Partner Content by Wargaming
Sci-Fi space exploration games have always fueled the dreams of gamers, but Wargaming’s forthcoming reboot of the classic Master of Orion series reminds us that the first bold steps to “where no man has gone before” actually occurred decades ago.
1993 was the year that publisher MicroProse and developer Simtex launched a turn-based 4X sci-fi strategy game that set the standard for an entire genre. The original Master of Orion afforded gamers the opportunity to eXplore, eXpand, eXploit, and eXterminate their way through the stars and fulfill their dreams of galactic conquest. Gamers were no longer mere spectators to their Star Trek- and Star Wars-fueled fantasies; they became the active composers and conductors of their own space operas.
Master of Orion featured 10 playable alien species vying for control of a randomly generated galaxy populated with star systems and colonial planets, ripe for establishing a foothold in the galaxy. Each of the alien races in MoO possessed inherent strengths and weaknesses that the player had to strategically navigate as they contended with factors such as colony management, starship construction, tech development, diplomacy, and combat. While the original title is considered a classic, it is a single-player game with computer AI-controlled adversaries – a rather concept-limiting drawback by current-day standards.
If Master of Orion set the standard for sci-fi strategy games, it’s 1996 sequel, Master of Orion 2: Battle at Antares, cast its shadow on all subsequent sci-fi exploration games. MoO2 built upon the original with improved graphics and added gameplay complexity courtesy of three new alien races and multi-planet star systems that could be shared with opponents. One-on-One matchplay and up-to-eight player games were welcome multiplayer additions.
The last time gamers had charge of the galaxy was in 2003’s Master of Orion 3. While the third franchise installment had impressive gameplay depth for its time, MoO3’s most egregious misstep was a lack of input from the original game’s development team.
Return to Orion
It’s been two decades since Master of Orion fans have had a reason to proudly celebrate space colonization. One of those diehard fans is Wargaming co-founder and CEO Victor Kislyi, who credits MoO as the title that truly got him interested in video games. Kislyi considers it the inspirational spark that led him to his successful games-industry career and hits like World of Warships and World of Tanks. The path came around full circle in 2013 when Atari made the Master of Orion IP available for purchase. Kislyi jumped at the opportunity to secure the rights and restore the reputation of the beloved franchise.
Wargaming co-founder Victor Kislyi credits the original Master of Orion as the inspiring force behind his games industry career path.
Resurrecting the Master of Orion franchise became a passion project for Kislyi, and one that subsequently involved WG Labs, a then new organizational platform formed by Wargaming to support external development teams as they experiment and create unique game experiences that don’t fit into the company’s traditional lineup. WG Labs’ Austin, Texas-based, Product Vision team and Argentinean developer NGD Studios were tasked with updating MoO’s classic gameplay to contemporary technical standards. But Kislyi, like any series devotee, knew that the revival of the franchise’s soul couldn’t truly occur without the involvement of the original game’s creators.
The original MoO creative team (from left to right): Jeff Johannigman, Jeff Dee, David Govett, Alan Emrich, and Tom Hughes.
To the delight of Master of Orion fans everywhere, the involvement of the original game’s creators went far beyond a mere blessing and spiritual passing of the torch. Original MoO team members including producer Jeff Johannigman, art director Jeff Dee, strategy guide authors and design advisors Alan Emrich and Tom Hughes, and composer David Govett were all brought onboard as consultants for the series’ rebirth. WG Labs and NGD Studios now had direct access to the originators’ expertise and knowledge to maintain the spirit of the legendary franchise while expanding on the vision for a contemporary audience.
Master of Orion’s Custom Ship Builder feature is just one of the many elements re-mastered for the new game.
As would be expected of any modern reboot of a classic game, upgraded graphics topped the wish list of enhancements for WG Lab’s Master of Orion. Every aspect of the visuals from the all-important star map to the mesmerizing aliens to the lust-worthy cinematics have been brought up to cutting edge levels. Where once gamers’ imaginations had to bridge the gap between blocky pixels and believability, the latest MoO delivers an uncompromisingly beautiful vision of the future.
In addition to the requisite visual improvements, the extensive use of audio and voice are the most noticeable improvement fans will notice in the new game. Culled from seminal works of science fiction, the voice cast includes Firefly’s Alan Tudyk, Star Trek: The Next Generation’s Michael Dorn, and Luke Skywalker himself: Mark Hamill. The top-tier talent adds to the game's immersive atmosphere and acts as WG Lab’s heartfelt tribute to enthusiasts of space, exploration, and alien races – a perfect melding of narrative to accompany the games’ stirring musical score.
The Master of Orion franchise has always been distinguished by its cutting-edge visuals and audio, but the aesthetic elements aren’t the only parts being updated and upgraded in its return. The all-essential MoO core gameplay is preserved and even amplified for gamers who can handle more intricate micromanagement levels. The new game builds on the series’ classic foundation and offers a tantalizing array of paths to victory: Seize control of the galaxy through score-based overall Excellence, battle-intensive Conquest, Technological research and development, Economic financial manipulation, or the delicate intricacies of Diplomacy. Whichever path is chosen, all will converge on rich interactions with all 10 original alien races plus one exclusive new addition: the Terran Khanate.
The headstrong Bulrathi will use any advantage to attack enemies, but are champions of the weak and exploited.
Humans have overcome a history rife with internal divisions and pride themselves on diplomacy and honor.
The aggressive Sakkra are an aggressive race that shun scientific and diplomatic pursuits and constantly seek new planets to conquer.
Stellar Shakedown
With a passionate Captain at its head and a dedicated crew manning its design helm, Master of Orion is well set for its return. But MoO’s legacy has always been intricately tied to the players who man each and every starship that roams the galaxy. The dedicated and active community surrounding the series has never been more evident than during the Early Access testing for the new game that began in February of this year.
The Early Access phase has produced such mind-boggling stats as 3.8 million planets colonized and over 84 million turns played. Defying the stereotype that gamers are wannabe warriors, 1.7 million diplomatic agreements have been reached, while only 137,350 planets have been invaded. Governing legislatures everywhere should aspire to be as active and productive as the Galactic Council and its nearly 530,000 voting sessions! But perhaps most importantly, the Early Access testing and the feedback it generates ensures that it is gamers — both past and present MoO fans — who will ultimately determine the final form of its rebirth.
The Collector’s Edition includes the three previous Master of Orion games and a wealth of extras including the exclusive new Terran Khanate race.
Master of Orion fans who are well-versed in the 4Xs are no doubt prepared for the new game’s launch on August 25, but hardcore devotees and franchise novices alike should consider acquiring the Collector’s Edition (which includes MoO 1, 2, and 3). The standard version of Master of Orion is available on Steam for $29.99, while the Collector’s Edition runs $49.99. Distribution service GOG.com (formerly known as Good Old Games) also offers the Standard Edition and the Collector’s Edition of the game as well.
In many ways, Master of Orion is a culmination of a dream that started “A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away,” — a vision fueled by the fantastic sci-fi voyages of literature and film, and given its first steps of life in the games we play. The original game gave us the opportunity to navigate the galaxy, colonize planets, command space fleets, encounter alien life forms, and determine our destiny among the stars. Now, a majestic new starship has arrived and invites erstwhile explorers to venture out into a vaster, more intricate, and challenging universe… Who can resist climbing aboard once again?
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