Wargaming to “reimagine” the seminal space simulation.
Master of Orion, widely considered to be one of the most influential series in the “4X” (eXplore, eXpand, eXploit, eXterminate) genre of simulation games, will be seeing new life after more than a decade. Wargaming, developer and publisher of World of Tanks, has announced they are at work on a new entry in the series.
A teaser trailer has been released to accompany the announcement, which shows a dramatic transformation from the low-resolution sprites of the first game to sleek, 3D vessels engaged in a dogfight. A first batch of screenshots has also been released, with examples of the Human, Sakkra, and Bulrathi races, as well as some lovely shots of space.
Development is being handled by NGD Studios, previously known for their work on Bunch of Heroes and Champions of Regnum. Referred to as a “modern rebirth,” the game will feature a new user interface, voice acting, and an orchestral score from the composer of the original Master of Orion.
First published in 1993 by Microprose, the original Master of Orion tasked players with conquering a galaxy using diplomacy and domination through a turn-based system of play. Two sequels, Master of Orion II: Battle at Antares and Master of Orion III followed in 1996 and 2003, respectively. The franchise was acquired by Wargaming in 2013 in a liquidation sale during bankrutpcy proceedings at Atari.
No release date or platform announcements regarding the new Master of Orion have been made at this time.
