Launch options

Extra launch options(arguments) can be added to Galactic Civilizations 3 executable file either through Steam or a desktop shortcut:

• Windows shortcut

1. Right click on the executable file -> Send to -> Desktop (create shortcut)
2. Right click on the newly created shortcut -> Properties
3. Add the options at the end of Target parameter for the executable file:

Example: "D:\GOG\Games\Galactic Civilizations III\GalCiv3.exe" -cheat

• Steam

1. Right click on the game in your library
2. Click Properties
3. Click Set launch properties...
4. In the input window type one or more options separated by a white space. In this case the minus sign before every option is not required.

• Windows desktop shortcut to Steam, arguments added with 'launch properties' will also be attached

1. On your Windows desktop
2. Right click on empty space
3. New => Shortcut
4. Right click on the newly created shortcut -> Properties
5. Replace the whole Target input:

Example: "C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\Steam.exe" -applaunch 226860 -cheat

• Steam app shortcut ('Create Desktop Shortcut')
  • Not possible. Uses its own steam:// protocol whose attached arguments are ignored. Launch properties will still be applied.

Skipping Stardock Launcher

For the Steam version, the Stardock Launcher can be skipped by adding /nolauncher as a command line parameter in Steam will stop the launcher from showing.

Alternatively, it can be skipped using the same method as for Fallout 4's launcher. See: http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=567149803

Replace the Steam launch properties(see above) with, for example: "C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\Galactic Civilizations III\GalCiv3.exe" %command%

You can still add other options after the %command% phrase.

Available options

Possible commands extracted from v2.0 EXE file, options without a description have either not been tested or have unknown effects. Some may be obsolete.

• AllMapOptions - Shows map options hidden by default (No effect in v1.2.0 => Alpha/Beta remnant)
• Autologin
• Autoskip
• Atlasgen
• CampaignBin
• CampaignMode
• Cheat - Enables the console window (default hotkey is the tilde '~'/'`' key)
• CONNECT_LOBBY
• Datazip
• DebugBattlepaths
• DebugBattlesync
• DebugLighting
• DebugMemory
• EnableHighPerformance
• EnableLowPerformance
• EnableTestingCheats
• Fastload
• Framerate - Shows frames per second as well as other parameters. This is the same as doing the command 'fps' within console.
• GfxThread
• Leaderboards
• Load
• LocalDataOnly - Tells Steam not to download Steam Workshop items. Note that GalCiv 3 simply copies the items from Steam folder to "Documents/My Games/GalCiv3". Rename folder within Steam('Steam\steamapps\workshop\content\226860') in order to avoid the mentioned copying.
• NoFog - Removes fog of war from all games?
• Particle
• ParticleViewer
• Password
• Quickstart - Immediately uses the 'Quickstart' menu option once the game has loaded. Map selection is ignored.
• R_ADAPTER0
• ScenarioEditor - Enables scenario options and switching Map Mode in Map Editor (Sandbox/Scenario)
• Skeletons
• SkipIntro - Skips the intro, ignoring the setting in preferences (only do this if you don't like intros).
• TestServerIP
• TestServerPort
• Username
• WR_ADAPTER