CONSIDERABLE GERMAN MOD UPDATED
(25 March 2006, 23:48 | MoO3) Version 0.86 of a considerable Master of Orion III patch was released earlier this month. Named Ultima Orion, it is presently available in German only although the team is planning an English-language released this August.
Incorporating several existing Modification (MOD) Packs, and adding new or replacing existing game graphics, its filesize is 88.5MB. Those upgrading from version 0.85 can download a separate file with exact updates at 9.57MB. - DanQ
I LIKE MASTER OF ORION 3
(10 January 2006, 01:03 | MoO3) Gaming site NetJak posted a review by Brady "runningclam" Hammond, who admits that he has something of a confession to make ... I like Master of Orion 3.
Hammond writes that MoO3 was a disappointment to 4X gamers when it was released, largely because MOO3 dramatically split from the path laid out by its two predecessors, shifting the entire focus of the experience to the macromanagement level. This leads to seeing the game as "bureaucracy", but who knew bureaucracy could be so much fun?
Hammond writes that the macro-scale of MOO3 combined with a high level of complexity makes your involvement feel so much different than it usually does because everything you do has such a dramatic impact on everything else, which according to Hammon lets each play through develop into unique narratives that even Civilization never quite managed.
Hammond continues to note that Master of Orion 3 emerges as a fantastic multiplayer experience as well, though he never explains where he found other people to play with.
Hammond concludes by noting that Master of Orion 3 is a game just waiting to be discovered, and asks gamers to give Master of Orion 3 the second chance it deserves. - snoopy369
`UNOFFICIAL PATCH MOD` UPDATED
(13 November 2005, 11:22 | MoO3) Now available from The Master of Orion 3 Guardian (MoO3G) is an updated version of MooIII player `Colt374``s "Unofficial Patch Modification". It`s 27.4MB in size. This is the second stage of this patch`s release, and a twenty-point change list is available for viewing on MoO3G.
The first stage of this modification`s update had been released in mid-May of this year. - DanQ
POINT-AND-CLICK PATCH IMPLEMENTATION
(15 October 2005, 22:53 | MoO3) A series of Master of Orion III patches are documented and available for download on a fansite by an individual who is only known by his email address. In operation since early April of this year, Master of Orion 3 Patcher (MoO3P) is not only the site`s name but also the name of a utility itself that implements the patches available for download.
Ten "Fixes" are listed first, designed to correct game bugs that exist up to and including the most recent version of MoO3, 1.2.5. The twenty "Mods", on the other hand, change the behaviour of the original game. A separate "Spreadsheet Modding" page is also provided.
Most recently, links to various beta patches lacking on-site documentation to date were added to the listing. These patches have little feedback, so if you try them out, please let me know if they work, or if you run into any issues with them, MoO3P`s owner and administrator says. - DanQ
IMPROVING MULTIPLAYER MOD UPDATED
(15 October 2005, 22:45 | MoO3) Improving Master of Orion III`s multiplayer experience was the primary goal behind the team working on "iMOD", an extensive Modification Pack for the game. The first goal of [this work] is to make it possible to win with every race without allowing any killer races or strategies, wrote The Master of Orion 3 Guardian`s (MoO3G) `Bladefist` in late June of this year when version 2.0 was released. For that reason, all race picks have been rebalanced, as have governments.
The following month saw versions 2.1 and 2.1.2 released, and in mid-September 2.2 followed. There were several changes, especially regarding late game balancing, `Bladefirst` commented when announcing the most recent update on MoO3G. More specifically, new [w]eapons, some new race picks, graphics and more and mid[-]and[-]late[-]game balancing issues by strengthening research, trade and cunning are included in this newest release as announced on the MOD's official website. Since late September, version 2.3 is undergoing beta testing.
A full installation of "iMOD" weighs in at 34.2MB, while an update from any previous 2.x version to 2.2 is 11.7MB in size. In addition to MoO3 itself, patch version 1.2.5 is required in order to use. A German-language version of iMOD is also available. - DanQ
NOT PLAYED, `DIDN`T MISS ANYTHING`
(14 September 2005, 23:20 | MoO3) One of the most celebrated leaders in the gaming industry is currently the Director of Creative Development at Firaxis Games, Sid Meier. Amongst his long list of credidentials that spans a career twenty-years strong is the Civilization series that began in 1991. Earlier this week he was interviewed by the co-hosts of "PC Gamer Podcast", the recently launched podcasting division of the Brisbane, California-based PC Gamer magazine, to talk about his company`s ongoing work on Civilization IV.
After being asked whether or not Meier thought CivIV`s overhauled interface would turn-off some hardcore fans, Master of Orion III was brought up as an unfavourable subject of comparison. The PCGP crew asks the Firaxis representative if his company learned anything from seeing MoO3 just kind of flop... because [its] interface was just really cluttered. When Meier responds that he has not played MoO3 at all, one of the show`s co-host retorts that [y]ou didn`t miss anything.
The show was released as a free MP3 download from PCGP`s website late yesterday. - DanQ
