By Marshall Garvey
With E3 a week away, and so many huge titles already announced (“Fallout 4” being just the latest), you might think you’ve had your fill of huge gaming announcements. And why not? 2015 was going to be a huge year in gaming with Arkham Knight and Metal Gear Solid V alone. Aside from a next-gen Zelda (as in I want that announced at E3 Nintendothankyouverymuch), what else could we want now?
Well, there’s yet another important release just announced, and it’s one everyone should take note of: Master of Orion, the seminal sci-fi computer game series that tremendously popularized the turn-based strategy format, is getting a reboot! Wargaming, the developer and publisher behind World of Tanks and World of Warships, is reviving the series after over a decade in the wilderness, with the last installment being 2003’s Master of Orion 3. Having purchased the rights in 2013 during an Atari auction, Wargaming won’t delegate the task to the minds behind the World of games. Instead, they’ve tapped NGD Studios, who will receive help from some of the minds behind the original game.
Said Wargaming CEO Victor Kislyi: “Master of Orion is a game that brings Wargaming truly back to its roots, not only as a company but also in how it influenced my personal interest in both games and making them. The series’ iconic gameplay has stood the test of time and working with NGD Studios to bring the series back to life is a truly exciting moment for the team.”
In terms of gameplay, the reboot will retain all of the elements that popularized the original titles from 1993 to 2003. Once again, players will lead one of ten races to dominate the galaxy through a skilled utilization of conquest, diplomacy, technology, and research, all while keeping track of population morale, pollution, and their civilization’s economy. Upgrades will come chiefly in new technologies, advancements, ship classes, and customizations, as well as graphical upgrades.
And if you’re still not enthralled by all of that, then take a look at the announcement trailer right here!