What we can learn from: Master or Orion 1

[Therlun]

hiho

I would likee to start a series fo threads where we discuss and show not only features but concepts of games comparable to Horizon in some way.

I invite you all to add your comments to the according game, comment on the features/concepts the posters before you described, and open similar threads for games you find worth mentioning.
(without causing a spam orgy )

With my comments im not saying that Horizon fails or lacks in the area I mention, I just want to describe things I liked and loved on other games.

my first and unchallenged favourite: Master of Orion 1.

Planning, and not doing so
One of the greatest parts of Moo1 was its technology system.
It was partly randomized, and you could not be sure what technologies you were able to research.

I always loved that as it does not only make the player adapt to the circumstances of a particular game, it also prevents too rigid planning!
No "so i will colonize a bit, then research strait for doomstars and phasors and rush all my enemies" in every game.

Since available techs were different every game there never was an "optimal" research path, ever.

complex and complicated are different

The comparison between Moo1 and Moo2 (which i must admit, I do not like) shows me a major fault in many, many games.

Often a complicated system is sold as complex while it is nothing more then micro.
Moo2 had many different buildings, yet is was only work to mange them...
Moo1 had very few and planets were easily managed, yet that system had IMO much more strategic depth and at the same time much less micro.

Strategic depth is the choice to or NOT to do something, and not only the choice in which order you execute EVERY option.

music and sound is a creative tool, no painful mandatory
Many games advertise with a "great orchestral soundtrack" or "stunning ingame music"... but most games are only endless loops in the sound area.

Well used music and sound will not only enrich the experience of playing, it may also help the player playing.
Situational music, identification tones, "characterization" through accustics....
The possibilities are so much greater then simply buying a soundtrack somewehre and endlessy looping it.

Moo1 did that very well IMO, as every race got additional depth simply by their very own and unique diplomacy sounds.
Does anyone of you remember a piece of music from moo2?
However, if you ever played moo1 take a look at this (shamless showoff... by me. but still ) and i bet you will forced to fight the nostalgic feelings.

Another game that did this very well was beyond good&evil, which also had mostly situational music only.

[Zaimat]

Master of Orion 1 was certainly a classic and one of my favorite games of all time. It had pretty good game balance between the different aspects, was very easy to get into and play. The aliens had character and an atmosphere that is unique, not duplicated except in star control 2 which went even beyond but that was a different game.

Master of Orion 2 on the other hand was a far more complex game and extremely well polished (even though it had crash bugs) yet still relatively easy to play (not compared to MOO1 but other strategy games of today and past). As a designer and game developer i still notice little things and am impressed by the designer/programmers. I think steve barcia/ken burd were genius. Even today it stands up to any 4x game and surpasses it imo in sheer features.

What I'm trying to say basically is in order for them to add features they took away some of the simplicity and cohesiveness of it's predecessor. But do you think it is possible to have all that MOO2 had and still be the same (MOO1) game?

Note: I liked your MOO1 site
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Horizon - Lead Designer

[RobHuntingdon]

I am a bit ambivalent on MOO2... I liked it some of the time and disliked some things.

But I think he does have a valid point -- MOO1 was very simple, yet still fun. Many other games are similarly "super simple" yet still fun. Even recent titles such as Legion can fit here. They don't have to be classics to be fun and simple at the same time.

Sometimes bigger is better. Sometimes it's not. I don't know where the line is. Hopefully you guys can figure it out.

RH
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Robert, the Earl of Huntingdon

Tarry here, my merry men, whilst I seek what adventure await in yonder greenwood; but look thou listen for my call, for I will blow my horn if I become hard-pressed.

Adapted from Sterling, pg. 45