Answers to questions about the Metaverse

how scoring works and more

from GalCiv2 Forums

Metaverse Question # 1: How does scoring work?

    The general forumula is SumOfDepreciatedScores / NumberOfGames^4

    Scores deprecate by 5% every 30 days with the maximum depreciate being 65% at 290 days or more.

Metaverse Question # 2: What is the status of the score re-calculation?
 
     Rankings are updated twice a day and a player's score is updated when a new game is submitted.  There was a bug that caused some scores to fail in the middle of updating, but that is being fixed.
 
Metaverse Question # 3:  Error 12 (serial does not match) - what is this and how can I fix it? 
 
     This is generally caused after updating or a re-install.  You probably mistyped your serial number, or left out a character, etc.  You won't be able to fix the save game, unfortunately, and I can't submit games or scores for you.
 
Metaverse Question # 4:  Error 16 (Please try again later) - Huh? I'm connected to the internet, I have the Skip Internet Check option ON, my anti-virus/security program/firewall is configured to allow GC2 to submit to the metaverse and I keep getting this error.  What gives?!
 
    This is a general error returned by the metaverse that GC2 doesn't recognize and doesn't know how to handle.  These errors were supposed to be logged so that they could be fixed, but a few of them were overlooked.   The guys who handle the web end of the metaverse have added additional logging code and will be monitoring the logs to try and fix these errors.  If, after repeated attempts, you can't submit the game, go into My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2 and rename the Endgamesave.sav file.  You can also create another subfolder and move end game saves there, and the load game dialog will still be able to load them.  This will let you try again later without worrying about overwriting your game.
  
Metaverse Question # 5: What causes the cheating flag to be tripped?
 
    Modifying data or finishing the game in 12 turns or less, even if you used legitimate means to finish the game.  Also, if you somehow end up with negative ability bonus points when customizing your race, that will set the cheating flag if you start the game with that race.  For 1.3 (starting with the third beta) I am adding a message box to warn if you have an invalid race config so that you can fix it before starting a game that will be flagged as invalid. Also, if we change the metaverse data for the races or the starting abilities, you will get this warning if you are using the old data.  If you are warned that you have an invalid race config, use the Clear button to reset to the default race configuration, and then make whatever changes you want.

Metaverse Question # 6: Why can't I use mods with the metaverse?
 
    Because mods can give you an unfair advantage over people submitting without mods, and not everyone wants to use mods. Anything we did to try to equalize a game using mods in the metaverse would just make more people unhappy. Also, mods can have unexpected effects on the code, because they ARE modifications.  For example, in GC1/AP, someone made a custom map with over 1000 planets and it caused the game to crash as soon as the 1000th (or higher) planet was colonized, because the max number of colonies was 1000.  It was a bug, but it wasn't one that would have shown up in an unmodded game, which always had far less than 1000 planets.
 
   If you want to compete with mods, talk to one of the fansites' webmasters about setting up a contest where everyone uses the same mods and agrees to play under set conditions.  Then you can post the results and discuss your different strategies. 

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Reply #2 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
SumOfDepreciatedScores / NumberOfGames^4 seems to mean that scores drop dramatically the more games you play. Say that you play a game and score 5000 points. Your overall score would be 5000/(1^4), or 5000. If you then got another score of 5000, your score would become 10000/(2^4)=625


Do you mean (SumOfDepreciatedScores / NumberOfGames)^4 or
SumOfDepreciatedScores / NumberOfGames*4?
Groupy 2 - Organize multiple applications into grouped tabs on your Windows desktop
Reply #3 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
I agree with Kaz, that formula doesn't look right. 100^4 is 100,000,000. So playing 100 games with a score of 1,000,000 each would give you a Metaverse score of 1. (Sum/NumberOfGames)^4 doesn't look right either, since that's just your average score raised to the fourth power.
Reply #4 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
I hope they are not finished yet because not only were the 1.1 beta scores not recalculated the other betas that were originally recalaculated are back to their original scores. Some players that haven't played in months had their scores increase by about 50%. Check out vigilante and mayito888's scores. They are prime examples.
Reply #5 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
The general forumula is SumOfDepreciatedScores / NumberOfGames^4


Thanks for the info Cari!

Do you have to play a certain number of games for this formula to work?

If you take the very useful 5% depreciation into account the total nuber of points I have after 15 games is 120742. My Metaverse score is 60371 - exactly 50% of my total number of depreciated points. I just can't seem to juggle the numbers to get them to work with your formula.

Can you perhaps give us an example of how your formula works?

Thank you once again!





Reply #6 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
What sort of modifying data counts as modifying data for purposes of the Cheating Flag?

For instance, if you add new hull types to GC2Types.xml, does that trip the Cheating Flag? Even if the types in question have the same stats (hit points, costs, base speed, etc.) as the other hulls?
Reply #7 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Mods that only affect the UI should be allowed. Is that being considered ?
Reply #8 from GalCiv2 Forums Top

Ray, no, it doesn't analyze any changes in data, it just detects the changes, so adding hulls would set the cheater flag.

gallagher118, it won't set the cheater flag if you modify the UI in the GalCiv2 folder, but it does not work in the Mods folder. Also, the next time you update, it could overwrite your changes if we've updated that dxpack.

As to whether we would implement it for the mods folder in the future, it will depend on the interest in modding.   I would say it won't happen for 1.3, as it is going to be mainly bug fixes and AI improvements.

  

Reply #9 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Aw, crud. Still, thanks for answering me so quickly -- I definitely wanted to know the answer before I started my next game!

Time to go restore the original .XML file in my Metaverse folder now!
Reply #10 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Would really like to understand that formula. Can you please provide an example calculation. Thanks.
Reply #11 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Heheh, well I can tell you this, game 56 was a bummer. I dropped about 40K.

If I was really really bored I would look at this but you know whats really super... that the head developer stardockian actually answered alot of our questions.

W/R
Suralle Straykat
Kat Lord @ Large
Reply #13 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Happy Chemical, there are a few other posts around here that explain the problem. That said, here's the answer anyway. You need to go into your account, click on manage account and then edit characters. Hit the default button for the character you want.

Since I am posting here anyway, I have a question: does anyone know how the military ranks are assigned? Is it based purely on the number of games submitted, or do any other factors come into it?
Reply #14 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
military rank is based on number of games submitted
Reply #15 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
The general forumula is SumOfDepreciatedScores / NumberOfGames^4

This formula can't be right, the denominator will become too big too fast.
Reply #16 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Contrary to what Cari posted, the formula over here works fine for my MV score: Link.
Reply #17 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Metaverse Question # 3: Error 12 (serial does not match) - what is this and how can I fix it?

This is generally caused after updating or a re-install. You probably mistyped your serial number, or left out a character, etc. You won't be able to fix the save game, unfortunately, and I can't submit games or scores for you.

I received this error today when trying to post my first Metaverse score. I went into Stardock Central and my serial # matched that given to me by Stardock in an e-mail dated Feb. 20, 2006. However, it differed from the serial # I received when I purchased the game, Dec. 8, 2005 and created my Metaverse character. I entered this serial # into Stardock Central, loaded up my end game GalCiv II and resubmitted. This time it accepted my post!

It took me 2 months to play this game (gigantic map, everything abundant, level painful, completed Dec. 15 2229 [just under 5 years]). It was painful not because of the difficulty level, as painful proved to be to easy, but because it created under v1.1 (just before v1.11 was released) and with had a memory bug which consumed vast amounts of memory with large maps forcing me to reload frequently! My score of 61250 should place me at #200 in the Metaverse once I am ranked!
Reply #18 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
The general forumula is SumOfDepreciatedScores / NumberOfGames^4

Well, there is a typo, the formula is SumOfDepreciatedScores / NumberOfGames^.4

Reply #19 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Yea, that was a significant error and a source of confusion for me. I understand the formula now. They simply went from ^.5 (square root) to ^.4 which results in a smaller number.

I understand the forum is probably more of a nuisance to Stardock than anything else, but if they *are* going to post information, they should take some care in making sure it's correct.
Reply #20 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Thanks for the explanation of why I can't post scores. Most sites don't even give you that. Getting an explanation for Civ3 was like pulling teeth!
Reply #21 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Regarding the calculation of the total MV score out of the individual scores, I'm confused now. I had a formula which worked perfectly for some time, now it doesn't work anymore. Here's what I did:

- Take each game score individually and degrade it by 5% for every 30 days it is old, e.g. multiply with 1.0 for games 0-30 days old, with 0.95 for games 31-60 days old, with 0.9 for 61-90 days, and so on. The minimal value to multiply with is 0.75 for all games older than 150 days - yes, actually it was 0.75 and not 0.65 like stated several times on this very forum. (And my scores are and were old enough that it matters.)

- Round down each value you get and sum them up.

- Divide the result by (number of games played)^0.4 and round this value normally (up or down according to the fraction).

- That should be your total MV score!

Now the problem: The formula worked fine for some time, now it doesn't work for my score anymore. It still works for characters like "Zorn des K", "Mumblefratz" and "unfunf" in the top 10, but not for mine.

Does anybody have an idea what might be wrong?
Reply #22 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
What does the Metaverse think of you if you start a game but never finish it? Can you even try starting a new game if you want to abandon a current one?
Reply #23 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
What does the Metaverse think of you if you start a game but never finish it? Can you even try starting a new game if you want to abandon a current one?


It doesn't think anything of you; you can start and abandon all the games you like with no ill results. You don't have to resign or anything, just go start a new game.
Reply #24 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
I need HELP I HAVE WINDOWES VIST HP A1730N PC I'M TRYING TO PLAY GALCIV 2 DREAD LOARDS AND EVERY TIME I START GETTING INTO THE GAME IT FREZZES I DONT KNOW WHATS CAUSING IT OR HOW TO FIX IT PLEASEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE SOME HELP ME THANK YOU FOR ANY TIPS OR SUGESTION I HAVE A NIVIDA GEFORCE 6150LE AND ITS A AMD ATHLON DUA CORE PROCESSER CAN ANY HELP ME I LOVE THIS GAME AND I WOULD LOVE TO PLAY IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Reply #25 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Please go to C:\Program Files\Stardock\Totalgaming\GalCiv2 (or wherever you installed the game at), open the debug.err file you find there in notepad, and copy/paste the contents into a new thread (not in this one). If this is a DA report, you'll find the debug in C:\Program Files\Stardock\Totalgaming\GalCiv2\DarkAvatar instead. This will give us some technical information that can help troubleshoot your problem.