Master of Orion
DOS - 1993
Download extras files
Manual, patch, refcard, demo and guide available
Description of Master of Orion
The first SimTex that puts their name on the map is also arguably the best games Steve Barcia ever designed in his short career. This is the 4X space strategy game that has it all: solid AI, varied alien races that require different strategies to win, innovative combat and technology systems, intriguing espionage model, and much more.
This game never leaves my hard drive since its first release, because of its immense replayablity and nearly inexhaustible strategic combinations. If you can play only one space strategy game, THIS is your best bet.
Note: Pictures of ships needed to pass copy protection are included in the manual file below, thanks to Anym and Bateau :) You cannot crack the game, because the game will detect the alteration and automatically makes it impossible to win in later stages. Devious programming by SimTex ;)
Review By HOTUD
External links
Captures and Snapshots
Comments and reviews
Binoid 2022-06-04 0 point
Interesting comment about not being able to crack the game or it becomes impossible to win. I cracked the game myself back in '93 and I've beaten the game many dozens of times since then at the hardest level.
Inigo Montoya 2020-12-10 0 point
This was also available for the Classic MacOS, before OS X. 4 floppies, you ran the installer on disk 1, is asked for each floppy in turn, and when it finished you had a ready to play game folder on the hard drive. Floppies and floppy drives are in short supply, I could swear I imaged them for archival, but that was 1995, not sure where it is backed up, have to search my old hard drives, if they work anymore, to find it. Graphics are virtually identical to DOS, but on any OS X up to 10.4, it runs in Classic, so no additional emulator/configuration needed.
JohnWhitehouseSol 2014-01-07 -2 points DOS version
AllSoftware can be Cracked silly people.
This is the nature of computer programs.
Artmoney for those who want to attempt to increase lives, ammo etc..
olly for those that want to change the source code on the fly...
though the second is more complicated and not legal unless you are working with your own or open source software...
Also those mentioning version 1.3 you could zip and email it to the mod maybe. SHare a little in todays world it would only tak you a minute. but thanks for letting me know. I Hat ebuggy software.
Moo ship ID link 2014-01-05 1 point DOS version
As far as this program goes, I've been playing it for years, and I've almost never had it crash, except once. You can prevent problems by, every few hours, saving the game, shutting it down and closing the DosBox window, then restart everything where you left off.
I think that the game just runs out of memory or something, but mostly it can run for a long time without any trouble. I always use Control-F12 until the speed is at least 30,000 cycles. If I don't do that, each turn will take a long time, which is unnecessary.
Anon 2013-12-18 -4 points DOS version
Trying to get the game to run. I've followed the DOSBox instructions word for word, but trying to run the game displays the message "Run INSTALL to configure ORION." I've run the installation and configured the settings maybe 10 times, and I don't know what the game wants, it just won't let me play.
Astro-Girl 2013-12-11 -3 points DOS version
v1.3 is much better as it can be completely cracked. If anybody wants it, leave a comment and I will contact you.
PSYKC 2013-09-03 2 points DOS version
I don't know the date of these comments or even if they'll ever be read. Today is Sept. 3rd 2013 and UpCycler I've saw a picture with ships but didn't read it cause I assumed it was helpful. Am looking into 1.3 before I try this download.
swampfox1 2013-07-26 2 points DOS version
This particular version is 1.0, it is infested with bugs. Go download 1.3 somewhere else.
hoops 2013-05-31 1 point DOS version
Mine wont run, It's saying that I don't have an EMS driver? I have no idea what this is, any help? thanks
Steerpike 2013-05-02 0 point DOS version
Below is a link to picture which has all of the starship names (needed intermittently to answer the security questions) It might be worth saving it as a file and adding it to the install?
http://www.freegameempire.com/games/Master-of-Orion/manual
Jorgusson 2013-01-07 0 point DOS version
I think it is, with CIVILIZATION, the best game ever. The sounds and graphics were stunned. I still like playing it - PSILONS or SILICOIDS ;-)
Rebel816 2012-11-22 1 point DOS version
Id love to be able to play this but it keeps asking for me to insert the floppy in the drive then hit enter lol.... Help please?
Branes51 2012-04-26 0 point DOS version
The best way to describe the MOO series is Civilization in space.
You choose a race, build ships, colonize planets, build facilities, manage the colonies, build starbases and battle other civilizations for control. Master of Orion is excellent as is the sequel Master of Orion II, but stay away from MOO III.
Max 2012-02-26 0 point DOS version
You don't really need the manual for the starship pictures. Just use Google images and search for "Master of Orion Ship Identification".
Max 2012-02-25 0 point DOS version
This game runs slow if you run it in dosbox as is, but if you use "control-F12" to increase the emulation speed to at least 20,000 cycles, it will run plenty fast, even in a huge universe.
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Buy Master of Orion
Master of Orion is available for a small price on the following websites, and is no longer abandonware. GOG.com and Zoom provide the best release and does not include DRM, please buy from them! You can read our online store guide .
Game Extras and Resources
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