MoO IV by FIRAXIS

[meisen]

MoO IV by FIRAXIS

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

They'd take MOO3, add cheesy 3d graphics to it, dumb down the ai and replace it with annoying program cheats, make it into a slow running, buggy resource hog to such a point that half the computers on the market wont be able to handle running it and they would release it while it was unfinished and still in beta.

The clowns who made civ are the last I'd want to see taking on MOO....except micro$oft.

 

[gschelz]

Yes, tomorrow. I have played every 4X game out there, and still find MOO 2 the most compelling. Using it as the starting point (yes, forget MOO 3 - Please) not much needs to be done - modernize the graphics and music, and upgrade the AI. Polish the rest.
Polish = deeper diplomacy
more techs
larger galaxy
fleet/ship battle orders
customizable victory conditions (and ability to convene council)
Savable build queues and management
+ a few more that I can think of.

 

[Zed-F]

Everything but the kitchen sink gameplay = no thanks.

I'd rather KISS and stick with SotS. It's far better than MOO II, especially when you consider the expansions.

 

[gschelz]

I didn't want to start a debate on which 4X game is best, just want to revive support for MoO IV. Why deny me my happiness?

On the other hand....

I agree that SOTS has one big advantage over MoO, and that is continued support. Otherwise, the wormhole/choke point galaxy and RT battles leave me cold. But that's me. I don't like to see my ships doing stupid things in combat and I like the control/options that MoO gives you in tactical combat. What could be more fun than loading up a fast cruiser with Neutron Blasters and capturing an enemy's battleship (or Star Fortress!)?

g

 

[Murky]

For 4x space, these are you current choices.

1) MOO II with the community patches, has single player and online play.
2) SotS with the expansions. It has both single and multiplayer.
3) Galactic Civ II with the expansions, only has single player mode.
4) Sins of a Solar empire. Newest of the genre, both single and multiplayer
5) Space Empires V, not a bad game but each game can be very long.

MOO II is a timeless classic. It is the bases on which to rate the others. It's graphics are old and it's gameplay is all turned based. This appeals to some. If the presentation were updated it could compete better.

SotS is a pretty cool game once you get used to RTS battles. The expansions look pretty sweet too. The strategic game is a bit limited.

GCII, not a bad game. Being limited to single player mode sucks no matter how good the AI is. Great support though.

Sins of a Solar Empire. The interface takes a lot of getting used to. It is an RTS in both the strategy game and the tactical game. I think that turns off some of the players because in a strategy game, you need time to think.

Space Empires V. Some people like it. I just disliked the rather generic feel to everything and how long it takes to build up your empire.

There are other 4x space games but I don't consider these worth playing.

 

[gschelz]

Murky,

Thanks for the list - I've played them all. Including VGAPlanets - now that's a game micro managers love. I don't disagree with your general sentiments but I keep coming back to MoO II.

You mention the word "compete", and that's a compliment for MoO II, that it still competes after 12 years! In this industry!

All I'm saying is - let it REALLY compete with an update to MoO IV.

It can only revive interest in the genre, and perhaps raise the bar for the other games. We'd all be happier!

g

 

[Megafrost]

That's assuming that the company that picks it up does justice to the game. After all, MoO III was a disaster.

 

[gschelz]

Megafrost, I tgotally agree about MOO III (as I said in my initial comment "yes, forget MOO 3 - Please).
As for the company, I believe that the original post mentions Firaxis for that very reason - they have done a great job with the CIV series. I think Stardock could also get it right, and maintain it.

Anyhow, I keep my fingers crossed.

 

[Murky]

I'm beginning to doubt if there will ever be another "Master of Orion" because is there already a lot of competition for a relatively niche market. Most of the top games these days are either FPS or adventure games of some sort. They succeed combining the best 3D effects with good story telling. MOO II is not that type of game.

 

[gschelz]

Murky,

I hear and understand what you are saying - it is the reality of the current market. But perhaps that argument could be twisted upon itself --> maybe it is time for something different.

In any case, if GalCiv and SoTS can survive, then perhaps there is already a market for MoIV. And CIV seems to keep rolling along. There is a foundation of turn based strategy game players out there. And let's face it, game developers (like movie producers) like the safety of building upon a known franchise ( = sequel). People, like myself, who will buy a copy of MoO IV no matter who developed it or how bad the reviews were.

g

 

[Keev_65]

Would you buy Master of Orion 4, made by Firaxis?

Let me think...for sure.

Please support these post, so that they might consider the option.

Yes I would buy it. As long as it is not a RTS type game. Sorry I loved Moo2 for this reason.

 

[knigh+]

I would buy proper (i.e. not like MoO3) sequels of MoO2 and MoM, regardless of the price and system requirements. Other than the "Master of" series, the only game I have ever said that for is Diablo.

Actually, when people say MoO4, designers will probably want to be innovative and make another catastrophe like MoO3. Maybe it would be better if someone would simply make an expansion pack for MoO2 first - a MoO2.5 if you will. That would help them 1) probe the market, 2) remedy the agony of MoO3 and clean the bad reputation, 3) show people what that specific group of designers can do, 4) introduce best game of all times to the new generation of gamers.

 

[vmxa]

That would be sweet for sure an add on that did some bringing it up to the current OS, rather than DOS and maybe some improved graphics. Toss in a few new things. Expansion like some of the games where you do not need the original.

I have finally gotten around to playing Space Empires V. I bought it new for xmas 2006. One of the things that is killing me in the game is that it has so many techs, no way I can remember all the stuff, let along figure out what is best to use.

I felt Moo3 and Civ4 suffered from the too large of a tech tree issue as well. Moo3 had other issues, but Civ4 that was my biggest problem. You have too many choices and many are just as good as the other.

Moo2 gave me a few place where I had to made a choice and both were good, but they did not go in a different direction. In Civ4 you have to choose entire branches to travel, not one tech from another.

Moo1 is still great, because it is not overly complex, but allows for replaying. Moo2 added things like upgrading ships and racial traits that could be selected. It did not give you so much you went crazy.

 

[Tholish]

I liked MoO III, well worth 9 dollars, so I would definitely get MoO IV!

 

[JosEPh_II]

I still play MoO3.

I still Mod MoO3. Can't mod 1 & 2 though. But Lord Brazen's MoO2 site has many good Mods for MoO2.

IF Firaxis would make MoO4 I wouldn't want it to be as bland as the CIV IV Mod FF. That mod needs a Bunch of work!

Several Names in this thread I recognize from the MoO3 site, Hello to you all.

It is time though for a Proper MoO4 and NOT another Gal Civ. Gal Civ is a fine series But in MY book doesn't have the depth or the "one more turn" feel. Even Space Empires Series doesn't match the MoO series.

I do play a lot of CIV IV BtS especially Rise of Mankind Mod. Now if Firaxis look at what has been done there and could translate and add to that model I would buy it and enjoy it.

JosEPh

Ps. To all the old naysayers of MoO3, Old timers and new are coming back to MoO3. I see them all the time on the forum.

 

[vmxa]

I have not install III in either of my last two system. I think that is due to the long relearning curve and the lack of a comprehensive mod help. IOW I hear players such as you mention III and they are playing with this or that mod.

I have gone to look for the mod and had a hard time trying to understand what pieces I need and how to use them. It could be that I did not put in enough effort. I remember having a lot of issues with spying and trying to figure out what should be built on what planets.

I also recall lots of issues with upgrades or retrofits on ships. Anyway each time I pull out the CD's, I get depressed at the effort needed to get going.

The only part I remember enjoying was a few good sized battles with fun to see action. That was late in the game.

 

[Thorn]

I agree with vmxa. I might also attempt another go at MoO3 if I could figure out how/which mods to install and a brief FAQ on how they work.
Although it's hard to image that mods alone could improve MoO3 THAT much.

 

[Sullla]

I have gone to look for the mod and had a hard time trying to understand what pieces I need and how to use them. It could be that I did not put in enough effort.

Umm, aren't video game supposed to be FUN? You should not have to "put in effort" to reach a point where a game is enjoyable. Look, to each his or her own. Still, I'm not sure why anyone would want to struggle through some of the most godawful documentation and interface design in gaming history to "learn" Master of Orion 3, when there are hundreds of games that are fun to play right out of the box. But fun is where you find it, I suppose.

 

[vmxa]

That is why I have not done it either, but it did cost a lot more than most games as I got all the junk with it. The last time I did that as well. Once in a while I think I should take a shot to see if I can get some fun out of it, but not manage to get back to try, since the first month it came out.

 

[morchuflex]

Hello. Glad to see signs of life here.

I would definitely buy a Moo4, no matter who designed it, provided it was true to the spirit of the original games (Moo and Moo2).

And I would KILL for a MoM2...

Of all the more recent 4X games, I have carefully read their reviews, and none of them seems close enough to Moo for me to be tempted.
In particular, I won't even consider buying a 4X that doesn't offer a rich ship design and detailed tactical combat. These two were Moo2's best assets. For the other features, I did prefer the original Moo. Well, except the 32,768 ship fleets, maybe...