It is currently on sale....
But there was no patch, right? I should keep my Steam version that still gives me more than 40 seconds to play?

Nope, still no patch.

I think I fixed the 40second match timer bug.

I mean it works for me now. So in lieu of a real patch, have a modified .exe-file from a stranger on the internet: https://mega.nz/file/42Nn0Z4T#A5On9slOEh9Og2lJ2mX_yKsNS3IRiNCHxL8vmuiyuCc

Thanks, man!
It really works.

I can also confirm that the EXE is patched. Just out of curiosity, what did the devs do to break the code?

When I try to execute the .exe Windows defender claims the archive is a possible virus. It is normal/safe?

It is fine. The file is not digitally signed, so Windows goes nuts. Microsoft wants devs to pay them to get the digital certificates to rubber stamp exe files. Not everyone can do this. I scanned it with Avast and I have had no issues at all.

Thanks for answering! The patched .exe works perfectly, but online mode doesn't work sadly.

I figured that is what happened after looking at the version number. Thanks for hooking everyone up.

Out of curiosity, what do you guys have in the <TurnDuration> element in the \Data\Manager\Rule.xml file around line 89?

I have only the Steam version and it looks like this:

<TT>
<Blitz>
<TurnDuration>(480,360,240,180,120,40)</TurnDuration>
</Blitz>
<Classic>
<TurnDuration>(240,120,40)</TurnDuration>
</Classic>
<NbTurn>16</NbTurn>
</TT>

It's a nice thought but don't bother digging around the other files. Before I swapped the executable I had already tried replacing ever other single file in the GOG version with the Steam version's equivalent. If that had been successful at some point it would have been great since none of those swaps would have required dealing with Valve's DRM. It hadn't worked, unfortunately, so the only conclusion left was that whatever bug it was, it must be in GOG's executable.

Thank you for your reply. Then the game is a no buy for me on GOG. If the bug could've been fixed by editing the text in some of the config files or modifying the database the game uses... It's a shame that they messed up the binaries but they couldn't be bothered to recompile the game and upload a playable version to GOG for their customers :(

It isn't an issue in the config files. The devs busted the EXE trying to break LAN multiplayer. They broke far too much in the code and didn't bother to fix the issues, releasing the busted version on GOG. I figured out the LAN issue a few years ago and another fella posted the modified EXE from the Steam version to fix the 40-second turn bug.