Seit dem 12.10.2011 gibt es ein neues iOS-Spiel, das mir vielversprechend erscheint: Starbase Orion!
Trailer
Die Entwickler sagen selbst, sie seien große Master of Orion II Fans und haben sich von diesem stark "inspirieren" lassen. Interessant finde ich auch den Ansatz, dass ein Schwerpunkt bei allen Konzept- und Design-Entscheidungen auf den Multiplayer-Part gesetzt wird:
"Vision" für Starbase Orion
Achtung Spoiler:If you are here for the first time, you just might be wondering “What is Starbase Orion?”. Up until a game is released (and sometimes even long after release as the developer continues updating the game), the answer to that question is a vision. The vision that is driving the development of the game, defining the goals of the game and shaping the design. The pot at the end of the rainbow. This post describes the vision I have for Starbase Orion.
Let’s get the obvious out of the way; I am a Master of Orion II fan. There are probably very few 4X strategy enthusiasts out there who are not. MOO2 just got many things right. Exploration was fun. Combat was tactical. The research tree was simple and easy to follow, but provided some great strategic decisions. MOO2 did so many things right that the many fans judge all new 4x space games against this one title.
The biggest disappointment with Master of Orion II is the multiplayer support. While it provides an incredible single player experience, multiplayer opponents are incredibly hard to find, and the multiplayer experience when you do start a game is lackluster. I am certainly not the first to notice this. There are many other 4X space games trying to make a great multiplayer experience, but they are attempting that by moving to some form of real-time gameplay. Sins is one of those games, and does the RTS pretty well. Others are going the MMO route where you click to build a ship and then have to wait many real hours until its built. Most of attempts at a multiplayer 4X have abandoned the turn-based experience.
I look back and see that I’ve spent a majority of my game time playing ladder matches in Warcraft III: The Frozen Throne, and more recently in League of Legends. These are real-time strategy games, but what they get right for multiplayer is more general than that. They provides an engaging strategic experience, make it dead simple to find other people to play with, the game designs are focus around short, multiplayer matches, and the typical well-played match lasts 40-60 minutes of game time. Long enough to have some great battles, yet short enough to get one or two in before bedtime.
This is the vision for Starbase Orion: to retain the classic turn-based gameplay of MOO2 while embracing the simplicity and multiplayer experience of these great games. Sure, there have been (and will be) some hard choices and tough design decisions to make this happen, but I am already very excited with the results. Hopefully you will be too!
- Rocco
Ich habe mir das Spiel dann mal geholt, vor allem weil mir die genannte Preis-Politik sehr gefällt - wer sich auskennt: Bei iOS-Spielen ist das sehr, sehr unstetig...Zitat von iTunesExplore. Expand. Exterminate. Can you defeat your friends and become the ruler of the galaxy?
Starbase Orion is an old-school 4X space strategy game that draws inspiration from titles such as Master of Orion and Galactic Civilizations. Lead your empire from the birth of its space age in Starbase Orion. Colonize new worlds, explore new horizons, and discover other players attempting to do the same. It is a race to the stars where only one empire can declare victory over the galaxy.
Strong Single-Player Experience
Compete against a battle-tested artificial intelligence. Our AI was derived from our entry in the 2010 Google AI contest, where it placed in the top 15% of thousands of competing intelligences. Go head-to-head against a single AI opponent, or ramp up the carnage with a 4 way free-for-all.
GameCenter Multiplayer Turn-Based Games
Starbase Orion was designed to provide a fantastic multiplayer experience. Launch the game, sign into GameCenter, and start a new multiplayer game. Play your turn, and you will be automatically matched to another player when someone else decides to play. No need to coordinate play times, seek out other players. Just go play, when you want and on your terms.
iCloud Support
Starbase Orion is built from the ground up for iOS 5. It supports iCloud so that your saved games are instantly available on all of your devices. Start a game at home on your iPad, then pick it up again the next day on your iPhone. Simple, streamlined, fantastic.
Universal - You bought the cool gadgets, go play on them.
Full support for iPad, iPhone, iPod, standard and Retina displays. Play when you want, where you want.
Choose Your Race, Or Create Your Own
There are five uniques races included; Human, Draske, Vass, Cyban, and Isather. You can also create your own custom race by picking and choosing between different race characteristics.
Intense Space Combat
Design your ships from a variety of weapons, hull, and systems. Send them into battle against the enemy. Give them orders, then watch the battle in unfold as they duke it out in the dark expanses of space.
Guaranteed Pricing
It is quite common these days to buy an app one day only to watch it go “free for a day” the very next afternoon. Starbase Orion is not one of those apps. We will have an opening sale with the price set at $4.99 USD. After which the price will be fixed at $7.99 USD. Starbase Orion will not be switched free at any time. We want you to be able to buy the app with confidence, and this is our guarantee to you.
Guaranteed Free Updates
We have a lot more planned for Starbase Orion. We plan to release all updates for free, without any hidden fees or In-App Purchases.
What People Are Saying About Starbase Orion
TUAW.com - "Starbase Orion is here, and it's glorious."
Ingame
Werde heute noch wahrscheinlich eine Story im Forum beginnen und berichten!