Skukkuk

Join Date 03/2003

+10

[BUG 1.3...] Multiplayer Lobby - checksum error

multiplayer issue, multiplayer broken, multiplayer unplayable, custom faction error

Ongoing from V. 1.02 my multiplayer is broken and I can't play it.

Ticket to Stardock support is allready running all the time, but weather they can't catch it or do not have ressources to do it, I can't say.

From V. 1.02 to V 1.3 it was a chance to join MP games, but in most cases game crashed while custom factions should get integrated. Since V 1.03 I simply can't join any offered game due to 'Data checksum error with lobby' - issue.

Does anybody else have such issue?

Playing GC3 from start as a founder, I recognized Stardock to change custom faction style several times. First they told me that old MP-Savegames caused the issue.

I did request Steam Support to delete all saves from cloud. No change.

Then they said it has something to do with mods... All mods deleted, no change.

The only obvious reason left is the custom faction part. So I asked Steam Support to delete all files a second time. First check showed all things deleted, so I tried MP...no change.

Surprisingly synchronisation with Steam cloud brought back 2 old faction designs from beta, wich are stored in a single file while today factions use 3 files. My guess is, that they wrecked up the custom factions, while old beta factions seem to be stored elsewhere and so they reproduce anyhow Steam cloud data is deleted.

Now I blocked Steam cloud entirely, which I'm using with several other games without any further problem, deleted those targeted custom faction files and the issue is still there.

Besides I'm heavily using workshop factions and ships (also with my own releases), as I do like to have high diversity ...which either could be a reason for this MP-issue. Anyhow, this should get overlooked by devs immediatly, otherwise custom factions mess up MP.

Anyone facing similar problems or may have solved it?

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kin3tix

Join Date 09/2014

Hey Skukkuk,

It sounds like your suspicions may be accurate. Based on what you describe, it sounds like a mod the Steam cloud is hanging onto may be changing your core XML files, and as a result, it's failing the check performed prior to joining a lobby.

I'd like you to try the following:

- Please first disable the Steam cloud globally for your account. To do this, go to settings, then navigate to the following setting: http://sd.stardock.com/brad.ather/Jingimages/2015-05-19_1502.png

- Then, navigate to the following directory (default GC3 install location):

C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\SteamApps\common\Galactic Civilizations III

- You should see a folder named "data" in the above location. Please rename it to "data.old".

- Lastly, please locate GC3 in your Steam library, right click on the game and select properties, then choose the option 'Verify Integrity of Game Cache'. Example: http://screencast.com/t/QwZ9xVyT

After the Steam has verified the folder, it should redownload the "missing" data folder.

Please try launching GC3 after this has occurred and let me know if you can join a lobby.

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Thx for your reply @kin3tix and your support.

Untertaken all steps you posted, unfortunately no change in MP. Still get the 'data checksum error with lobby' issue.

Besides I got response from Steam support regarding those 2 old beta factions. They said they can't delete them as the files are too small. Anyhow those 2 files can't be the reason, I'm wondering why Stardock doesn't offer single switch-off for Steam cloud...or why they ever offered it, when it wrecks the whole thing by old saves.

This is my current starting screen since V. 1.3, where I do get 3 empty requests showing like this:

Just some ideas, which may be dumb, but probably they bring the spirit to crack the issue.

- Playing with german localization doesn't produce data checksum error with lobby, yes?

- Workshop custom factions and ships do not wreck MP as Stardock seriously prevented that by code?

- Mods I've played, which are stored in C:\Users\(my name)\Documents\my games\GalCiv3\Mods may not alter the original files, while mods are deleted afterwards. Right?

- Installing GC3 on different hard drive then the expected C: one doesn't produce data checksum error with lobby, yes?

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Update: After ending 1st attempt, Steam loaded some 0mb file to GC3 and so I gave it another try.

In MP lobby it then showed this:

One of the games wasn't 'grey' any longer, what a surprise. I tried to join this game and got loading screen, but unfortunately the host seemed to end the session. Can't say if it would have worked.

First thing I would have asked the host was in which localization he is currently playing. Could it be that the dev's made a rooky error and produce incombatible localisations?

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Stardock support confirmed that they forgot about different localizations in multiplayer. Next patches should change it ...

More and more I'm feeling like a paying test tube-dummy, while Stardock, who allready has my founder money, spares a lot of investment. If they hire rookies...how about compensation for us 'inofficial' testers then?

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