# Master of Orion

> 1993 video game

**Wikidata**: [Q1155454](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1155454)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Master_of_Orion)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/master-of-orion

## Summary
Master of Orion is a 1993 turn-based strategy video game developed by Simtex and published by MicroProse. It is a space-themed 4X game where players explore, expand, exploit, and exterminate across a galactic map.

## Key Facts
- Released on September 6, 1993, by Simtex and published by MicroProse
- Developed by Steve Barcia and his team at Simtex, an American video game developer founded in 1988
- Available on DOS, Classic Mac OS, Microsoft Windows, macOS, and Linux platforms
- Classified as a turn-based strategy video game with 4X genre elements
- Features single-player gameplay with computer keyboard and mouse input
- Distributed digitally through Steam, Humble Store, and Wargaming platforms
- Received a 79/100 score on OpenCritic from 19 critics
- Part of the Master of Orion series, with this being the first installment

## FAQs
### Q: What type of game is Master of Orion?
A: Master of Orion is a turn-based strategy video game with 4X (explore, expand, exploit, exterminate) gameplay elements set in a space-themed universe.

### Q: Who developed Master of Orion?
A: Master of Orion was developed by Simtex, an American video game developer founded in 1988, and designed by Steve Barcia.

### Q: On which platforms can I play Master of Orion?
A: Master of Orion is available on DOS, Classic Mac OS, Microsoft Windows, macOS, and Linux platforms, with modern digital versions on Steam.

## Why It Matters
Master of Orion is a landmark title in the 4X strategy genre that helped define and popularize space-based empire-building games. Released in 1993, it established many conventions that would become standard in the genre, including turn-based galactic conquest, diplomacy, research trees, and ship customization. The game's influence extends beyond its immediate success, inspiring countless successors and establishing a template for how players interact with vast, procedurally generated galaxies. Its combination of accessible mechanics with deep strategic possibilities made it appealing to both casual and hardcore strategy gamers, while its space opera setting captured imaginations and set the stage for the genre's continued evolution. Master of Orion demonstrated that complex strategy games could achieve mainstream success and helped establish the viability of PC gaming as a platform for sophisticated, intellectually engaging entertainment.

## Notable For
- Pioneering the 4X strategy genre with its comprehensive space empire-building mechanics
- Establishing the template for turn-based galactic conquest games that influenced countless successors
- Being one of the first successful space-themed strategy games to achieve widespread commercial success
- Creating a balanced system of diplomacy, warfare, and technological advancement that remains influential
- Launching the Master of Orion series, which became one of the most respected franchises in strategy gaming

## Body
### Development and Release
Master of Orion was developed by Simtex, founded in 1988 by Steve Barcia in Austin, Texas. The game was designed by Steve Barcia and released on September 6, 1993, by MicroProse, an American video game company founded in 1982 and headquartered in Hunt Valley, Maryland.

### Gameplay and Features
The game is a turn-based strategy title featuring 4X gameplay elements where players explore the galaxy, expand their empire, exploit resources, and exterminate opponents. Players can choose from multiple alien races, each with unique abilities and characteristics, and engage in diplomacy, research, and space combat. The game supports single-player mode and uses computer keyboard and mouse input devices.

### Technical Specifications
Master of Orion was originally developed for DOS but has since been ported to multiple platforms including Classic Mac OS (1984-2002), Microsoft Windows (inception: 1985), macOS (inception: 2001), and Linux (inception: 1991-09-17). Modern digital versions are available through Steam with application ID 410970, supporting Windows, macOS, and Linux platforms.

### Distribution and Reception
The game has been distributed through various channels including Steam, Humble Store, and Wargaming platforms. It received a 79/100 score on OpenCritic from 19 critics, with additional metrics showing 41% of critics recommending the game. The game maintains an active community with a subreddit (/r/masteroforion) established in 2012.

### Legacy and Impact
Master of Orion is considered a foundational title in the 4X strategy genre and spawned a successful series of games. It established many conventions that would become standard in space-based strategy games, including the balance between exploration, expansion, exploitation, and extermination. The game's success helped establish Simtex as a notable developer in the strategy game space before the company's closure in 1997.

## Schema Markup
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  "@type": "VideoGame",
  "name": "Master of Orion",
  "description": "1993 turn-based strategy video game developed by Simtex and published by MicroProse",
  "url": "http://masteroforion.com/",
  "sameAs": [
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  "gamePlatform": [
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  "author": {
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    "name": "Simtex"
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  "genre": "Turn-based strategy",
  "publisher": {
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  "datePublished": "1993-09-06"
}

## References

1. Steam
2. OpenCritic
3. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
4. Humble Store
5. [Master of Orion - Macintosh Garden](https://macintoshgarden.org/games/master-of-orion)
6. [PCGamingWiki](https://www.pcgamingwiki.com/wiki/Master_of_Orion)
7. DOSBox Compatibility database
8. Source