Hello everyone,

I've been looking through these forums and it seems like most 'game does not work' problems occur at Windows 7 machines. My question is: does SMAC work on windows 7 at all? Without bugs, glitches etc? Because I've been looking forward to finally playing this game after all those years, but I'm not going to buy something that doesn't work.

And two other, kind of 'off-topic' questions:

1) Is it still worth playing SMAC after playing civ4 and 5? I guess it is, even if it's only for the awesome 2D graphics, but I could be mistaken. Are there enough differences gameplay-wise between those games?

2) As far as I've understood it is very likely that GOG will give the expansion for free to owners of SMAC, if it will be 'released' on GOG, because this is usually their policy. Is this correct? (I'm a new GOG user so I wouldn't know)

I have Windows 7 32bit, and I've had no problems whatsoever with SMAC.

As for it comparing to Civ 4 and 5, if pretty graphics are make or break for you, go with those two. As far as I'm concerned, the only Civ game that holds a candle to Alpha Centauri is 3, because 3 is derived from Alpha Centauri the same way Alpha Centauri was derived from Civ 2.

Just spent the last weekend playing SMAC on my Win7 (64 bit) laptop. Worked perfectly. It's most definitely still worth playing. IMO SMAC has more depth than any of the Civ games, with far more options and subtleties to playing styles. It also has a great, unique atmosphere that sets it apart from the Civ games. I still play Civ 4 pretty regularly, but I also regularly come back to SMAC. GOG has provided some expansions for free in the past (and has never charged for an expansion that was later added, as far as I know), but this decision would also require EA to agree to it so I really can't call this one.

Thanks for the replies. The people on this site really are helpful and mature, especially in comparision with other game-related sites, aren't they?

If it isn't windows 7 incompatibility then I'll just give it a try. It's not thát expensive anyway. I loved civilization 4, loved 5 less, but it sounds like SMAC could be my dream game. And 2D graphics! I have a renewed love for 2D graphics in this age of shinier and more life-like 3D games hehe. Yay nostalgia, even though I was just a young kid back then.

on question 2, I think usually they will give the expansion to early adopters, but I have noticed with Jagged Alliance, they sell the expansion separately, so knowing EA, it might be the same way with AC

I'd be willing to pay extra to get the expansion. I haven't purchased SMAC because I already have it on disk, but if the original game and expansion were both available for download I'd open my wallet and buy both of them, even if they were separate purchases <pokes GOG and EA with a sharp stick>..

Oh, I LOVE SMAC, even more then normal Civ games but I dont want to buy it either without AC. I'll say it again, and hoping GOG hears, I'd buy this immediately despite owning the planetary pack if AC was offered on GOG too.

It's worth buying if only for win 7 compatibility. That alone is worth the price. Alien Crossfire would be really cool and I wouldn't mind paying let's say 3-4 dollars for it (it's not a full game, so it shouldn't cost more than SMAC itself).