diff --git a/source/glest_game/graphics/renderer.cpp b/source/glest_game/graphics/renderer.cpp
index a90324da..2aa42e08 100644
--- a/source/glest_game/graphics/renderer.cpp
+++ b/source/glest_game/graphics/renderer.cpp
@@ -1792,7 +1792,7 @@ void Renderer::renderMessageBox(const GraphicMessageBox *messageBox) {
 	glPushAttrib(GL_ENABLE_BIT | GL_CURRENT_BIT);
 	glEnable(GL_BLEND);
 
-	glColor4f(0.0f, 0.0f, 0.0f, 0.5f) ;
+	glColor4f(0.0f, 0.0f, 0.0f, 0.8f) ;
 	glBegin(GL_TRIANGLE_STRIP);
 		glVertex2i(messageBox->getX(), messageBox->getY()+9*messageBox->getH()/10);
 		glVertex2i(messageBox->getX(), messageBox->getY());
diff --git a/source/glest_game/network/server_interface.cpp b/source/glest_game/network/server_interface.cpp
index e89eed28..7c409797 100644
--- a/source/glest_game/network/server_interface.cpp
+++ b/source/glest_game/network/server_interface.cpp
@@ -34,7 +34,7 @@ namespace Glest { namespace Game {
 
 double maxFrameCountLagAllowed 							= 25;
 double maxClientLagTimeAllowed 							= 30;
-double maxFrameCountLagAllowedEver 						= 65;
+double maxFrameCountLagAllowedEver 						= 35;
 double warnFrameCountLagPercent 						= 0.65;
 double LAG_CHECK_GRACE_PERIOD 							= 15;
 double MAX_CLIENT_WAIT_SECONDS_FOR_PAUSE 				= 2;
diff --git a/source/glest_game/world/world.cpp b/source/glest_game/world/world.cpp
index 3b588d6b..81709c4b 100644
--- a/source/glest_game/world/world.cpp
+++ b/source/glest_game/world/world.cpp
@@ -1372,6 +1372,9 @@ void World::exploreCells(const Vec2i &newPos, int sightRange, int teamIndex) {
             Vec2i currPos= newSurfPos + currRelPos;
             if(map.isInsideSurface(currPos)){
 				SurfaceCell *sc= map.getSurfaceCell(currPos);
+				if(sc == NULL) {
+					throw runtime_error("sc == NULL");
+				}
 
 				//explore
 				//if(Vec2i(0).dist(currRelPos) < surfSightRange + indirectSightRange + 1) {