[Question] Can people without DLC ownership still see the parts?

from GalCiv3 Forums

I'll keep this simple, which is unlike me...

Say a shipset contained pieces from the Founder Parts, or the Mega Events Pack (which I just got, though I'll miss using the old mega events without risk of OP robot invasion) then someone without one or more of the DLCs used got the set, or heck, simply saw a ship with the parts online, could they see and use it?

I really want to use DLC parts in one of my shipsets, but I don't want people to see holes, or the ships not showing or something.

Gauntlet03 used some founder parts in his shipsets, I haven't heard of anyone running into problems but I've also heard nothing of the Mega Events parts doing well OR running into problems.

In short: Will using DLC parts in ships non-DLC-owners download cause any notable problems?

I don't mind them not being able to use them in their own custom designs though.

I know this kind of thread has come up before, I've seen them, but they usually end before any definitive answer is given, and hopefully this actually answers it. I'm also copying it for the likely event of it getting taken down.

25,751 views 6 replies
Reply #1 from GalCiv3 Forums Top

In multiplay if the host has the Dlc's then everyone playing will have them unlocked for the current game.

Reply #2 from GalCiv3 Forums Top

If you are uploading your shipset to the Steam workshop, the only weapons/special parts that I have found to work are the small selection in the small ship Terran section. The workshop seems to strips all the special/miscellaneous parts that Gauntlet used in his mod.

 

Galactic Civilizations IV
Reply #3 from GalCiv3 Forums Top

Thanks guys.

Well, I don't think I'll be using the DLC parts then, seems I have quite a few parts only my personal designs will be using.

 

I wish it wasn't this way but I can't imagine Stardock even has a solution that isn't randomly giving away the DLC parts which would be silly.

I'll try not to include them in shipsets because I don't want some players to see gaps when using them in their own games, even if some players have no difference since they own the DLC.

Reply #4 from GalCiv3 Forums Top

Quoting Franco,
The workshop seems to strips all the special/miscellaneous parts

Wonder why they did it that way? Wouldn't it make more business sense to allow extra parts to be uploaded but not showing them if the downloader hasn't got the parts? Stripping extra parts gives the uploader an incentive to only use the standard parts whereas showing only purchased parts gives the downloader an incentinve to purchase the DLC...

Reply #5 from GalCiv3 Forums Top

I don't know why they are doing it that way or how it involves the DLC parts. When they first opened the workshop to opt in, everything showed up in the upload. Now, any mass based part or custom part is stripped. Anything you upload is just a template. It makes some sense on one hand but it is limiting. All designs have to be equipped and that is often going to make the finished product look a lot different, and of less value to anyone that doesn't like to use the ship designer.

Instead of providing a design that is fully armed and equipped for battle, it is just a hull.

Reply #6 from GalCiv3 Forums Top

It is a little weird for ships given to non-DLC-owners to just be, essentially, templates with gaps in them.

 

Personally I think the best way would be for mods (via direct downloads or as user content from the Workshop) to have all parts visible. From weapons like Franco said, to actual content packs like Petri mentioned. I don't think they shouldn't show up, I think they should be there for everyone. The DLC parts are awesome, with the cockpits added by Founder and Registration packs being more visually appealing than half the things already in the game.

I believe the all-around best solution would be to have them show up for all players, but people without the DLC can't move, scale or place the parts if they try and edit a ship that uses DLC parts. That way mod authors could make any design they want without that annoying "how do I balance aesthetics with usability" thought.

It would even give players without a DLC a chance to see the parts themselves without browsing for screenshots, and the fact they can see but not personally use DLC parts would give them a HUGE incentive to buy.

More sales for Stardock, more freedom for modders, more attention for Workshop creators, more ships for everyone.

 

I'm not going to pretend they're going to update how DLC parts are shown, and I'll try to say the least bitterly I can that they're probably too busy with a new paid DLC in the works anyway, but it would be nice. However I adore the game, and I should just be thankful that I can make 3D spaceships and fictional races in a matter of minutes thanks to Stardock's hard work.