OT: Master of Orion 3 is now working.

[Colt]

At the risk of being flamed from here to the end of the universe, I thought everyone here may be interested in this. After all, if you want to try out realtime space combat before SE5, this is the only recent game in which you can...

Many people here have probably tried, or at least heard of, Master of Orion 3. Probably all of you heard how full of bugs it was when it was released and why a lot of people dumped it pretty quickly.

Well I have good news to report!! After a lot of work by us fans, we have finally got MOO3 into a decent working state. You can now play it without fear of running into any gamekilling bugs. And it's GOOD!

A mod has been released called the "Moo3 Unofficial Patch Mod", which fixes practically all problems. Find it here: www.ataricommunity.com/fo...did=469442 (http://www.ataricommunity.com/fo...did=469442)

If you'd like to know more about MOO3, check out the Atari MOO3 forums here : www.ataricommunity.com/fo...orumid=224 (http://www.ataricommunity.com/fo...orumid=224)

Hope to see you there...
Colt.

[Ragnarok-X]

Im pretty sure this is not really that new. I was visiting the atari boards all few weaks, and indeed someone created a tool which allowed it to patch MoO 3 to fix certain bugs, and once in a time there were regulary new patches released. The problem with MoO3 for me was just that i was unable to control my entire empire, like i can do in MoO2 and SE4. I doubt that is fixable http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif

[boran_blok]

The problem with MOO3 is that they took out all the fun stuff. which is essentially what makes a game a game.

[Ragnarok-X]

Well i have to admit i couldnt withstand reinstalling MoO3. I will grab the official and inofficial patches soon and will let you know how it worked out.

[Atrocities]

Thanks for the info, however no amount of modding can fix what was wrong with MOO3. If you happy with it, well thats cool, but it left a horrible taste in my mouth. It will not poisen my HD again.

[Colt]

Ragnarok-X said:
Im pretty sure this is not really that new. I was visiting the atari boards all few weaks, and indeed someone created a tool which allowed it to patch MoO 3 to fix certain bugs, and once in a time there were regulary new patches released.
The problem with MoO3 for me was just that i was unable to control my entire empire, like i can do in MoO2 and SE4. I doubt that is fixable



You'd be refferring to Bhruic's Patcher program, which is used to fix most of the problems. Their are several other things fixed by several other people and methods. He's still working on patches even now.
As for being unable to control your whole emprire... yes, it's a very different game to SEIV, and is focused on Macromanagement rather than micromanagement like SEIV. To really enjoy the game, you have to adopt a different playing style than you would for most 4x games, and that's what caused many people to turn away from the game, (not to mention all the bugs, of course).

I'm glad to see someone has decided to at least check it out. If it doesn't appeal, fair enough... not everyone will like the game even when it's working properly. It's just that type of game. But for those people who would like to see it as it should have been when released, I felt I should put the word out so they don't miss the chance.
Colt.

[Atrocities]

Thanks again for the info. There was a lot I did like about the game, but the bugs and unfinished feel of the game made liking it a chore. I am glad to see that a few folks held onto the ideals of the game and are trying to make it a better.

Thanks again for posting about it. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

[Ragnarok-X]

Well well, as promised i tested it out. I reinstalled MoO 3 for the third time now. I grabbed the patcher and all patches released, both official and fan-made ones. In addition a grabbed a few mods, like better UI and GFX. And i have to admit the game is really better than it was, i just spend 5 hours playing it in a row as Taidian (?). I really much better than it was i would advise everyone who has the game to try it out once more. Its actually pretty funny to lose against the Guardian several times just because you cant break his shields, and its even more funny to construct battleship sized orbital bases and fit them with spinal mounted Rail Guns giving a range of 13k. Thanks a bunch Colt for posting this.
Now i just need to do a few personal mods, like changing effectivess of Beam bases and Fighter Bases.

BTW. if you read this, i have a question: I think Military DEAs give the benefit of allowing more than 1 planetary defense of each kind, but even though i build 3 on my homeworld i cant get more than 1 beam base, 1 fighter base and one missile base. Whats wrong here ?

To sum it up: If you have spare time, reinstall the game, apply official 1.25 patch and get the Patch Colt mentioned.

[Makinus]

Ragnarok, can you list for us the patches and mods that you installed? i´ll try Moo3 again (if i can find my cds) but would wish to try the patches/mods combination that caused you to play the game for 5 hours.... my personal record is something like 45 minutes before becoming bored with the game and going back to SEIV....

[Ragnarok-X]

Easy as it is, get the official 1.25 patch, it location is stickyied within the links Cold postet. Go into the Modding-Forums as well, at the top should be another post about inofficial patches, the first post within that post will guide to you a homepage where the patcher and several patches can be found. For your information, im using all of them.
Two more things are in the modding-forums as well, one thread is called something along "new UI", the other one offers "Combat FX 2.0). Get them as well.
Lastly, go to Apolyton.com (?) in the MoO3 section you will news regarding the "Moo3 Unofficial Patch Mod" Colt mentioned. Get that one as well. Total download is about 15 mb i think.

[Atrocities]

Ok, will try it out. Thanks Ragnarok-X.

[Ragnarok-X]

You, and everyone else really should. Still the biggest lack is the macromanagment. So to make this a smaller disadvantage i have choosen to play in small galaxies, in which you can actually monitor all of your colonies each cycle.
Im still trying to figure out to how to mod MoO3, the textfiles i decompressed all show up messed up with the editor, i think some specific tool is needed to allow proper modding.

[Grandpa Kim]

I looked but can't seem to find the demo. Anyone know where I can find it?

[Ragnarok-X]

I dont think a demo has been released for MoO 3. Even if, it would be unplayable since no patches could be applied.

[Timstone]

Okay, a little bit of thread jacking.

When I used the link to the Atari forum, I wandered off and started reading in the IG I & II threads. I found a link to a nice game. I haven't read the whole site yet, I only saw the screenies and was impressed. This (http://www.ambrosiasw.com/games/evn/) is the link.

[Phoenix-D]

EV Nova, right?

Its a decent game, but their registration system is pretty evil. You pay, get a code to install the game..and then the code expires 30 days later.

If you need to reinstall, you don't have to pay, but you DO have to ask again. Which means if Ambrosia goes out of buisness..EV stops working.

[Suicide Junkie]

I presume that also means the game needs to phone home to install?
(IE: setting your system clock to the purchase date as if it were *yet another* passcode when installing won't work)

[Raapys]

I bought MoO3 when it was first out, having loved #2, but as with many other people, I gave up the game because of all the bugs and the huge gameplay difference from MoO2.
So about a year ago or so, I downloaded the latest patch and a few mods, and decided to give it another go.
And I have to admit, the more I play the game, the more I like it. There's something about it which I can't really put my finger on, but when playing I really feel like I'm in control of an Empire.

The playing style takes some getting used too, though, and it takes alot to master. The trick is to learn how to use Development plans, as this will make even huge empires run efficiently. On my current game I'm at turn 800, got all known empires against me, and I have half the galaxy. It's really hard to quit playing, as the 'just one more turn' drags you forward. What I feel is most lacking about the game is a better AI, especially on the Diplomatic area.

[Timstone]

PhoenixD:
Damn, that's an ugly registration system. That really puts a dent in the game. I was considering to buy it, but now I've heard this I'm in doubt.

[thorfrog]

What mods did you apply that gave this the best game play?

I'm thinking of trying this out. I was a bid MOO2 fan.

[Phoenix-D]

Suicide Junkie said:
I presume that also means the game needs to phone home to install?
(IE: setting your system clock to the purchase date as if it were *yet another* passcode when installing won't work)



It doesn't need to phone home once you have the key, but IIRC it checks to see if the date has been changed.

[Ragnarok-X]

atomannj said:
What mods did you apply that gave this the best game play?

I'm thinking of trying this out. I was a bid MOO2 fan.



I wrote which mods im using on the first page !

[thorfrog]

Yeah, I saw your previous post but I was hoping for more details. Well I found a link that will help for all interested.

Go to this link for all mods to download. It's a good resource.

http://www.moo3.at/mods/

[Ragnarok-X]

On the other hand, the mosts im using are all to be found in the atari boards http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif

[Fyron]

An explicit listing would be quite helpful.

[Ragnarok-X]

Well, i guess you are right. Later today i will make a post with direct to the mods im using.

[Ron_Lugge]

atomannj said:
What mods did you apply that gave this the best game play?

I'm thinking of trying this out. I was a bid MOO2 fan.



Well, if I still had an up-to-date copy I'd suggest the "Ron_Mod", which included varius AI fixed (to make them use weapon moounts) and a "corrected" size / fire rate table for missiles / fighters (missiles of all sized fire at same rate, fighters are all same size, with size / damage adjusted accordingly).

Unfortunatly, my copy of Moo3 is in storage (we moved, with the plan to get our stuff out of storage "soon" -- a year later, and we haven't) and I *don't* have an up to date version for you.

Oh, and even BIGGER system ships / orbitals -- 'cause I felt they should be more effective (done by decreasing system engine size and increasing FTL drive size).

[Colt]

I use a few mods myself... some of them are my own concoctions but most are the work of the other moo3 fans. If you want to see most of the moo3 mods available, go to www.moo3.at (http://www.moo3.at) . The rest are floating around as links in the many threads on the atari boards.
Here's what I'm using, to the best of my recollection anyway... can't check while I'm at work, (note there are two types of mods for MOO3 - code mods and spreadsheet mods. Code mods are generally only coming from Bhruic and Gerra, while spreadsheet mods can be made by anyone.) :

CODE MODS - Bhruic (http://bhruic.dyndns.org)
Diplomacy Fix
Finance Wrap Around Fix
Visibility Fix
Transport Disband Fix
Stuck Tech Fix
Transport Selection Mod
Queue Multiplier Mod
Ground Combat Fix
Sitrep Fix
Autobuild Mod
Colony Display Mod
Galaxy Configuration Mod
Race Selection Mod
System Defence TF Mod
TechLevel Mod
TF's Per Combat Mod

Code Mods - Gerra (links in threads here: MOO3 Mod forum (http://www.ataricommunity.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?s=&forumid=285))
Survivor Condition Mod
Speeder Patch
Ground Combat Text Fix
Wait Screen Remover
Ship Graphics Qualiy Mod
Zoom Range Mod
Budget Slider Mod
AU Display Mod
Transport Design Unlocker

Graphics Mods (http://www.moo3.at)
Gofurs UI Mod V.2
Star Pack
Ostego Menu Mod V1.2
New Leaf Mod
Mega Flag Pack
Combat FX+ 2.0

Other Mods (http://www.moo3.at)
Ostego's Diplomacy Fixes
Encyclopedia Mod V.4.3
Improved tech Descriptions V.4
Orion Senate Laws Mod v.1.2

Well, I think that's it. There may be a couple of others. Phew! Makes you realised how many problems the original game had, doesn't it? Many of these mods are incorporated into the mod shown in my first post. If your having trouble finding any of these mods, give me a yell and I'll let you know where they can be found.

Colt.

P.S. Hi Ron.... you hang around here too?

[Tampa_Gamer]

Yeah, I reinstalled MOO3 earlier this year as well and applied most of the mods at that time (I think Feb/Mar timeframe). They really did change the game. I stopped after about 150+ turns primarily due to the fact that I was up against several Orion systems and no one had told me that in addition to the patches I also needed to go in and manually change the values of their orbital bases (b/c the ECM mod/fix made them almost impossible to hit) and this could NOT be done after the game was started http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/frown.gif

I also stopped b/c, while I like real-time combat (much fairer then IGO,UGO), I refuse to play games when they do not allow us to pause and give orders. Unfortunately, no one could patch that...

Well, I guess I also stopped to start beta testing on my all-time favorite game http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

[cshank2]

Those guardian ships are so evil. First time I played (Unmodded for the most part, had Combat FX 1.5 and a flag pack installed.) I sent a task force of about fourteen ships against the thing... Well, I barely even dented the things shields.

Gonna' have to reinstall and test it out tonight. The only thing I didn't like about MOO3 was the fact I felt like I wasnt really influencing my people like I do in SE4...

[Xrati]

A couple of us all downloaded the "2nd" Patch which I can only assume your talking about. I'm unaware of any follow up patches. It fixes some of the more irritating problems but not all. All I know is that when you get big enough to need the computer to run some of your planets, don't be surprised by what your planets are building!!! We came up with a new name in MOO3 for AI http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/Sick.gif (Asinine Intelligence).

[Colt]

Xrati said:
A couple of us all downloaded the "2nd" Patch which I can only assume your talking about. I'm unaware of any follow up patches. It fixes some of the more irritating problems but not all. All I know is that when you get big enough to need the computer to run some of your planets, don't be surprised by what your planets are building!!! We came up with a new name in MOO3 for AI http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/Sick.gif (Asinine Intelligence).



Huh? There was actually three patches for MOO3... a data patch, a 1.2 patch, and a 1.2.5 patch. The last is what everyone uses, and you are correct - like the previous patches it fixed some of the problems but not all. Those unresolved problems have now been fixed, however and not by any follow-up patches... if you read the first post at the top of the thread you'll realise that the game is now being patched by the fans, and most of the bugs have been fixed in this way.

I will say one thing about your comments about the AI... if you were trying to play it the same way as you play SEIV your going to run into trouble... MOO3 is not a micromanagement game, it's macromanagement. You generally shouldn't have to run your planets yourself... you use the dev plans to set up guidelines for how the AI is to develop your planets. If you don't use your dev plans, then you should expect to be suprised by what the AI is building, because you haven't told him anything different.

As has been said on the MOO3 boards : "Its not about controlling all your planets. Its about controlling the algorithm by which the AI chooses what it will build on your planets....."

See the Strategy forum on the Atari MOO3 forums here (http://www.ataricommunity.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?s=&forumid=278) for more info on how to really play MOO3, (since it requires a dramatically different style than your average 4x game), and especially the "Development Plan Guide" thread you'll find there.

Colt

[cshank2]

Ahaha. So, I put in all the mods and stuff, start the game up. Get tot he loading screen for new game.

ERROR: Can not find DirectX Surface. Meh, uninstalled it, apparently the game doesn't like DX9.0c

[Colt]

cshank2 said:
Ahaha. So, I put in all the mods and stuff, start the game up. Get tot he loading screen for new game.

ERROR: Can not find DirectX Surface. Meh, uninstalled it, apparently the game doesn't like DX9.0c



Nope, that's not true. I run DirectX 9.0c on my PC and I run MOO3 fine. The usual reason for DirectX surface errors in MOO3 is an incorrectly modded game. Which mods, did you install, and are you sure you installed them correctly? It's most likely you've accidently stuffed something up during the install process, I believe.

If it didn't like DirectX9.0c, MOO3 wouldn't even have got the main menu to display. You'd have copped a DirectX error as soon as it tried to appear.

Colt.

[Atrocities]

Thanks Colt for posting.

[Colt]

'Tis my Pleasure. Glad I can help.

Colt.

[Xrati]

I have the 1.2.5 patch and some mods from the board. I un-installed the game about a 1½ yr. ago.(not sure what's happened since) I'm talking about planets all built to the max and computer controlled. The last time I ran the game I had enough ground troops to conquer the galaxy 5x's over. That problem was supposed to be fixed in the patch, but their fix left a lot to be desired. I think it's great that the fans of the game have (once again) bailed out a faulty product. This is why I specifically look for games that have editors or scenario builder in them. They allow for greater flexibility within the game and allow user to run the game that they like. I just recently purchased War Engine and love the flexibility of being able to design the "Whole Game". http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/smile.gif

[Xrati]

As Colt mentioned, some of the mods you install have to be treated with care. The map mod will give you the direct X problem if you've tried to replace a star lane(3 or more turns to travel) with a warp lane (1 turn). For some reason the game doesn't like when you mess with these. Some of the mods that allow you to get extra points for building your race also cause this problem. Just don't install to many mods at once. One at a time and run the game after each mod is installed. /threads/images/Graemlins/icon07.gif Try the diplomacy mod as it does a nice job of actually fixing the negotiation phrases that the AI uses. It was a well done mod with one or two phrases out of place. You can go into the mod and fix them yourself if they haven't been fixed already.

[cshank2]

Ah, the map one is probably it since that was the only one that actually really /changed/ anything.

[Hugh Manatee]

*thread necromances*

When patching the stock MoO game up to the latest do I have to use the data patch, v1.2 code patch and the latests patch, or just the latest? I dont want to spend a half hour DLing something I don't need.