Giants V1.5 || Fullscreen fix, Mouse fix, Multiplayer, Misc.

Installation & Techsupport for the Unofficial V1.5 Community Patch for Giants: Citizen Kabuto.
This patch will fix most known issues with the game. It is an upgrade of the long standing V1.497 Patch.

• Fixes resolution and full screen issues.
  
• Enables Multiplayer.
  
• Fixes mouse issues.
  
• DX9 Support.
  
• Graphical enhancements.
  
• A ton of bug fixes.
  
• Re-balancing.

Don't forget to rate my guide if it has helped you!

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Download & Information

[PL] Guide

Here's a link that will always point to the most current update of the patch: https://hipstercat.fr/GPatch

Alternatively, get the base V1.500 patch at GiantsWD Downloads[www.giantswd.org] and use the automatic update function to upgrade to the most current release.

The patch is still being updated regularly. Make sure you use the launcher exe that comes with the patch instead of steam to launch the game. Also make sure you check the options in the launcher to see if automatic updating is checked!

Navigate the forums to find information about the patch and its creation or visit the GCK Community Discord[discord.gg]

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Installation

• Make sure you have at least Windows 7 installed and that it has been updated to the latest version.
  
• Make sure you have not modified your gamefiles in any way before installing the patch. Do a clean installation of the game if you are unsure which files, if any, you modified.
  
• Check if the patch installer wants to install the files in the correct location!

 C:\Program Files (x86)\GOG Galaxy\Games\Giants - Citizen Kabuto
 C:\Program Files (x86)\GOG .com\Games\Giants - Citizen Kabuto
 C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\Giants Citizen Kabuto

• If you get an error, check if [.NET Framework 4.7.2] is installed. Check Microsoft websites for help.
  
• Some Antivirus might not like the patch. Mark the file as safe, let it get scanned or disable your antivirus.

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After Installation

• Make a shortcut to desktop of Giants.exe in your Giants game folder. Use this new shortcut to launch the game from to use the new launcher. This will ensure automatic updating.
  
• To be able to download maps from a server, make sure that your user account has write permissions to the game folder (specifically the Bin\Worlds folder). Alternatively you can move it to a directory that doesn't have limited write permissions. If you are unable to do this, running the game in Administrator mode should circumvent this issue.
  
• You may need to install/reactivate the Windows Legacy DirectPlay program.
  https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1391376189

This should cover most situations. For any further questions, join the community discord here:
GCK Discord[discord.gg]

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How to join a game.

After you've followed all relevant steps in the guide above.
Launch the game and select Join Multiplayer Game from the menu. Then click Search Internet and LAN for Games. If you have done everything correctly, you will see our servers. In bottom right corner of the screen it should display your current version

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Connection issues

If nothing else worked and you still can't see the server list, try connecting through a VPN. We've had people from the UK who couldn't connect having Virgin Media as their ISP, for instance. Here's a free, sufficient one:
https://windscribe.com/

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Before Hosting

You are required to have port 19711 UDP forwarded. Consult your Router manual or google how to do this. This is different for every model/type/provider.

Here is a list of commands you can use on your server:
https://www.giantswd.org/?file=9

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Non Dedicated Server

Launch the game normally. Select Host Multiplayer Game. This will open up the server menu for you.
In the column to the right you will be able to change the server name, gametype, map and a selection of other settings.

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Dedicated Server

First and foremost, to host a dedicated server & play on it at the same time, you will need a second machine running the server. Run dedicated.exe found in your \Giants installation folder. Opening it will prompt you with a setup screen. here you can preset the maps, weapons,buildings available, etc.

After you have made your preset for the server, save it. Make sure you save the .gdf file in the \Bin folder of the game. Also make sure that the game itself has been installed correctly. (Check if the registery entries are pointing to the correct location). The location will depend on what version (i.e. Steam, Gog, Disks) you are using.

You can then Launch via the dedicated.exe app that you should still have open at this time. This will open a usually green colored window. Your server should now be running and visible to all people.

It is important that the server window is open and on the foreground of any other programs at all times. The server will become invisible otherwise, and people already playing will freeze and disconnect. This is also why you need to have it running on a seperate machine from the one you play on.

Now launch the game on your second machine, and join your own server. You can press the F1 button on your server machine to prompt the ingame option menu and change settings.

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Mouse speed/Fps fix
Some people experience issues with their mouse movement. This is likely caused by extreme variations in the FPS. Open the chatbar ingame by pressing T and fype fr to display your framerate. If it goes crazy while looking around you will need to put a hard limit on your FPS.

If you are using the new launcher that comes with the patch. (Launching the game directly from the .exe instead of Steam). Enabling VSync should stop your mouse from glitching.

Alternatively, you can force the game to run at a certain framerate.
Find the launcher executable -> right click -> properties -> shortcut. Find the "target" box and add -framelimit 60 (or any preferred number). Launch the game and check if the issue has been resolved.

Example:

"C:\Program Files (x86)\GOG Galaxy\Games\Giants - Citizen Kabuto\Giants.exe" -framelimit 60

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Giants Registery Fix
Consult other members if you are unsure what to do.
Giants Registery Fix[github.com]

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PC Gaming WIki
Detailed technical specifications and information.
GCK Wiki[pcgamingwiki.com]

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Can I have other patches installed alongside V1.5?
No. V1.5 is all you need now. You can safely update any previous version. Make sure you have not added any modified files to the game before you update!

I'm reading conflicting messages about a V1.497 patch, what is this?
V1.497 is an older patch used for over a decade to be able to play online. Because this is such an ancient version, there will be older posts and guides online that are not being update anymore and will forever point to an older version of the game. If you find any, tell us so we can see if we can edit it or find the original author!

Which version of the game should I get? Steam? GOG? CD?
It doesn't matter which version you use. All Giants versions can safely be updated to V1.5

Are there any mods/modding attempts for the game?
Yes and no. Some community members are able to mod specific aspects of the game to create a different experience of the game, like an AI boss or Instakill gamemodes.
To change any of the core game mechanics, you would need the sourcode, the experience and the tools to work with it. Aside from a few people being able to create patches they cannot share these tools because of copyright protection. Giants is not abandonware.

The servers are empty, where are all the players?
Don't expect the servers to be full 24/7 in a game this old! It is normal for them to be empty; here you have to announce that you want to play and gather other players.
Nobody is going to sit and wait on the servers for someone to join. Getting people to play with you requires a pro-active stance and some effort from your side. Joing Discord to find players more easily GCK Community Discord[discord.gg]

When do people usually play?
Most games happen in evening hours CEST, on the weekends we might start earlier.

I joined the game, but I don't know what is going on when people are playing! How can I tell?
Ask. It is that simple. Nobody is going to get angry at you for being new and unexperienced, we were all there once.
All gamemodes have their unique gameplay and depending on who is playing, some rules may have been set in place, like nobody raids bases during Team Deathmatch mode. You can see which gamemode is being played when you join a server. Alternatively, you can press F1 ingame.

This is too hard, I can't get a hit and get killed in seconds! How do you guys do it?
Again, make known you are new to this and ask others for help. Most players, especially the veterans, are willing to tone it down a little or switch to a different gamemode.
However, when you join an already ongoing and established game, let it run its course and wait for the next round before you ask anyone to stop.
We offer training and tips and there are also materials available out there like text tutorials on the GiantsWD Forums[giantswd.org] or our gameplay videos on YouTube.
You won't be a pro instantly but practice is key, as with everything.

[Cutter]

Thank you!!

[Tig]

@Supersquirrel06

I replied to your post in the general discussion forums:
https://steamcommunity.com/app/557750/discussions/0/3196991412361778763/

[Supersquirrel06]

I can only see a quarter of my screen when I set my resolution to 1920 x 1080, when I try and change it to anything else it breaks and attempts to load textures every time I click on the window, then minimizes the window before finishing restoring the textures.

[mytri]

Yeah i got it. Just run launcher after start game xD

[Tig]

@mytri, unfortunately Steam doesn't recognise the patch as official, since it's a community patch/mod. It is the only way to extend the lifetime of Giants on modern machines and the only way to play Multiplayer.

[mytri]

With that patch steam doesn't count time