Frequently Asked Questions

Is Anyone Out There?

Do the AIs (computer players) cheat?

Stars! is one of the few games where computer players do not cheat. The Stars! AIs are governed by the same code that governs human players, and receive the same information. Expert level AIs start with more race design advantage points than human players, medium level have the same, and easy AIs have less. That is the only difference. If you feel like you've been taken advantage of by an AI, let us know. We'll investigate and, if we find that the AI does have an unfair advantage, we'll take it behind the woodshed for a good debugging.

Will anyone listen if I have feedback for the authors?

If you didn't like something in particular or experience problems with the game, or if you have good ideas for the game, please let us know. We answer all our mail and value your feedback -- if it's something we can help you with, we will. If it's just a matter of not having a feature you want, let us know that, too--it just might show up in the next version.

When you submit your ideas, please keep in mind that Stars! is turn-based, not live action.

How do I get technical support?

If you haven't used the game tutorial, you should take a run through it. You can learn a lot about game play there even if you aren't just starting out. The online player's guide (help) and the manual contain detailed documentation about virtually every aspect of the game.

If these resources don't yield answers to your questions, you can send e-mail to one of the following:

support@empire.co.uk (primary support email)

stars@webmap.com

Alternately, visit these web pages:

http://www.empire-us.com/stars/support.htm (US customers)

http://www.empire.co.uk/stars/support.htm (All others)

http://www.webmap.com/stars!

How do I submit bug reports?

1.        Write a description of the suspected bug in a text file.

2.        Zip all the relevant game files and the text file:

pkzip gamename.zip gamename.* backup\gamename.* bugnotefile

3.        Send us the zip file in one of the following ways:

Ø        FTP the zip file to beast.webmap.com/pub (login as ftp or anonymous), then send email to bugstars@webmap.com with a description of the problem, or ….

Ø        Mail the zip file to bugstars@webmap.com along with a description of the problem.

We appreciate the time and effort it takes to send these files. It helps us a great deal to have the actual game files when trying to determine if a bug exists. Thanks for taking the time to help Stars! maintain it's reputation as one of the most stable and bug-free games on the market.

When I zip my game files, they don't get any smaller. Why not?

Stars! game files are already compressed.

Different Strokes

Can several people play on the same computer using one copy?

Yes. Up to 16 people can play "hot-seat" on the same computer with one copy of Stars!. Just make sure that all players use the same copy. In other words make sure that there is only one copy of the game running.

To play one game with several players on one machine:

METHOD 1

Each player can submit their turn, saves, and then returns to the splash screen using File (Close). You don't have to exit Stars! between players.

METHOD 2

If you have enough memory (about 2-4MB per player, depending on the universe size) you can run multiple instances of the game. An "instance" is one running session of the game. 

For setup and play details, read about Hosting Hot Seat Games.

Can two or more people using the same machine, submit turns in the same e-mail game?

Yes. When your .x# file is created it is marked with both your serial number and a fingerprint of your machine. The host will only penalize two or more people playing with the same serial number and DIFFERENT machine fingerprints. Any number of people can submit turns from the same machine with the same serial number. If however, you had two machines at home and submitted one .x# file from each, then each one must have a unique serial number. This allows you to do cool things like take a friend's turn for them when they're out of town or have two family members play from the same machine and so on. We have tried to make sure that our copy protection mechanism is as non-intrusive as possible.

Where can I find hosted games and other players?

World Wide Web Host Sites:

Visit the Stars! website at http://www.webmap.com/stars!. You'll find a waypoints page which lists a number of Stars! sites where you can join games and find player resources.

Usenet Newsgroup:

rec.games.computer.stars

A Host's Work is Never Done

Is it possible to Host Stars! from DOS?

It depends. If the machine cannot run Windows, then the answer is No. If the machine can run Windows but usually does not, then the answer is Yes. It is possible to launch Windows and Stars! from a DOS batch file in such a way that Stars! will generate turns for one or more games and then exit all the way out of Windows allowing the batch file to continue where you it left off.

For more information, read about command line options.

Why is there any way for a host to retrieve a lost password?

Any utility which allowed hosts to remove or change passwords would remove all security from the game. All an unscrupulous host would have to do is copy the game files to another directory and remove the passwords from the player's files in that directory. They could then look at everybody's data in that copy of the universe and no matter what Stars! did, the real players would never know. In a network game ANY player could pull the same trick. Security is an all or nothing element. If we didn't provide at least the minimal level of security we do now, multi-player Stars! games would be a joke.

I have multiple serial numbers. How do I restore a turn ruined by installing the wrong serial number on a machine?

All you have to do is copy the game files from the backup directory to the game directory, open each affected player's turn and choose File (Save). This will save their .x# files with the correct serial numbers and machine IDs.

Race Design

How do I create and save a custom race?

Read Creating and Saving a Custom Race .

Is there an ultimate race?

It depends on the type of universe and the placement and experience of the other players. Expert players can make any race an ultimate race (a few people have proven this). However, the same "ultimate race" in that game might get stomped into space dust in another game with a less hospitable mix of variables. Success breeds predictability.

Can I edit a race during play?

Once a game is started, you're stuck with the race you entered the game with. All game files are compressed and encrypted to provide security for all players. Players cannot read or modify data files.

You can however, at any time, open a saved race file (including the file for a race currently in play) and make edits. As you are playing a race, you might discover a weakness you would like to correct for the next time you play that race.

To edit a race, open the race file using the File (Open) menu item.

Read Editing an Existing Custom Race for more information.

While I'm Playing

Can I design my own ship hulls?

You can design elaborate ship configurations, but you can't design your own hulls. This is a primary game-balancing restriction.

Can I use diplomacy?

Stars! has features that allow you to practice diplomacy in multi-player games. Use the Message pane to communicate with other players, arranging such things as alliances, rendezvous, trade agreements and non-aggression pacts.

When you're setting up the game, you can specify winning conditions that encourage diplomacy by allowing for multiple winners. Stars! does not require one winner.

You can declare neutral and friendly players using the Player Relations dialog. This prevents you from attacking the wrong people and allows you to automatically come to a friend's aid if they're under fire. Friends can also pass through each other's mine fields without harm. So it's worth while to set up alliances, even if they're temporary.

How can I print out a star chart of the universe?

Use the File (Print Map) menu item.