January 25, 2005

New features planned.

Here is what I am planning for the patch in the next few patch releases:

Some new switches:

/noscan The scan button during combat will be disabled. This will limit scanning. You will still be able to see what weapons have been fired or are available as your opponent selects them.

/noreport The report button on the diplomacy screen will be disabled preventing you from seeing what technology your opponent has.

/bonus Each worker, scientist, and farmer receives a +3 bonus. It is not effected by moral, race picks, pollution, or any other effect. It also does not contribute to pollution. It is a flat bonus added after all regular calculations are done. This switch is intended to lessen the benefits of and reduce the negative effects of some race picks. Also, it should shorten multiplayer game length.

Add a new Galaxy Size:
Cluster The galaxy will contain the same number of stars and planets as a huge galaxy however they will be closer together. This should allow rapid expansion of you empire.
Add a new Technology Age:
Post-Warp All players will have technology 250RPs and below. All technology from those categories are received by all races even those who are non-creative.

January 18, 2005

Moo2v140 LAN games under Windows XP Pro

In order to play LAN games of Master of Orion II v1.40 on Windows XP Pro, you will need to follow the regular Installation on Windows XP instructions. NWLINK IPX/SPX/NetBIOS network protocal will also need to be installed.

After the IPX protocal has been installed, you will need to edit the c:\windows\system32\autoexec2.nt file and change as shown below. The lines in bold will need to be added and the lines referring to Kali should be removed to avoid conflict.

@echo off
REM Load DOS mode CD-ROM support
lh %SystemRoot%\System32\mscdexnt.exe

REM Load DOS mode DPMI support
lh %SystemRoot%\System32\dosx_sp1

REM Set parameters for Sound Blaster Emulation
SET BLASTER=A220 I5 D1 P330 T3

REM Load DOS mode IPX support
lh %SystemRoot%\System32\nw16
lh %SystemRoot%\System32\vwipxspx

January 13, 2005

Issues for European XP SP2 users

I am aware of a new issue for XP SP2 users. It seems some SP2 users are having problems still with the b18 patch. Most users seem to be European. I suspect this is because non-North American or Non-English releases of XP are different.

The problems with SP2 are caused by the new version of DOSX.EXE. This version causes Orion2 to crash shortly after starting a LAN game.

In order to solve this problem on your own you can try this after applying the b18 patch:

  1. Copy an old version of DOSX.EXE to your c:\windows\system32 folder. You will need to rename it as you will not be able to overwrite the SP2 version. I suggest you call it DOSX_SP1.EXE. If you have applied the service pack, there should be a hidden folder c:\windows\$NtServicePackUninstall$ where you can find the old version of dosx.
  2. Next you will need to edit the c:\windows\system32\autoexec2.nt file and make sure it reads as follows. Make sure the dosx_sp1 (bolded) is the same filename you used for the old dosx. Also, make sure the path to the Kali install folder (bolded) is correct.


@echo off

REM Load DOS mode CD-ROM support
lh %SystemRoot%\System32\mscdexnt.exe

REM Load DOS mode DPMI support
lh %SystemRoot%\System32\dosx_sp1

REM Set parameters for Sound Blaster Emulation
SET BLASTER=A220 I5 D1 P330 T3

REM Load DOS mode Kali support
REM Set the Kali variable to match your own path to Kali install folder
SET Kali=C:\PROGRA~1\Kali95\
lh %Kali%KALINT.EXE %Kali%DLL\KALIVDD.DLL

1.40b19 patch developement progress

Many people have been asking me what will be included in the b19 patch. At this time, I am not entirely sure. Here is what I have done so far:

  • Added 32K bytes of code space to the exe file. This gives us plenty of space for future patch code.
  • Corrected a bug to do with repeat build which allowed players to buy stored production and cheat.
  • Cleaned up some items within the patcher program (the program that applies the patch).

There will be more in the coming weeks. Stay tuned.

January 02, 2005

Master of Orion II v1.40 Installation Instructions

How to Install Master of Orion II v1.40

Installing on Windows XP
Installing on Windows 95 / 98 / ME

NOTE: unfortunately Windows 2000 does not support DOS mode game play. Windows 2000 users cannot play using the v1.40 patch without the use of DOSbox or VirtualPC (or simular).


How to Configure for a LAN or Internet game (additional instructions)

Moo2v140 LAN games under Windows XP Pro
Moo2v140 LAN games under Windows XP Home
Moo2v140 Internet games using Kali
Moo2v140 Internet games using Hamachi

January 01, 2005

Installing Master of Orion II v1.40 on Win 95/98/ME

Technical Details

System Requirements under Windows 95 / 98 / ME:

  • Pentium 66MHz or better
  • CD-ROM drive (only for install)
  • 16M RAM minimum (depends on OS)
  • Windows 95 / 98 / ME
  • 360M Hard disk space (contents of entire CD)
  • VESA 1.2 compliant video adapter (mode 101h - 640x480x256)
  • Mouse

Installation under Windows 95/98/ME

Step 1: Run the DOS installer

Insert the CD. When (or if) the Master of Orion II install window pops up, close it. That is for installing the Windows 95 version of the game. We want to install the dos version instead.

Find the Install.exe on your CD and double click it to start the DOS installer. You should see the screen as below. If your video does not appear to be functioning at this point, you will not be able to play the DOS version of the game (unless you can find compatable video drivers). Also, many people do not have a CD with the dos version of the game on it.

Select a drive and click install ( I suggest you use the default directory C:\MPS\ORION2 ). The game will install. When the installation is complete, the Sound Configuration Utility will start. Configure both the MIDI music and Digital audio settings to match your soundcard configuration. Select Done and exit.

Step 2: Copy the entire CD onto the hard drive (optional step)

In order to speed up the game, I recommend you now copy the entire contents of the CD into the C:\MPS\ORION2 folder. When you are copying you can feel free to say 'Yes to All' when it asks to overwrite the files. Once all the files are copied you will need to edit the 'ORIONCD.INI' file within the C:\MPS\ORION2 folder. Change the top line in the file to C:\MPS\ORION2\

Step 3: Apply the v1.31 patch

Now you need to apply the 1.31 patch to the game. Download the 1.31 english DOS patch from the microprose web site. Unzip it into your C:\MPS\ORION2 folder overwiting files as needed.

Step 4: Apply the v1.40 patch

Now you need to apply the 1.40 patch. Download the 1.40 patch. Unzip it into your C:\MPS\ORION2 folder. Run it. Be sure to say yes to 'Create Desktop Icon'.

Step 5: Configure an icon on the kali games launch bar (optional)

Next, open up kali. Right click the game launch bar (in the blank area beside the game icons in kali). Pick 'Add New Game' from the menu. Then select 'Master of Orion 2' from the selection window. Now in the Game Settings window, click the browse button. Browse to and Open 'ORION2v140.EXE'. Leave everything else as default. Click OK to finish.

Download

Official Moo2 patch by Microprose:

Moo2 v1.31 patch for both Orion95 and DOS Orion2.


Unofficial Moo2 patches:

Moo2 v1.40b24 patch for DOS version only. See the Patch FAQ.
Moo2 v1.40b24 patcher source code .
VESA wrapper for DOS version. Resolves problems on some systems where you get LOAD VESA.COM error.


Moo2 utilities:

NOTE: Most of these tools need to be copied to and run from the game directory.

*** Unfortunately I had to remove the download for most of these utilities because some jerk complained to my hosting provider that they were malware.  If you do want one of these old utilities please send me a message through the forum. ***

OCL v0.21 - LBX and game exe editor. For use with both DOS and Win version 1.31.
OCLplus v0.3 - LBX and game exe editor. For use with DOS version 1.40 only.
BaaUtil v2.85 - Save game editor that randomizes the game.
Corion2 v1.0 - Save game editor. Edits many things.
LBX Explorer v0.93 - Tool for viewing the contents of some of the LBX game files.
Money Editor - Save game editor that gives more money.
MapLeveler v1.0 - Save game Map Editor.
Moo2 Hero Editor v1.0 - LBX file editor that alters hero characteristics.
Moo2 Melting Pot v0.952 - LBX file editor that alters race characteristics.
Moo2 Officer Editor v1.0 - LBX file editor that alters heros.
Moo2 Planet Editor v1.0 - Save game planet editor.
Moo2 Scenarizer v1.0 - Save game editor.
Moohero v2.1 - Tool to display all hero data (not entirely accurate).
PickHack v1.0 - LBX file editor for custom race picks costs.
RandRace v0.1 - Tool for generating a random race to play(not an editor).
Moo2 Save game Editor v0.35 - Tool for editing many things in save game.

Installing Master of Orion II v1.40 on Win XP

Technical Details

System Requirements under Windows XP:

  • Pentium II 300Mhz or better
  • CD-ROM drive (only for install)
  • 128M RAM minimum
  • Windows XP (any Service Pack)
  • 360M Hard disk space (contents of entire CD)
  • VESA 1.2 Compliant Video adapter and a compatable driver that supports 640x480x256.
  • Mouse
Installation under Windows XP (any Service Pack)

Step 1: Run the DOS installer

Insert the CD. When (or if) the Master of Orion II install window pops up, close it. That is for installing the Windows 95 version of the game. We want to install the dos version instead.

Find the Install.exe on your CD and double click it to start the DOS installer. You should see the screen as below. If your video does not appear to be functioning at this point, you will not be able to play the DOS version of the game (unless you can find compatable video drivers). Also, many people do not have a CD with the dos version of the game on it.

Select a drive and click install ( I suggest you use the default directory C:\MPS\ORION2 ). The game will install. When the installation is complete, the Sound Configuration Utility will start. Do not configure the sound right now. Leave both MIDI music and Digital audio as None. We will configure it later. Select Done and exit.

Step 2: Copy the entire CD onto the hard drive (optional step)

In order to speed up the game, I recommend you now copy the entire contents of the CD into the C:\MPS\ORION2 folder. When you are copying you can feel free to say 'Yes to All' when it asks to overwrite the files. Once all the files are copied you will need to edit the 'ORIONCD.INI' file within the C:\MPS\ORION2 folder. Change the top line in the file to C:\MPS\ORION2\

Step 3: Apply the v1.31 patch

Now you need to apply the 1.31 patch to the game. Download the 1.31 english DOS patch from the microprose web site. Unzip it into your C:\MPS\ORION2 folder overwiting files as needed.

Step 4: Apply the v1.40 patch

Now you need to apply the 1.40 patch. Download the 1.40 patch. Unzip it into your C:\MPS\ORION2 folder. Run it. Be sure to say yes to 'Create Desktop Icon'.

Step 5: Configure the sound (optional)

These settings apply to all XP installations regardless of what type of soundcard you have. Windows XP includes Sound Blaster emulations for DOS mode games. Do not use the setsound utility to configure the sound. Manually edit the files as indicated below.

NOTE: Some soundcards and sound drivers do not support DOS mode sound in XP. For some you may need to run a TSR or enable Sound Blaster compatability in the BIOS. Most AC97 cards will work well. Also, the game music may have clicking or static with some cards. I do not know any fix for this (try turning down the music volume in the game).

Edit the 'DIG.INI' within the C:\MPS\ORION2 folder. Change it as follow:

;
;Miles Design Audio Interface Library V3.02 of 18-Jan-95
;

DEVICE Creative Labs Sound Blaster or 100% compatible
DRIVER SBLASTER.DIG
IO_ADDR 220h
IRQ 5
DMA_8_BIT 1
DMA_16_BIT -1

Also, edit the 'MDI.INI' within the C:\MPS\ORION2 folder. Change it as follow:

;
;Miles Design Audio Interface Library V3.02 of 18-Jan-95
;

DEVICE General MIDI (Roland MPU-401 interface or 100% compatible)
DRIVER MPU401.MDI
IO_ADDR 330h
IRQ -1
DMA_8_BIT -1
DMA_16_BIT -1

Step 6: Configure an icon on the kali games launch bar (optional)

Next, open up kali. Right click the game launch bar (in the blank area beside the game icons in kali). Pick 'Add New Game' from the menu. Then select 'Master of Orion 2' from the selection window. Now in the Game Settings window, click the browse button. Browse to and Open 'ORION2v140.EXE'. Leave everything else as default. Click OK to finish.

Moo2v140 Patch FAQ

(last updated September 09, 2006)

Table of Contents

Preface

1. Purpose and audience for this FAQ
2. Acknowledgments

1. Installation

1.1. What are the requirements of the patch?
1.2. How do I apply the patch?
1.3. How do I configuring the Moo2v140 desktop shortcut?
1.4. Why only the DOS version?
1.5. How do I launch Moo2v140 from Kali?
1.6. How do I launch Moo2v140 from DOSbox?

2. Bug fixes

2.1. What are the bugs in the latest (v1.31) official patch?
2.2. What bugs does the v1.40 patch fix?
2.3. What bugs do you plan to fix?

3. New command line switches

3.1. What command line switches are there already in v1.31?
3.2. What command line switches have been added in v1.40?
3.3. How do I use the command line switches?
3.4. Who needs to use the command line switches in a multiplayer game?
3.5. What command line switches do you plan to add?
3.6. Why do the save games from v1.40 cause problems with the Map editor / Leveler?
3.7. How do the home system switches interact with each other?
3.8. Why does the galaxy map seem different in v1.40?

4. Playing over the internet

4.1. How do I play Master of Orion 2 over the internet?
4.2. What is kali?
4.3. Where do I get kali?
4.4. What game server to people play Master of Orion 2 on?
4.5. Why cant I find the MOO2 server?

5. Cheat codes

5.1. What cheat codes are there in Master of Orion 2 ?
5.2. Why do you plan to disable cheat codes in multiplayer games ?

Preface

1. Purpose and audience for this FAQ

This FAQ provides answers to frequently asked questions for the Master of Orion II v1.40 patch which I began writing in December 2003. The reason I wrote this FAQ is quite simple, a growing number of people keep asking me the same questions about the patch.

2. Acknowledgments

Thanks go out to all those within the Moo2 kali community that have very supportive of this project:

INver, Cybersaber, 4381, Skybandit, PK, NightWolf, RedDog, Siron, Alex-D and many others...

Questions and Answers

1. Installation

1.1. What are the requirements of the patch?

This patch requires the DOS v1.31 English version of Master of Orion II. It will not work with earlier versions, other language versions, or the windows version of the game. You should be able to patch a non-english version of master of Orion II with the english v1.31 patch and effectively convert it to the english version (which should allow you to apply the v1.40 patch at that point).

1.2. How do I apply the patch?

Applying the patch is simple. Just put the patch exe file into the orion2 game directory and run it. It will create a separate orion2v140.exe file. This is the patched game executable. It will also optionally create a desktop icon for you which you can use to launch the game.

1.3. How do I configuring the Moo2v140 desktop shortcut?

I would recommend that you use the patch to create a desktop icon. It is a shortcut.

1.4. Why only the DOS version?

I primarily play orion2 on the internet using kali. The windows version of the game does not play very well over the internet (to much lag).

1.5. How do I launch Moo2v140 from Kali?

Many players use a private server and the desktop shortcut to launch the game. Game lobbies are also an option and very commonly used by new players. Refer to the kali web site for instructions.

1.6. How do I launch Moo2v140 from DOSBox?

Setting up a DOSBox game can be more difficult than with Kali but the players tend to experience less lag during game play. The host of the game must use the 'ipxnet startserver' command in the dosbox window prior to starting orion2. All other players must use the 'ipxnet connect x.x.x.x' command (where x.x.x.x is the hosts ip address) in the dosbox window prior to starting orion2.

2. Bug fixes

2.1. What are the bugs in the latest (v1.31) official patch?

Leaders bug - The game will instantly crash when you attempt to view your ship leaders but have no ships.

Arti bug - This is a LAN game bug that occurs when you are the first player to arrive an arti system. You will receive the free technologies but the arti planet may permanently lose the arti planet special on the next turn.

Last race bugs - LAN games crash when a player presses the Last Race button. Also, it is possible to pick the same race picture as an opponent in multiplayer games.

Credit cheat - Under certain circumstances a player can both produce an item and receive trade goods (full amount) at a single planet in a single turn. This is an exploit used to generate large amounts of cash by some players.

Auto factory bug - The game can crash when you mouse over a building in the colony screen. This often occurs when you go to scrap an Auto Factory but can occur with other buildings also.

Cloned monsters - Under certain circumstances the combat round with a monster is ignored. Sometimes monsters or ships which were destroyed in combat are still alive after combat. This seems to be a network game problem only.

Cloned cship or opship - Sometimes a colony ship or outpost ship is not deleted after it is used to make a colony or outpost. It can be exploited to generate a very large empire in a very short period of time.

Soils bug - Quite often in the round that you produce a building which creates a food or production bonus, the bonus is not applied properly to all workers that turn. Moving workers around can result in all or part of the bonus being lost temporarily or even a game crash.

Retreat from battle field - Retreating from a battle sometimes can result in a game crash. It seems to only occur in LAN games when you retreat from the edge of the combat area.

Retreat with navigator - Retreating from combat can result in loss of your entire fleet if there is a black hole in the retreat path even if you have a navigator.

Travel distance/ETA incorrect - Travel distance and ETA are not calculated correctly in some situations.

Annihilation bug - Under certain circumstances, annihilation can result in a planet with zero population. It is impossible to invade or bomb. Also, if an invader remains in orbit of this system it can prevent the invader from entering combat at other systems as well. This can be exploited to create a permanent outpost.

Overpopulation bug - Under certain circumstances, it is possible to overpopulate a planet with androids or captured races. This can be exploited to create a super planet.

Not asked to land opship when cship is present - When a colony ship and outpost ship are present with your fleet, sometimes you will not be given the option to land your outpost ship. This seems to occur in systems with no habitable worlds.

Phantom missiles - Shooting down missiles can result in a missile stack with a quantity of zero. The defender can waste many defensive shots on them but these missiles cannot be shot down. The missiles will proceed to target but they seem to do no damage.

Stealth bug - Ships equipped with the stealth technology are still visible on the galaxy map by your opponents. They are visible at the same range as regular ships.

Cloaking and Phase Cloaking bugs - Ships equipped with the Cloaking or Phase Cloaking technology are still visible on the galaxy map by your opponents. Also, during combat only player #0 will have his phase cloak revert to regular cloaking after 10 rounds.

System Specials not shared - When two players arrive for the first time at a system with a system special, only one player will receive the special (such as rescued leader, money, or technology).

Evolutionary Mutation - It is possible to change some race picks that you should not be able to once you have researched Evolutionary Mutation.

Repeat build cheat - It is possible to cancel the production of a repeat build item after it has been bought. This allows money to be converted to stored production. It can be exploited to purchase expensive items by canceling multiple cheaper repeat built items over the course of several turns.

Tractors bug - Moving a ship while tractor beams are engaged can often crash the game. The crashes occur most frequently if one of the ships involved are off the screen.

Tech Trading bug - You cannot demand or trade optronics computer technology.

Stolen Tech bug - Some stolen technologies do not apply until you build a new colony or outpost.

Autobuild bug - Autobuild can be exploited to produce an item and trade goods in the same turn. The exploit is very simular to Credit Cheat.

Stategic outposts bug - Outposts are often destroyed in strategic combat even when the defender wins combat.

Time Warp Facilitator bug - Ships equiped with phasing cloak and time warp facilitator can re-cloak in the same combat round in which they fire weapons. This make the ships impossible to destroy.

Black Hole Generator bug - Black Hole Generator does not destroy ships when ship initiative is enabled. The ships remain immobilized rather than being destroyed on 3rd turn.

Immobilization bug - Ships are not immobilized by tractor beams or blackhole generators until the beginning of the next combat round. This allows them to move when they should not be able to.

2.2. What bugs does the v1.40 patch fix?

At present only leaders, arti, credit cheat, stealth, cloned op/cship, repeat build, cloak, phase cloak, tractors, blackhole generators, VESA, and last race.

2.3. What bugs do you plan to fix?

Hopefully all of them.

3. New command line switches

3.1. What command line switches are there already in v1.31?

The command line switches that I am aware of are:

/skipintro Skips the intro movie.

/monsters = num Sets the preferred number of monsters. Valid values are 0 to 255. Default is 255 which is random seed.

/nolog Sets a flag in the game that seems to never be used anyways.

/net = value Parsed but seems to do nothing.

/date Displays the version date and exits game.

/maps = value Parsed but seems to do nothing.

/seed = num Seed for random number generator. Valid values are signed long integer (-2147483648 to 2147483647). Default is 0. Seems to only effect first galaxy map generated and does not effect monster placement.

/saveset = value Something to do with autosave but seems bugged.

/saveset Something to do with autosave but seems bugged.

/quickstart Parsed but seems to do nothing.

/nosaves = value Parsed but seems to do nothing.

/stats = value Parsed but seems to do nothing.

3.2. What command line switches have been added in v1.40?

/nowh No wormholes are generated on new maps

/nobh No black holes are generated on new maps

/noorion Orion and Guardian are not generated on new maps

/noreport The report button on the diplomacy screen will be disabled preventing you from seeing what technology your opponent has. Also, Technology demands and trades are greyed out.

/droids All players start out with the ability to build androids (all 3 types).

/minstart The unoccupied planet closest to the sun in all home systems will be at least 2 production per worker and its gravity will match that of the homeworld.

/hugestart The unoccupied planet closest to the sun in all home systems will be huge and its gravity will match that of the homeworld.

/richstart The unoccupied planet closest to the sun in all home systems will be rich and its gravity will match that of the homeworld (this switch is ignored if /goodstart is used).

/goodstart The unoccupied planet closest to the sun in all home systems will be Ultra Rich and its gravity will match that of the homeworld.

/nosplint No splinter worlds unless there is a monster guarding it.

/planets = num Sets the minimum number of planets in all home systems to num. This value includes the home world. Valid values are
2-5 (default is 2). If you try a value outside of the valid range it will use the default.

/picks = num Sets the starting race picks points to num. Valid values are 10-14 (default is 10). If you try a value outside of the valid range it will use the default. Note: some screens in the game only show the first 11 race picks (it is possible to pick more than 11).

/nonebula When used the map is generated without any nebulas.

/nohousing The housing option will no longer be available from the build list so housing production will not be possible. Also, this switch adds +150% bonus to population growth. The bonus will be added into the growth formula exactly the same way that the bonus from universal antidote is.

/noscan This switch will disable the scan button in combat so that detailed scans of ships will no longer be possible. Only quick scans will be possible by mousing over the ships.

NOTE: the switches /minstart, /hugestart, /richstart, and /goodstart all effect the same planet. The effect is cumulative. These switches ONLY EFFECT ONE PLANET. ALL OTHERS ARE COMPLETELY RANDOM.

3.3. How do I use the command line switches?

You need to edit the properties of desktop shortcut. Just right click the icon and pick properties. Go to the program tab. On the command line add the switches you want at the end *(after /skipintro) with spaces between each and click ok.

NOTE: If you do not spell things correctly there will be no errors when you start the game. Your misspelled switch will simply be ignored. Also, Windows has a limit to the length of the command line. It will not tell you that you have reached this limit. It will just chop off some switches that are over the limit. You can reopen the shortcut properties and look at the command line to verify that the switches are not chopped off.

3.4. Who needs to use the command line switches in a multiplayer game?

With the exception of the /picks switch, only the host needs to use the command line switches. The switches from all other players are ignored (except /picks).

The /picks switch in a LAN game must be put on every players command line (if you do not put it on your command line then you will receive the default of 10 points). Each player can have a different number of race pick points. This will allow people to play with a handicap if the choose to.

3.5. What command line switches do you plan to add in the future?

Check my blog site. I usually post what I am working on.

3.6. Why do the save games from v1.40 cause problems with the Map editor / Leveler?

This issue only effected old versions of the patch. Please upgrade to v1.40b21 or later.

3.7. How do the home system switches interact with each other?

The home system switches effects add where possible, however they only impact one planet in the home system. For example:

/hugestart /goodstart gives a huge ultra rich planet

/hugestart /minstart only gives a huge planet

/richstart /goodstart only gives an ultra rich

3.8. Why does the galaxy map seem different in v1.40?

The /nobh switch converts black holes into stars. As a result, there will be a slight change in the galaxy quality (a few extra planets) if this switch is used.
Also, the home systems are improved slightly. This obviously has an effect on the overall galaxy quality.
The /noorion switch prevents the game from generating Orion and instead it generates a regular system in its place.
Also, the /nosplint switch converts splinters into gold deposits. There will be a slight increase in the number of gold deposit worlds if this switch is used.

4. Playing over the internet

4.1. How do I play Master of Orion 2 over the internet?

I recommend playing using Kali and Windows 98 as your operating system. This is the best combination that I have tried so far. There are also frequently several players on the Kali MOO2 server who enjoy playing games regularly.

4.2. What is kali?

Kali is software that lets you play LAN games over the internet. It supports DOS games well. There are many chat servers and game lobbies for players to meet and organize games.

4.3. Where do I get kali?

http://www.kali.net

4.4. What game server do people play Master of Orion 2 on?

Come join us on the kali ->MOO2 chat server (currently #138 in the server list). There are several regular players on this server to play with.

4.5. Why cant I find the MOO2 server?

Sometime you do not get the full list of Kali chat servers when you load kali. What you need to do is refresh the list. It may take several refreshes to get all 300+ servers on the list.

5. Cheat codes

5.1. What cheat codes are there in Master of Orion 2 ?

There are many cheat codes in Master of Orion II. The codes vary from version to version of the game. These are the codes that are scanned for in v1.31 and v1.40.

From Galactic Map:

ALT + EINSTEIN All research technology
ALT + MOOLA Add 1000BCs to your treasury
ALT + MENLO Current research completes next turn
ALT + ISEEALL Toggle omni race pick on / off
ALT + SCORE Show your current score

From the Colony Screen:

ALT + CRUNCH Finish current production item immediately.
ALT + TOGGLE All building will be available on the Construction Orders screen. Even those not researched.

5.2. Why do you plan to disable cheat codes in multiplayer games ?

There is no reason to cheat in a multiplayer game. If you want to cheat, do so in a single player game.



Lord Brazen's Game Review

Master of Orion 2 - Battle at Antares book cover
Master of Orion II: Battle at Antares is an epic turn-based fantasy strategy game which was first released way back in 1997. For those that enjoy games that are focused on tactics, strategy, and diplomacy, Master of Orion II is a good place to start.

Whether in the thick of battle or viewing a cut scene, the visuals were pretty impressive for its day. The 640x480 screen resolution is a little limited by today`s standards, but the implementation works well and it gives plenty of life to this classic series.

The basic premises of the game are to create an empire, develop technology, and eventually build an invasion fleet against rivals who are seeking to do the same.

Master of Orion II offers game play against up to 7 opponents. The game has excellent multiplayer support with hot seat, modem, serial link, and LAN games. You can choose any combination of human or AI opponents.

There are thirteen standard races to choose from but most veteran players design a custom race. There is a large array of race customization options available allowing players to customize their race to match their playing style.

AI opponents in the game are fairly challenging for new players and can be great for training. Ultimately however, you will find that confronting and defeating human opponents is probably the most challenging aspect of the game.

To begin, you start by colonizing several planets and begin slowly expanding your empire. Your livelihood depends on exploring the space surrounding your home system in order to locate inhabitable planets for you to colonize.

Your efforts should be focused on population growth as population will help develop technology and your fleets. A good rule of thumb is to develop 80 or more population in the first 100 turns.
Although it sounds relatively simple, many new players have difficulty understanding the importance of population.

Technology is researched like many other strategy games, with the player choosing how many colonists each turn to put into discovering the next breakthrough. Each technology grants the player new buildings, better combat technology, or diplomatic strategies.

Maintaining and upgrading your fleet with the latest technology may be the only thing that keeps you alive in the cold depths of space. Properly designed ships are critical to survival late in the game as conflict is most likely.

The one place where the game stumbles is in its ship design screen. Designing is slow and tedious. I would love to be able to load and save ship designs. It would make game play a little faster as manually designing them every game is time consuming and players often use the same designs every game.

The turn based combat is something I find difficult. The combat sequence can be extremely long as players often take their time deciding what action to take next. Strategy and Tactics are very important here.

Sometimes it is a simple matter of confronting an enemy from a greater distance. Sometimes, you will need to charge and strike a close distance. It is a game of keeping cool under the pressure and not doing anything that will give your opponent the upper hand. Small mistakes are often deadly.

The longer you play this game, the more it draws you in with its combination of subtle nuances and tough decision-making. Master of Orion II: Battle at Antares is possibly the best video game ever made. While there are a few small flaws, it has everything I enjoy in a video game which is why I still play it frequently over the internet today.

Game play: A+.

Presentation: A (The graphics and sound are a little dated).

Overall: A+ (Did I mention that I really like this game).

Copyright 2005-2019 Shawn Meunier