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The Civilization Builder is a powerful in-game tool in [[Galactic Civilizations III]] used to design custom factions with unique leaders, abilities, ideologies, and more. It is available with the [[Crusade]] expansion, replacing the [[Faction_designer|Faction designer]] from the base game. | |||
<h1 style="background-color: #000000; color: #e3a726; padding: 2px 6px;"> Launching the Builder </h1> | |||
The Civilization Builder can be accessed two ways: by clicking the “Civilization Builder” button from the main menu, or clicking the “Create Civilization” button in the lower left of the screen when selecting a civilization for a new game. | The Civilization Builder can be accessed two ways: by clicking the “Civilization Builder” button from the main menu, or clicking the “Create Civilization” button in the lower left of the screen when selecting a civilization for a new game. | ||
= | <h1 style="background-color: #000000; color: #e3a726; padding: 2px 6px;"> Overview </h1> | ||
This screen provides the name, description, portraits, and flag of your civilization. | This screen provides the name, description, portraits, and flag of your civilization. | ||
= | <h2 style="background-color: #000000; color: #e3a726; padding: 2px 6px;"> Name </h2> | ||
The full, formal name of your civilization. This is used primarily for diplomacy. The name works best if it is 25 characters or less. Example: “Terran Alliance.” | The full, formal name of your civilization. This is used primarily for diplomacy. The name works best if it is 25 characters or less. Example: “Terran Alliance.” | ||
= | <h2 style="background-color: #000000; color: #e3a726; padding: 2px 6px;"> Short name </h2> | ||
The shortened name of your civilization. This is used primarily for in-game menus, like the [[Power_list|Power list]]. The short name works best as a plural noun that is 11 characters or less. Example: “Terrans.” | The shortened name of your civilization. This is used primarily for in-game menus, like the [[Power_list|Power list]]. The short name works best as a plural noun that is 11 characters or less. Example: “Terrans.” | ||
= | <h2 style="background-color: #000000; color: #e3a726; padding: 2px 6px;"> Ship Callsign </h2> | ||
A prefix assigned to all ship names. The ship callsign works best if it is 8 characters or less. Example: “S.S.S.” | A prefix assigned to all ship names. The ship callsign works best if it is 8 characters or less. Example: “S.S.S.” | ||
= | <h2 style="background-color: #000000; color: #e3a726; padding: 2px 6px;"> Logo </h2> | ||
An image used as the flag for your civilization. The game comes with several to choose from; you can add your own by copying them to the logo folder. The PNG image should have an aspect ratio of 1:1. The recommended resolution is 512x512. The default path to the logo folder is C:\Users\(Your username)\Documents\My Games\GC3Crusade\Factions\Logos | An image used as the flag for your civilization. The game comes with several to choose from; you can add your own by copying them to the logo folder. The PNG image should have an aspect ratio of 1:1. The recommended resolution is 512x512. The default path to the logo folder is C:\Users\(Your username)\Documents\My Games\GC3Crusade\Factions\Logos | ||
= | <h2 style="background-color: #000000; color: #e3a726; padding: 2px 6px;"> Portrait </h2> | ||
An image used to represent your civilization leader in-game. The game comes with several to choose from; you can add your own by copying them to the portrait folder. The PNG image should have an aspect ratio of 1:1. The recommended resolution is 512x512. The default path to the portrait folder is C:\Users\(Your username)\Documents\My Games\GC3Crusade\Factions\Portraits | An image used to represent your civilization leader in-game. The game comes with several to choose from; you can add your own by copying them to the portrait folder. The PNG image should have an aspect ratio of 1:1. The recommended resolution is 512x512. The default path to the portrait folder is C:\Users\(Your username)\Documents\My Games\GC3Crusade\Factions\Portraits | ||
= | <h2 style="background-color: #000000; color: #e3a726; padding: 2px 6px;"> Foreground </h2> | ||
A high-resolution image of your civilization leader used in diplomacy screens. The game comes with several videos and still images to choose from; you can add your own still images by copying them to the foreground folder. The PNG image should have an aspect ratio of 16:9. The recommended resolution is 1920x1080. The default path to the foreground folder is C:\Users\(Your username)\Documents\My Games\GC3Crusade\Factions\LeaderFGs | A high-resolution image of your civilization leader used in diplomacy screens. The game comes with several videos and still images to choose from; you can add your own still images by copying them to the foreground folder. The PNG image should have an aspect ratio of 16:9. The recommended resolution is 1920x1080. The default path to the foreground folder is C:\Users\(Your username)\Documents\My Games\GC3Crusade\Factions\LeaderFGs | ||
= | <h2 style="background-color: #000000; color: #e3a726; padding: 2px 6px;"> Customize Background </h2> | ||
A high-resolution image that appears behind your civilization leader in diplomacy screens. The game comes with several videos and still images to choose from; you can add your own still images by copying them to the background folder. The PNG image should have an aspect ratio of 16:9. The recommended resolution is 1920x1080. The default path to the background folder is C:\Users\(Your username)\Documents\My Games\GC3Crusade\Factions\LeaderBGs | A high-resolution image that appears behind your civilization leader in diplomacy screens. The game comes with several videos and still images to choose from; you can add your own still images by copying them to the background folder. The PNG image should have an aspect ratio of 16:9. The recommended resolution is 1920x1080. The default path to the background folder is C:\Users\(Your username)\Documents\My Games\GC3Crusade\Factions\LeaderBGs | ||
= | <h2 style="background-color: #000000; color: #e3a726; padding: 2px 6px;"> Leader Name </h2> | ||
The name of your civilization leader. The leader name works best if it is 15 characters or less. Example: “DL Bradley.” | The name of your civilization leader. The leader name works best if it is 15 characters or less. Example: “DL Bradley.” | ||
= | <h2 style="background-color: #000000; color: #e3a726; padding: 2px 6px;"> Leader Description </h2> | ||
A brief biography of your civilization leader. | A brief biography of your civilization leader. | ||
= | <h2 style="background-color: #000000; color: #e3a726; padding: 2px 6px;"> Civilization Description </h2> | ||
A brief description of your civilization. This appears in the Choose Civilization screen when creating a new game, and is the default text used to describe your civilization when you upload to the [[Steam_workshop|Steam workshop]]. The civilization description works best as one or two short paragraphs. | A brief description of your civilization. This appears in the Choose Civilization screen when creating a new game, and is the default text used to describe your civilization when you upload to the [[Steam_workshop|Steam workshop]]. The civilization description works best as one or two short paragraphs. | ||
= | <h2 style="background-color: #000000; color: #e3a726; padding: 2px 6px;"> Homeworld Name </h2> | ||
The name of your civilization’s starting planet. The homeworld name works best if it is 19 characters or less. Example: “Earth.” | The name of your civilization’s starting planet. The homeworld name works best if it is 19 characters or less. Example: “Earth.” | ||
= | <h2 style="background-color: #000000; color: #e3a726; padding: 2px 6px;"> Star System </h2> | ||
Choose from 17 starting star systems. | Choose from 17 starting star systems. | ||
= | <h2 style="background-color: #000000; color: #e3a726; padding: 2px 6px;"> Startup Screen </h2> | ||
Customizes the text that appears when you begin a new game. From here, you can give your civilization a one-line slogan, a detailed description, and some tips on playstyle. This is especially helpful for other players who are unfamiliar with your civilization and are playing it for the first time. | Customizes the text that appears when you begin a new game. From here, you can give your civilization a one-line slogan, a detailed description, and some tips on playstyle. This is especially helpful for other players who are unfamiliar with your civilization and are playing it for the first time. | ||
= | <h1 style="background-color: #000000; color: #e3a726; padding: 2px 6px;"> Traits & Abilities </h1> | ||
This screen specializes how your civilization plays. | This screen specializes how your civilization plays. | ||
= | <h2 style="background-color: #000000; color: #e3a726; padding: 2px 6px;"> Civilization Traits </h2> | ||
''Main article: [[Traits]]'' | |||
Statistical modifiers for your civilization. | Statistical modifiers for your civilization. Traits are usually available in four levels – giving a significant strength, a reduced strength, a reduced weakness, or a significant weakness. | ||
= | <h2 style="background-color: #000000; color: #e3a726; padding: 2px 6px;"> Civilization Abilities </h2> | ||
''Main article: [[Abilities]]'' | |||
Each civilization has two special | Each civilization has two special abilities that give them an edge. | ||
= | <h2 style="background-color: #000000; color: #e3a726; padding: 2px 6px;"> Species Type </h2> | ||
Race Type affects what food your race uses& what planets you best adapt to. You have four options to choose from: | Race Type affects what food your race uses& what planets you best adapt to. You have four options to choose from: | ||
''' Carbon Based ''' | |||
Carbon-based species use water and hydrocarbons as the basis of their chemistry. Their populations require farms in order to grow. | Carbon-based species use water and hydrocarbons as the basis of their chemistry. Their populations require farms in order to grow. | ||
''' Synthetic ''' | |||
Synthetics are robotic lifeforms that do not require food to survive and can operate in a variety of environments. Unlike squishy organic species, Synthetics fabricate their populations in special factories. | Synthetics are robotic lifeforms that do not require food to survive and can operate in a variety of environments. Unlike squishy organic species, Synthetics fabricate their populations in special factories. | ||
''' Aquatic ''' | |||
Aquatic species live most of their lives deep in the oceans. They can colonize Water Worlds early game with no penalty and terraform one extra water tile in each Tech Age. | Aquatic species live most of their lives deep in the oceans. They can colonize Water Worlds early game with no penalty and terraform one extra water tile in each Tech Age. | ||
''' Silicon Based ''' | |||
Silicon lifeforms are built from rocks and rare minerals. They have no need for farms as they ingest precious Durantium to grow their populations. | Silicon lifeforms are built from rocks and rare minerals. They have no need for farms as they ingest precious Durantium to grow their populations. | ||
= | <h2 style="background-color: #000000; color: #e3a726; padding: 2px 6px;"> Starting Ships </h2> | ||
Choose what ships you want your civilization to start with. You have five options: | Choose what ships you want your civilization to start with. You have five options: | ||
''' Survey ship ''' | |||
A fast, unarmed ship with powerful sensors and the ability to investigate valuable anomalies. | A fast, unarmed ship with powerful sensors and the ability to investigate valuable anomalies. | ||
''' Colony ship ''' | |||
An unarmed ship capable of colonizing neutral planets. | An unarmed ship capable of colonizing neutral planets. | ||
''' Constructors ''' | |||
Two unarmed ships capable of creating starbases. | Two unarmed ships capable of creating starbases. | ||
''' Scouts ''' | |||
Three tiny ships used to rapidly explore the galaxy. | Three tiny ships used to rapidly explore the galaxy. | ||
''' Furies ''' | |||
Two small warships armed with experimental weapons and defense systems. | Two small warships armed with experimental weapons and defense systems. | ||
= Appearance | <h1 style="background-color: #000000; color: #e3a726; padding: 2px 6px;"> Appearance </h1> | ||
This screen changes the look of your civilization's ships and what colors they use in-game. | This screen changes the look of your civilization's ships and what colors they use in-game. | ||
= | <h2 style="background-color: #000000; color: #e3a726; padding: 2px 6px;"> Interface Theme </h2> | ||
Choose from 14 themes that customize the look of the user interface when playing as this civilization. | Choose from 14 themes that customize the look of the user interface when playing as this civilization. | ||
= | <h2 style="background-color: #000000; color: #e3a726; padding: 2px 6px;"> Map Theme </h2> | ||
Choose from 32 themes that customize the color of your civilization's borders. | Choose from 32 themes that customize the color of your civilization's borders. | ||
= | <h2 style="background-color: #000000; color: #e3a726; padding: 2px 6px;"> Ship Colors </h2> | ||
Choose from 77 themes that customize the colors used by your civilization's ships. | Choose from 77 themes that customize the colors used by your civilization's ships. | ||
= | <h2 style="background-color: #000000; color: #e3a726; padding: 2px 6px;"> Texture and Materials </h2> | ||
Fine-tune the appearance of your civilization's ships by adjusting the patterns, textures, and materials used in their construction. This can significantly impact the overall look of a fleet; two ships with the same design and color can look very different if the textures and materials used vary. | Fine-tune the appearance of your civilization's ships by adjusting the patterns, textures, and materials used in their construction. This can significantly impact the overall look of a fleet; two ships with the same design and color can look very different if the textures and materials used vary. | ||
= | <h1 style="background-color: #000000; color: #e3a726; padding: 2px 6px;"> Fleets </h1> | ||
This screen customizes your fleet style. | This screen customizes your fleet style. | ||
= | <h2 style="background-color: #000000; color: #e3a726; padding: 2px 6px;"> Fleet Styles </h2> | ||
A Fleet style is a set of ship and starbase templates that appear in build menus while playing as a certain civilization. Every civilization has a Fleet Style. You can load Fleet Styles - complete with unique ship designs - to and from the Steam workshop. | A Fleet style is a set of ship and starbase templates that appear in build menus while playing as a certain civilization. Every civilization has a Fleet Style. You can load Fleet Styles - complete with unique ship designs - to and from the Steam workshop. | ||
= | <h2 style="background-color: #000000; color: #e3a726; padding: 2px 6px;"> Classes and Templates </h2> | ||
A full Fleet Style assigns a ship template to all ship/starbase classes in the game. The left column lists each | A full Fleet Style assigns a ship template to all ship/starbase classes in the game. The left column lists each class. Click on a class, and a list of all available templates for it appears in the center column. When you select a template, a preview of the ship will appear on the right. You can filter the templates using a dropdown at the top of the screen. | ||
= | <h1 style="background-color: #000000; color: #e3a726; padding: 2px 6px;"> Personality </h1> | ||
This screen customizes the way this civilization behaves when being controlled by the AI, as well as the names and appearance of [[Citizens|citizens]]. | This screen customizes the way this civilization behaves when being controlled by the AI, as well as the names and appearance of [[Citizens|citizens]]. | ||
= | <h2 style="background-color: #000000; color: #e3a726; padding: 2px 6px;"> Ideology </h2> | ||
''Main article: [[Ideology|Ideology]]'' | |||
Determines if the civilization primarily follows the Benevolent, Pragmatic, or Malevolent [[Ideology|ideologies]]. | Determines if the civilization primarily follows the Benevolent, Pragmatic, or Malevolent [[Ideology|ideologies]]. | ||
= | <h2 style="background-color: #000000; color: #e3a726; padding: 2px 6px;"> Character Traits </h2> | ||
Choose from 12 character traits that impact how the AI plays this civilization. You can toggle some, all, or none of the traits. | Choose from 12 character traits that impact how the AI plays this civilization. You can toggle some, all, or none of the traits. | ||
''' Aggressive ''' | |||
More likely to take extreme action in response to diplomatic slights. | More likely to take extreme action in response to diplomatic slights. | ||
''' Peaceful ''' | |||
More likely to select a moderate response to diplomatic slights; and emphasize things in common to promote harmony. | More likely to select a moderate response to diplomatic slights; and emphasize things in common to promote harmony. | ||
''' Cruel ''' | |||
Tendency to pick on weaker players, and cares less about cultural animosity. | Tendency to pick on weaker players, and cares less about cultural animosity. | ||
''' Expansionist ''' | |||
Prioritizes | Prioritizes opportunities to expand their empire. | ||
''' Greedy ''' | |||
Prioritizes opportunities to increase their treasury by any means. | Prioritizes opportunities to increase their treasury by any means. | ||
''' Opportunistic ''' | |||
Values chances to come out ahead in any situation. | Values chances to come out ahead in any situation. | ||
''' Scientific ''' | |||
Prioritizes technology research and trade. | Prioritizes technology research and trade. | ||
''' Diplomatic ''' | |||
Prioritizes effectiveness in diplomatic communication. | Prioritizes effectiveness in diplomatic communication. | ||
''' Cultural ''' | |||
Values things that increase their influence in the galaxy. | |||
''' Spiritual ''' | |||
Places increased importance on | Places increased importance on ideological choices. | ||
''' Trader ''' | |||
Seeks opportunities for peaceful trade. | Seeks opportunities for peaceful trade. | ||
''' Xenophobic ''' | |||
More distrustful of all civilizations. | More distrustful of all civilizations. | ||
= | <h2 style="background-color: #000000; color: #e3a726; padding: 2px 6px;"> Priorities </h2> | ||
Arrange a set of 9 priorities in order of their importance to this civilization, with 1st being the highest priority and 9th considered unimportant. | Arrange a set of 9 priorities in order of their importance to this civilization, with 1st being the highest priority and 9th considered unimportant. | ||
''' Diplomacy ''' | |||
Non-war interactions with other civilizations and the United Planets. Diplomatic civilizations will build long-term alliances and seek mutually beneficial trades. | Non-war interactions with other civilizations and the United Planets. Diplomatic civilizations will build long-term alliances and seek mutually beneficial trades. | ||
''' Expansion ''' | |||
Colonization effectiveness. Expansionist civilizations will build colony ships early and spread to as many neutral planets as possible. | Colonization effectiveness. Expansionist civilizations will build colony ships early and spread to as many neutral planets as possible. | ||
''' Fortification ''' | |||
Protection of existing assets. Fortifying civilizations will build defensive starbases and station legions on key worlds. | Protection of existing assets. Fortifying civilizations will build defensive starbases and station legions on key worlds. | ||
''' Growth ''' | |||
Population growth of colonies. Growth-focused civilizations will take advantage of cities, farms, citizens, | Population growth of colonies. Growth-focused civilizations will take advantage of cities, farms, citizens, and technologies that allow them to rapidly increase the population on their worlds. | ||
''' Influence ''' | |||
Expansion of zone of control and cultural takeover. Influential civilizations will use cultural buildings, citizens, | Expansion of zone of control and cultural takeover. Influential civilizations will use cultural buildings, citizens, and strategically-placed starbases with culture rings to expand their reach. | ||
''' Logistics ''' | |||
Size of fleets that can be assembled. Logistical civilizations will seek technologies that allow them to amass large fleets. | Size of fleets that can be assembled. Logistical civilizations will seek technologies that allow them to amass large fleets. | ||
''' Ship Construction ''' | |||
Ship armaments | Ship armaments ;and planetary defense. Constructive civilizations will seek technologies that improve the weapons and defensive systems of their ships, and build to defend their planets from invading fleets. | ||
''' Tech ''' | |||
Research effectiveness and prioritization. Technological civilizations will use scientific buildings and citizens to maximize their progression through the tech tree. | Research effectiveness and prioritization. Technological civilizations will use scientific buildings and citizens to maximize their progression through the tech tree. | ||
''' Wealth ''' | |||
Credits accumulation from various sources. Wealthy civilizations will use buildings, citizens, trade routes, and diplomacy to increase their income. | Credits accumulation from various sources. Wealthy civilizations will use buildings, citizens, trade routes, and diplomacy to increase their income. | ||
= | <h2 style="background-color: #000000; color: #e3a726; padding: 2px 6px;"> Citizen Names and Portraits </h2> | ||
Change the names and apperance of this civilization's [[Citizens|citizens]]. Click the "Edit Names XML" button to edit a list of first and last names for your citizens. | Change the names and apperance of this civilization's [[Citizens|citizens]]. Click the "Edit Names XML" button to edit a list of first and last names for your citizens. | ||
Click the "Choose Portraits" button to bring up a screen for selecting the images for your citizens. The game comes with several to choose from; you can add your own still images by copying them to the citizen portrait folder. The PNG image should have an aspect ratio of 1:1. The recommended resolution is 128x128. The default path to the citizen portrait folder is C:\Users\(Your username)\Documents\My Games\GC3Crusade\Factions\CitizenPortraits | Click the "Choose Portraits" button to bring up a screen for selecting the images for your citizens. The game comes with several to choose from; you can add your own still images by copying them to the citizen portrait folder. The PNG image should have an aspect ratio of 1:1. The recommended resolution is 128x128. The default path to the citizen portrait folder is C:\Users\(Your username)\Documents\My Games\GC3Crusade\Factions\CitizenPortraits | ||
To add a portrait, select it and click the "Add Male" or "Add Female" buttons at the bottom of the screen. To see which portraits you have already added, click the My Portraits tab at the top of the screen. | To add a portrait, select it and click the "Add Male" or "Add Female" buttons at the bottom of the screen. To see which portraits you have already added, click the My Portraits tab at the top of the screen. | ||
When a new citizen is generated, the game will randomly assign a gender-appropriate first name, last name, and portrait to it. | When a new citizen is generated, the game will randomly assign a gender-appropriate first name, last name, and portrait to it. | ||
= | <h2 style="background-color: #000000; color: #e3a726; padding: 2px 6px;"> Customize Flavor Text </h2> | ||
Customize the dialogue the civilization uses in interactions with the player. The builder offers editing access to five topics: First Contact, Declare War, Request Peace, Warn Military Buildup, and Help Friendly Player. For even greater customization, click "Edit Full XML" at the bottom of the screen. | Customize the dialogue the civilization uses in interactions with the player. The builder offers editing access to five topics: First Contact, Declare War, Request Peace, Warn Military Buildup, and Help Friendly Player. For even greater customization, click "Edit Full XML" at the bottom of the screen. | ||
Latest revision as of 16:28, 8 January 2024
The Civilization Builder is a powerful in-game tool in Galactic Civilizations III used to design custom factions with unique leaders, abilities, ideologies, and more. It is available with the Crusade expansion, replacing the Faction designer from the base game.
Launching the Builder
The Civilization Builder can be accessed two ways: by clicking the “Civilization Builder” button from the main menu, or clicking the “Create Civilization” button in the lower left of the screen when selecting a civilization for a new game.
Overview
This screen provides the name, description, portraits, and flag of your civilization.
Name
The full, formal name of your civilization. This is used primarily for diplomacy. The name works best if it is 25 characters or less. Example: “Terran Alliance.”
Short name
The shortened name of your civilization. This is used primarily for in-game menus, like the Power list. The short name works best as a plural noun that is 11 characters or less. Example: “Terrans.”
Ship Callsign
A prefix assigned to all ship names. The ship callsign works best if it is 8 characters or less. Example: “S.S.S.”
Logo
An image used as the flag for your civilization. The game comes with several to choose from; you can add your own by copying them to the logo folder. The PNG image should have an aspect ratio of 1:1. The recommended resolution is 512x512. The default path to the logo folder is C:\Users\(Your username)\Documents\My Games\GC3Crusade\Factions\Logos
Portrait
An image used to represent your civilization leader in-game. The game comes with several to choose from; you can add your own by copying them to the portrait folder. The PNG image should have an aspect ratio of 1:1. The recommended resolution is 512x512. The default path to the portrait folder is C:\Users\(Your username)\Documents\My Games\GC3Crusade\Factions\Portraits
Foreground
A high-resolution image of your civilization leader used in diplomacy screens. The game comes with several videos and still images to choose from; you can add your own still images by copying them to the foreground folder. The PNG image should have an aspect ratio of 16:9. The recommended resolution is 1920x1080. The default path to the foreground folder is C:\Users\(Your username)\Documents\My Games\GC3Crusade\Factions\LeaderFGs
Customize Background
A high-resolution image that appears behind your civilization leader in diplomacy screens. The game comes with several videos and still images to choose from; you can add your own still images by copying them to the background folder. The PNG image should have an aspect ratio of 16:9. The recommended resolution is 1920x1080. The default path to the background folder is C:\Users\(Your username)\Documents\My Games\GC3Crusade\Factions\LeaderBGs
Leader Name
The name of your civilization leader. The leader name works best if it is 15 characters or less. Example: “DL Bradley.”
Leader Description
A brief biography of your civilization leader.
Civilization Description
A brief description of your civilization. This appears in the Choose Civilization screen when creating a new game, and is the default text used to describe your civilization when you upload to the Steam workshop. The civilization description works best as one or two short paragraphs.
Homeworld Name
The name of your civilization’s starting planet. The homeworld name works best if it is 19 characters or less. Example: “Earth.”
Star System
Choose from 17 starting star systems.
Startup Screen
Customizes the text that appears when you begin a new game. From here, you can give your civilization a one-line slogan, a detailed description, and some tips on playstyle. This is especially helpful for other players who are unfamiliar with your civilization and are playing it for the first time.
Traits & Abilities
This screen specializes how your civilization plays.
Civilization Traits
Main article: Traits
Statistical modifiers for your civilization. Traits are usually available in four levels – giving a significant strength, a reduced strength, a reduced weakness, or a significant weakness.
Civilization Abilities
Main article: Abilities
Each civilization has two special abilities that give them an edge.
Species Type
Race Type affects what food your race uses& what planets you best adapt to. You have four options to choose from:
Carbon Based
Carbon-based species use water and hydrocarbons as the basis of their chemistry. Their populations require farms in order to grow.
Synthetic
Synthetics are robotic lifeforms that do not require food to survive and can operate in a variety of environments. Unlike squishy organic species, Synthetics fabricate their populations in special factories.
Aquatic
Aquatic species live most of their lives deep in the oceans. They can colonize Water Worlds early game with no penalty and terraform one extra water tile in each Tech Age.
Silicon Based
Silicon lifeforms are built from rocks and rare minerals. They have no need for farms as they ingest precious Durantium to grow their populations.
Starting Ships
Choose what ships you want your civilization to start with. You have five options:
Survey ship
A fast, unarmed ship with powerful sensors and the ability to investigate valuable anomalies.
Colony ship
An unarmed ship capable of colonizing neutral planets.
Constructors
Two unarmed ships capable of creating starbases.
Scouts
Three tiny ships used to rapidly explore the galaxy.
Furies
Two small warships armed with experimental weapons and defense systems.
Appearance
This screen changes the look of your civilization's ships and what colors they use in-game.
Interface Theme
Choose from 14 themes that customize the look of the user interface when playing as this civilization.
Map Theme
Choose from 32 themes that customize the color of your civilization's borders.
Ship Colors
Choose from 77 themes that customize the colors used by your civilization's ships.
Texture and Materials
Fine-tune the appearance of your civilization's ships by adjusting the patterns, textures, and materials used in their construction. This can significantly impact the overall look of a fleet; two ships with the same design and color can look very different if the textures and materials used vary.
Fleets
This screen customizes your fleet style.
Fleet Styles
A Fleet style is a set of ship and starbase templates that appear in build menus while playing as a certain civilization. Every civilization has a Fleet Style. You can load Fleet Styles - complete with unique ship designs - to and from the Steam workshop.
Classes and Templates
A full Fleet Style assigns a ship template to all ship/starbase classes in the game. The left column lists each class. Click on a class, and a list of all available templates for it appears in the center column. When you select a template, a preview of the ship will appear on the right. You can filter the templates using a dropdown at the top of the screen.
Personality
This screen customizes the way this civilization behaves when being controlled by the AI, as well as the names and appearance of citizens.
Ideology
Main article: Ideology
Determines if the civilization primarily follows the Benevolent, Pragmatic, or Malevolent ideologies.
Character Traits
Choose from 12 character traits that impact how the AI plays this civilization. You can toggle some, all, or none of the traits.
Aggressive
More likely to take extreme action in response to diplomatic slights.
Peaceful
More likely to select a moderate response to diplomatic slights; and emphasize things in common to promote harmony.
Cruel
Tendency to pick on weaker players, and cares less about cultural animosity.
Expansionist
Prioritizes opportunities to expand their empire.
Greedy
Prioritizes opportunities to increase their treasury by any means.
Opportunistic
Values chances to come out ahead in any situation.
Scientific
Prioritizes technology research and trade.
Diplomatic
Prioritizes effectiveness in diplomatic communication.
Cultural
Values things that increase their influence in the galaxy.
Spiritual
Places increased importance on ideological choices.
Trader
Seeks opportunities for peaceful trade.
Xenophobic
More distrustful of all civilizations.
Priorities
Arrange a set of 9 priorities in order of their importance to this civilization, with 1st being the highest priority and 9th considered unimportant.
Diplomacy
Non-war interactions with other civilizations and the United Planets. Diplomatic civilizations will build long-term alliances and seek mutually beneficial trades.
Expansion
Colonization effectiveness. Expansionist civilizations will build colony ships early and spread to as many neutral planets as possible.
Fortification
Protection of existing assets. Fortifying civilizations will build defensive starbases and station legions on key worlds.
Growth
Population growth of colonies. Growth-focused civilizations will take advantage of cities, farms, citizens, and technologies that allow them to rapidly increase the population on their worlds.
Influence
Expansion of zone of control and cultural takeover. Influential civilizations will use cultural buildings, citizens, and strategically-placed starbases with culture rings to expand their reach.
Logistics
Size of fleets that can be assembled. Logistical civilizations will seek technologies that allow them to amass large fleets.
Ship Construction
Ship armaments ;and planetary defense. Constructive civilizations will seek technologies that improve the weapons and defensive systems of their ships, and build to defend their planets from invading fleets.
Tech
Research effectiveness and prioritization. Technological civilizations will use scientific buildings and citizens to maximize their progression through the tech tree.
Wealth
Credits accumulation from various sources. Wealthy civilizations will use buildings, citizens, trade routes, and diplomacy to increase their income.
Citizen Names and Portraits
Change the names and apperance of this civilization's citizens. Click the "Edit Names XML" button to edit a list of first and last names for your citizens.
Click the "Choose Portraits" button to bring up a screen for selecting the images for your citizens. The game comes with several to choose from; you can add your own still images by copying them to the citizen portrait folder. The PNG image should have an aspect ratio of 1:1. The recommended resolution is 128x128. The default path to the citizen portrait folder is C:\Users\(Your username)\Documents\My Games\GC3Crusade\Factions\CitizenPortraits
To add a portrait, select it and click the "Add Male" or "Add Female" buttons at the bottom of the screen. To see which portraits you have already added, click the My Portraits tab at the top of the screen.
When a new citizen is generated, the game will randomly assign a gender-appropriate first name, last name, and portrait to it.
Customize Flavor Text
Customize the dialogue the civilization uses in interactions with the player. The builder offers editing access to five topics: First Contact, Declare War, Request Peace, Warn Military Buildup, and Help Friendly Player. For even greater customization, click "Edit Full XML" at the bottom of the screen.