has not happen and never will happen on this planet and I feel pretty confident that the rest of the universe most probably is the same.

Also I'm not keen on finding out about how peaceful the rest of the universe is.

Hmm.

Lots of folks seem intent on adding canon races from various sci fi realms.

"Peaceful coexistence" is a big theme there, particularly for trekkies.

Next, Native cultures have plenty of experience with peaceful coexistence.

If you crack open an unbiased history book, there's plenty to choose from.

Its only colonial terror states that tend to use violence as a first, and only, solution.

Really, Gal Civ I was much more inclined in this direction, which was part of the draw.

I'd set every race to "good", and play happily.

Back to the original topic, I think a Steam achievement for winning a game without ever being in a war (either declared by yourself or others on you) would be a good idea.

That would be difficult ... and worthy of an achievement.

I would like to put a +100 on this.  Also would like to add that an achievement should be put in for not going to war in the entire game.. (For our Peacemonger players out there.)

It's hard to win an alliance victory if you can't offer a treaty b/c they hate you for your ideology.  But yeah, I'm not sure it works as a victory type, since you've already got alliance and hitting the turn limit.  Which is why I started talking about Steam achievements instead of victory types ...

Another funny story.

My love of original Gal Civ was because it didn't strike me as a colonialism love-in, like Sid Meier's Civilization, with emphasis on Civ 5.

I've played the Civ series fairly heavily, usually getting disgusted at some point, and putting it down, but I finally reached a breaking point, and couldn't stand the blandness, the watered-down cultures, and the tacit acceptance that the "only" way of dealing with your neighbour is to slaughter him, to break him, to have him driven before you, to hear the lamentations of his women, etc, etc.

Gal Civ I: ultimate was like a breath of fresh air.  I adored the gameplay, I loved the races, I cheered when I could set their AI, and they would actually behave (more or less) in a believable fashion.

I also skipped Gal Civ 2 entirely because it was on Steam.  I know, you've heard me say this, and likely shook your head.

I don't care, I hate Steam.  There is it.  I hate Windows 95, too.  You don't have to agree with me.

Now I see Gal Civ 3 going the same route as Civ 5.

Am I being premature?  Did not Gal Civ I turn out to be wildly awesome, in spite of my complete lack of input?

Entirely possible.

That having been said, I'm here now, I paid $100 to be a Founder, and to chime in, and I'll continue to do so, with the best interest of my overall gaming experience in mind, regardless of agreement, or the lack thereof.

I also giggled that a guy who told me I didn't know how to play this game later commented on the forums that he only plays on beginner.

Now that's funny.

GC2 was also available through retail stores, no need for Impulse or Steam in it's original form, in fact both DA and TA were available through CD direct through Stardock as well, so you could of had the full version with expansions and never had to download anything else.