Master of Orion 3

It's everything a Galactic Emperor could desire!

Experience first hand the demands of leading one of 16 different races into unequaled galactic adventures and face a universe of decisions. Set policies, explore, build, declare war, negotiate -- put all the elements into motion that will guarantee your place in the annals of space and time.

• Dominate the galaxy as any one of 16 unique races

• Colossal space battles feature beautiful, tactical real-time combat resolution that keeps play moving at a brisk pace

• Use espionage, dis-information, subterfuge, betrayal, subversion and assasination

• Galactic Councils and diplomacy offer deliciously rich interaction with other races

• Lead by using oppressive force or subtle negotiation

• Dynamic galaxy generation ensures that no two games are ever the same

• Robust multiplayer lets 8 players slug it out for galactic domination

[Five screenshots with five different captions:]

EXPLORE

EXPAND

EXPLOIT

EXTERMINATE

EXPERIENCE

Source:

Back of the game box

[Left flap:]

Experience the triumphant return of the Ultimate Space Strategy game.

Use espionage to spy on your enemies, incite revolts and assassinate leaders

Research and design exotic ships and weapons

Dominate the galaxy as any one of 16 unique races

Explore rich solar systems, avoid black holes and hostile aliens

Multiplayer action for up to 8 players

Beautiful tactical real-time combat resolution

[Right flap:]

Interact with 16 DYNAMIC RACES from across the universe.

MASTER OF ORION 3: THE ULTIMATE SPACE STRATEGY GAME

Source:

Left and right flaps, inside front of the game box

One Sentence Description: Master of Orion 3 (MOO3) is a deep, easy-playing strategic-level game evolving the Master of Orion series by modeling the story depth of science-fiction epics like those you've read and seen in the movies or on TV.

Longer Game Synopsis: "Space is big. Really big." So begins The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. But like the void of space, there is a void in strategic space games. None have provided the bigness, that focus on the highest levels of grand strategy, that science-fiction epics in print, film, and television have long delivered. So, to the traditional "4-X" strategy game of eXplore, eXpand, eXploit, and eXterminate, we are adding an important new fifth "X," eXperience. (Yep, it's a 5-X game!) Through game devices adding character, story, and plot to familiar strategy play mechanics, MOO3 will deliver the grandeur and richness of an epic space opera — not in the guise of a traditional book, movie, or TV show, but presented in the medium of a game experience.

In MOO3, players assume the biggest role ever. No longer do players merely represent petty interplanetary dictators. In MOO3, players represent the controlling power behind an entire galactic civilization. The dictators, presidents, councils, and overlords that come and go are merely a player's pawns. One must use these governments and their leaders to secure the destiny of one's civilization and to manipulate its policies of freedom and oppression in both foreign and domestic arenas. It is not enough to be an able economist or a great captain to succeed in Master of Orion 3; considerable political, administrative, and espionage skills must be applied to craft your civilization's glorious chapter in the Annals of Time and Space.

Although MOO3 is a turn-based game and a player can do anything, he can't do everything. Only a limited amount of "Imperial Focus" is available to each player each turn, so players must manage the ultimate resource — their own direct involvement! Therefore, as players build empires, retaining able administrators becomes more important (as does watching their loyalty and ambition!). Growing an empire means growing a bureaucracy and citizens can resort to voting with their feet or their pitchforks if they're not properly led.

So it is up to players to provide direction and focus to drive their civilization to its goals. Left to its own devices, a civilization will slouch forward, but when properly led by a player, their destiny will be forever written in the stars....

Source:

Official MOO 3 Web Site

DESCRIPTION:

In Master of Orion 3, the sequel to one of the best-loved strategy games of all time, players assume the biggest role ever. No longer do players represent mere interplanetary dictators. In Master of Orion 3, players become the controlling force behind an entire galactic civilization. It is not enough to be an able economist or a great captain to succeed; political, administrative, and espionage skills must be applied to craft your civilization's glorious chapter in the Annals of Time and Space.

GAME FEATURES: - Explore rich solar systems, complete with black holes, space monsters and hostile alien races. - Dynamic Galaxy Generation ensures that no two games are ever the same. - Play one of 16 Unique Races or create your own Custom Race.. - Choose your style of play; use oppressive force to crush your enemies and beat your people into submission or employ subtle negotiation to scheme your way to the top. - Research and Design exotic ships and weapons to crush your enemies. - Galactic Councils and diplomacy of never-before-achieved richness and depth. - Colossal Space Battles that feature beautiful, tactical real-time combat resolution that keeps play moving at a brisk pace. - Shadowy game-within-a-game; use espionage, disinformation, subterfuge, betrayal, subversion and assassination to seat yourself in the highest chair of Orion. - Wars have distinct political and social consequences, not just military and economic consequences. - Slick and intuitive interface makes navigation and gameplay a snap for novice players. - Manage policies dealing with freedom and oppression, slavery, and racial tolerance. Will your civilization thrive better as an oppressive tyranny, a free republic, a unified theocracy, or something in-between?

Source:

Atari Australia website - Windows

"The menus and interface are amazing and the leader animations have to be seen to be believed."

“…the game looks, in Bill Levay's words, like "sex on wheels."

“The level of detail and excitement in this space empire game meant that you could play it for hours at a stretch and get so involved in the action that you wouldn’t even realize you’d missed your sister’s wedding…” - IGN online

Source:

Atari Australia Press Quotes - Windows