free, because I've already paid.

The lesson I'm learning is clear. I will never again trust Stardock. I'll never buy another of their games. And I'll never again buy from Epic. The two just can't be trusted. Fix this and don't do it again, and all will be forgiven. Until then, I'm through with you.

[Frogboy]

1. This isn't a patch. GC4: Supernova is available on epic for $19.99 (like an expansion).
2. GC4 continues to get updated on Epic.
3. GC3 continues to get updated on Epic/Steam.

[mellowlocke]

Originally posted by Draginol:

1. This isn't a patch. GC4: Supernova is available on epic for $19.99 (like an expansion).
2. GC4 continues to get updated on Epic.
3. GC3 continues to get updated on Epic/Steam.

What is the difference between GC4 and GC4: Supernova?

[Frogboy]

Check out this post: It goes into some detail: https://forums.galciv4.com/518056/galciv-iv-supernova---early-access-guided-tour

[Frogboy]

If you have the base game on Epic, here's one way to look at it:

Anything that fits in that design / is handled in C++ will get put back into the base game.

New content + totally new design content is what's in Supernova. The most obvious being the GPT generated content, new battle system, new civs, Terror Stars, cultural progression.

Other things, however, like the new invasion system, can be brought back to the base game.

[SundiataWTF]

When will the patch content be added to basic GalCiv 4?

[Frogboy]

Originally posted by SundiataWTF:

When will the patch content be added to basic GalCiv 4?

It won't. While certain features, like the new invasion system, bug fixes and quality of life improvements (improved UX due to engine updates) will make it into GC4 base on Epic, new content is part of the expansion.

[Frogboy]

There was, for instance, no such thing as GalCiv II. The first release of GalCiv II was called GalCiv II: Dreadlords. Similarly, the first release of GalCiv IV on Steam is GalCIv IV: Supernova.

We may eventually just rebrand it at GalCiv IV Supernova Edition (sort of like there is a Stellaris: Galaxy Edition).

[Buzzerker]

SAME AS O.P. I too am pissed I too see this as FRAUD. It APPEARS to be a case of double dipping and screwing loyal fans of this franchise and it's not right. Looks like the same game to me only the word SUPERNOVA has been added with an altered pic and it's been re-labeled as EARLY ACCESS. What's up with that STARDOCK? What do you mean by it's "LIKE" an expansion for 20 more bucks? So is it an EXPANSION for 20 bucks or is it the same game only updated and now being sold as a different game in early access on a different online marketplace? I think STEAM should look into it because there is something suspicious here. All anyone would have to do is play the game on EPIC and then on STEAM and see for themselves how much of a difference there really is. People will do just that on YOUTUBE, STARDOCK can count on it.

[Frogboy]

Here's a link to a post that discusses this: https://steamcommunity.com/app/1357210/discussions/0/3819658451368464095/

Short answer: GalCiv IV base was never released on Steam. So GalCiv IV + Supernova were integrated together for Steam. On Epic, there is GalCiv IV and GalCIv IV: Supernova where Supernova is $15.99 if you have the base game.

[Buzzerker]

But BOTH are in EARLY ACCESS, I find that interesting.

[Frogboy]

Originally posted by Buzzerker:

But BOTH are in EARLY ACCESS, I find that interesting.

GalCiv IV on Epic is NOT in early access. Supernova is in early access.

And it's in early access because a lot of the stuff in Supernova is coming in pretty hot. For instance, the ChatGPT integration. I'm not aware of any released games that have attempted to do this level of real-time AI integration before.

[Street]

It's some new kind of greed. First you took exclusivity and now you release 1 y.o. game packed with expansion which everyone is forced to buy for a full price, because The Expansion is new, duh. You crawl back, make this stunt and what's next ? Everyone should just give you money and get along with anything that comes up to your mind ? Obviously, the only thing you care for is money. I'm sure your fans, who doesn't use epig store was pretty upset year ago, but now this. I hope you're conscience will return some day.

[Buzzerker]

You pulled out of Early Access on EPIC, your company ADMITS that you used those people to 'TEST' the game concepts, then you call it a wrap, a finished product, ChatGPT comes out you integrate it into the same base game, rename it, then re-enter early access on another platform. Your company then charges those who bought the game in Early Access on EPIC for an 'EXPANSION' when here on STEAM you have only one price and it's in Early Access. In other words sir, this game should not have been considered finished on EPIC if it's not finished on STEAM. STARDOCK is pulling a fast one and you're not as smart as you think you are.

[Frogboy]

I'm not following your line of thought.

Right now, if you go buy GalCiv III, here on Steam, it comes with the Crusade expansion pack as part of it.

If you go and buy GalCiv II, here on Steam, it also comes with the Twilight of the Arnor expansion pack as part of it.

This way, new users aren't nickled and dimed.