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Difference between revisions of "Master of Orion II: Battle at Antares"

From PCGamingWiki, the wiki about fixing PC games
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{{Infobox game/row/date|DOS|November 22, 1996}}
 
{{Infobox game/row/date|DOS|November 22, 1996}}
 
{{Infobox game/row/date|Mac OS|September 24, 1997}}
 
{{Infobox game/row/date|Mac OS|September 24, 1997}}
−
{{Infobox game/row/date|Windows|April 20, 2010|wrapper=DOSBox|ref=<ref>[https://www.gog.com/news/new_release_master_of_orion_1_2 New release: Master of Orion 1+2 - GOG.com]</ref>}}
+
{{Infobox game/row/date|Windows|April 20, 2010|wrapper=DOSBox|ref=<ref>{{Refurl|url=https://www.gog.com/news/new_release_master_of_orion_1_2|title=New release: Master of Orion 1+2 - GOG.com|date=May 2023}}</ref>}}
−
{{Infobox game/row/date|OS X|November 29, 2012|wrapper=DOSBox|ref=<ref>[https://www.gog.com/news/november_mac_game_update_12_new_additions November Mac Game Update: 12 new additions - GOG.com]</ref>}}
+
{{Infobox game/row/date|OS X|November 29, 2012|wrapper=DOSBox|ref=<ref>{{Refurl|url=https://www.gog.com/news/november_mac_game_update_12_new_additions|title=November Mac Game Update: 12 new additions - GOG.com|date=May 2023}}</ref>}}
−
{{Infobox game/row/date|Linux|May 12, 2015|wrapper=DOSBox|ref=<ref>[https://www.gog.com/forum/master_of_orion_series/changelog Changelog, page 1 - Forum - GOG.com]</ref>}}
+
{{Infobox game/row/date|Linux|May 12, 2015|wrapper=DOSBox|ref=<ref>{{Refurl|url=https://www.gog.com/forum/master_of_orion_series/changelog|title=Changelog, page 1 - Forum - GOG.com|date=May 2023}}</ref>}}
 
|taxonomy    =
 
|taxonomy    =
 
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/monetization      | One-time game purchase }}
 
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/monetization      | One-time game purchase }}
Line 35: Line 35:
 
|lutris      = master-of-orion-2
 
|lutris      = master-of-orion-2
 
|strategywiki = Master of Orion II: Battle at Antares
 
|strategywiki = Master of Orion II: Battle at Antares
−
|mobygames    = master-of-orion-ii-battle-at-antares
+
|mobygames    = 182
 
|wikipedia    = Master of Orion II: Battle at Antares
 
|wikipedia    = Master of Orion II: Battle at Antares
 
|winehq      = 139
 
|winehq      = 139
 
|license      = commercial
 
|license      = commercial
 +
}}
 +
 +
{{Introduction
 +
|introduction      =
 +
 +
|release history  = Updated versions of the game included a [[Windows]]-native executable {{file|Orion95.exe}}. This version was highly unoptimized and particularly laggy when playing multiplayer games.
 +
 +
|current state    =
 
}}
 
}}
  
Line 51: Line 59:
 
{{Availability|
 
{{Availability|
 
{{Availability/row| Retail | | disc | Disc check can be removed by copying remaining files manually and editing the config files to point to the installation folder.{{cn|date=September 2017}} | | DOS, Mac OS }}
 
{{Availability/row| Retail | | disc | Disc check can be removed by copying remaining files manually and editing the config files to point to the installation folder.{{cn|date=September 2017}} | | DOS, Mac OS }}
−
{{Availability/row| GOG.com | master_of_orion_1_2 | DRM-free | Also includes [[Master of Orion]]. Pre-packaged with [[DOSBox]],<ref>[https://www.gog.com/forum/general/list_of_gog_games_using_dosbox/page1 List of GOG games using DOSBox, page 1 - Forum - GOG.com]</ref> but also includes the Windows 95 executable. | | Windows, OS X, Linux }}
+
{{Availability/row| GOG.com | master_of_orion_1_2 | DRM-free | Packaged with [[Master of Orion]]. Pre-packaged with [[DOSBox]],<ref>{{Refurl|url=https://www.gog.com/forum/general/list_of_gog_games_using_dosbox/page1|title=List of GOG games using DOSBox, page 1 - Forum - GOG.com|date=May 2023}}</ref> but also includes the Windows 95 executable. | | Windows, OS X, Linux }}
 
{{Availability/row| Humble | master-of-orion-1-2 | Steam | Packaged with [[Master of Orion]]. | | Windows, OS X, Linux }}
 
{{Availability/row| Humble | master-of-orion-1-2 | Steam | Packaged with [[Master of Orion]]. | | Windows, OS X, Linux }}
 
{{Availability/row| Steam | 410980 | Steam | Packaged with [[Master of Orion]]. Pre-packaged with [[DOSBox]], but also includes the Windows 95 executable. | | Windows, OS X, Linux }}
 
{{Availability/row| Steam | 410980 | Steam | Packaged with [[Master of Orion]]. Pre-packaged with [[DOSBox]], but also includes the Windows 95 executable. | | Windows, OS X, Linux }}
−
{{Availability/row| ZOOM | master-of-orion-12 | DRM-free | Packaged with [[Master of Orion]]. | | Windows }}
+
{{Availability/row| ZOOM | master-of-orion-12 | DRM-free | Packaged with [[Master of Orion]]. Pre-packaged with [[DOSBox]], but also includes the Windows 95 executable. | | Windows }}
 
}}
 
}}
−
 
−
===Version differences===
 
−
{{ii}} Later updates of the game included a [[Windows]] 95 version of the executable, called ''Orion95.exe''. This version was highly unoptimized though, particularly laggy when playing multiplayer games. Many don't consider this a true Windows version because of this.
 
  
 
==Essential improvements==
 
==Essential improvements==
Line 70: Line 75:
  
 
===Unofficial patches===
 
===Unofficial patches===
−
{{ii}} There is an unofficial 1.50.18.3 patch (as of Feb 6, 2021) [http://www.moo2mod.com here] (includes a Windows-based launcher and optional mods).
+
{{ii}} There is an unofficial 1.50 patch [http://www.moo2mod.com here] (The patch includes a Windows-based launcher and optional mods). This patch is regularly updated.
 
{{ii}} An older fan patch, 1.40, can be found [http://lordbrazen.blogspot.com/2005/01/download.html here]. Also note that the digital versions have 1.40 pre-installed; info for reverting which back to 1.31 can be found [http://www.rpgcodex.net/forums/index.php?threads/can-i-revert-master-of-orion-ii-1-4-fan-patch-to-1-3-x.58222/ here].  
 
{{ii}} An older fan patch, 1.40, can be found [http://lordbrazen.blogspot.com/2005/01/download.html here]. Also note that the digital versions have 1.40 pre-installed; info for reverting which back to 1.31 can be found [http://www.rpgcodex.net/forums/index.php?threads/can-i-revert-master-of-orion-ii-1-4-fan-patch-to-1-3-x.58222/ here].  
 
{{ii}} Additional patches/mods (possibly obsolete) can be found [http://www.warmoo.com here], [http://moo2.nirran.com here], [https://web.archive.org/web/20061025215825/http://www.pkimperium.republika.pl:80/ here] and [https://masteroforion2.blogspot.com/2005_11_01_masteroforion2_archive.html#113077056491341497 here].
 
{{ii}} Additional patches/mods (possibly obsolete) can be found [http://www.warmoo.com here], [http://moo2.nirran.com here], [https://web.archive.org/web/20061025215825/http://www.pkimperium.republika.pl:80/ here] and [https://masteroforion2.blogspot.com/2005_11_01_masteroforion2_archive.html#113077056491341497 here].
Line 281: Line 286:
 
  |audio    = unknown
 
  |audio    = unknown
 
  |subtitles = unknown
 
  |subtitles = unknown
−
  |notes    = Retail - BraSoft.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/19990127122820/http://www.brasoft.com.br/produtos/masteroforion2/ BraSoft (archived).]</ref>
+
  |notes    = Retail - BraSoft.<ref>{{Refurl|url=https://web.archive.org/web/19990127122820/http://www.brasoft.com.br/produtos/masteroforion2/|title=BraSoft (archived).|date=May 2023}}</ref>
 
  |fan      =  
 
  |fan      =  
 +
}}
 +
{{L10n/switch
 +
|language  = Russian
 +
|interface = hackable
 +
|audio    = false
 +
|subtitles = unknown
 +
|notes    = Fan translation, [https://www.old-games.ru/game/download/get.php?fileid=13047&modal=1 download link #1][https://www.zoneofgames.ru/games/file/1425.html #2]
 +
|fan      = true
 
}}
 
}}
 
{{L10n/switch
 
{{L10n/switch
Line 291: Line 304:
 
  |notes    =  
 
  |notes    =  
 
  |fan      =  
 
  |fan      =  
−
}}
 
−
{{L10n/switch
 
−
|language  = Russian
 
−
|interface = hackable
 
−
|audio    = false
 
−
|subtitles = unknown
 
−
|notes    = Fan translation, [https://www.old-games.ru/game/download/get.php?fileid=13047&modal=1 download link #1][https://www.zoneofgames.ru/games/file/1425.html #2]
 
−
|fan      = true
 
 
}}
 
}}
 
}}
 
}}
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{{--}} Even with the fix, the mouse cursor in-game will not render properly
 
{{--}} Even with the fix, the mouse cursor in-game will not render properly
 
{{Fixbox|description=Add dplay.dll to the installation folder and set up compatibility settings|ref={{cn|date=July 2016}}|fix=
 
{{Fixbox|description=Add dplay.dll to the installation folder and set up compatibility settings|ref={{cn|date=July 2016}}|fix=
−
#Go to <code>{{p|windir}}\SysWOW64</code>
+
#Go to {{file|{{p|windir}}\SysWOW64|folder}}.
−
#Copy <code>dplayx.dll</code> and paste it into the game installation folder.
+
#Copy {{file|dplayx.dll}} and paste it into the game installation folder.
−
#Rename the copied file to <code>dplay.dll</code>
+
#Rename the copied file to {{file|dplay.dll}}.
−
#Right click on the ORION95.EXE file and select "Properties".
+
#Set {{file|ORION95.EXE}} tp run in [[Windows Compatibility Mode|compatibility mode]] for Windows 98 / Me, in 256-color mode and in 640x480 resolution.
−
#Go to the "Compatibility" tab and enable Compatibility Mode (set it to "Windows 98 / Windows ME"). Also check 256-color and 640x480 resolution.
+
#Run {{file|ORION95.EXE}}.
−
#Run the ORION95.EXE file to play the game.
 
 
}}
 
}}
  
 
===Corrupt graphics (Windows 95 version)===
 
===Corrupt graphics (Windows 95 version)===
−
{{Fixbox|description=Use palette fix|ref=<ref>https://www.gog.com/forum/master_of_orion_series/how_to_play_windows_version_success/page1</ref>|fix=
+
{{Fixbox|description=See [[Glossary:DirectX/DirectDraw troubleshooting|DirectDraw troubleshooting]].|ref=<ref>{{Refurl|url=https://www.gog.com/forum/master_of_orion_series/how_to_play_windows_version_success/page1|title=gog.com|date=May 2023}}</ref>|fix=
−
See [[Glossary:DirectX/DirectDraw troubleshooting|DirectDraw troubleshooting]].
 
 
}}
 
}}
  
Line 382: Line 385:
 
|windows arm app        = false
 
|windows arm app        = false
 
|windows exe notes      = Distributed with the official 1.31 patch; included in digital releases.
 
|windows exe notes      = Distributed with the official 1.31 patch; included in digital releases.
−
|mac os x powerpc app  =  
+
|mac os x powerpc app  = unknown
 
|macos intel 32-bit app = unknown
 
|macos intel 32-bit app = unknown
 
|macos intel 64-bit app = unknown
 
|macos intel 64-bit app = unknown
−
|macos arm app          =  
+
|macos arm app          = unknown
 
|macos app notes        =  
 
|macos app notes        =  
 
|linux 32-bit executable= unknown
 
|linux 32-bit executable= unknown
 
|linux 64-bit executable= unknown
 
|linux 64-bit executable= unknown
 
|linux arm app          = unknown
 
|linux arm app          = unknown
 +
|linux 68k app          = unknown
 
|linux executable notes =  
 
|linux executable notes =  
 +
|mac os powerpc app    = unknown
 +
|mac os 68k app        = unknown
 +
|mac os executable notes=
 
}}
 
}}
  

Latest revision as of 10:16, 28 July 2023

Master of Orion II: Battle at Antares
Master of Orion II: Battle at Antares cover
Developers
Simtex
Publishers
1996-1999 MicroProse
1999-2002 Infogrames
2003-2013 Atari
2013-present Wargaming.net
Mac OS MacSoft
Release dates
DOS November 22, 1996
Mac OS (Classic) September 24, 1997
Windows (DOSBox) April 20, 2010[1]
macOS (OS X) (DOSBox) November 29, 2012[2]
Linux (DOSBox) May 12, 2015[3]
Taxonomy
Monetization One-time game purchase
Modes Singleplayer, Multiplayer
Pacing Turn-based
Genres 4X, TBS
Themes Sci-fi, Space
Series Master of Orion
Icon overlay.png
Master of Orion II: Battle at Antares on HowLongToBeat
Icon overlay.png
Icon overlay.png
Icon overlay.png
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Master of Orion II: Battle at Antares guide on StrategyWiki
Master of Orion II: Battle at Antares on MobyGames
Master of Orion II: Battle at Antares on Wikipedia
Icon overlay.png
Icon overlay.png
Master of Orion
Master of Orion 1993
Master of Orion II: Battle at Antares 1996
Master of Orion III 2003
Master of Orion (2016) 2016

Master of Orion II: Battle at Antares is a singleplayer and multiplayer 4X and TBS game in the Master of Orion series.

Updated versions of the game included a Windows-native executable Orion95.exe. This version was highly unoptimized and particularly laggy when playing multiplayer games.

General information

Wargaming.net Orion Forums - Official forums, has a subsection for the original classics
GOG.com Community Discussions for game series
GOG.com Support Page
Steam Community Discussions
Realms Beyond - Has a subsection for the series (particularly the classics)
The Orion Nebula

Availability

Source DRM Notes Keys OS
Retail
Disc check (requires the CD/DVD in the drive to play)
 Disc check can be removed by copying remaining files manually and editing the config files to point to the installation folder.[citation needed]
DOS
Mac OS
GOG.com
DRM-free
 Packaged with Master of Orion. Pre-packaged with DOSBox,[4] but also includes the Windows 95 executable.
Windows
macOS (OS X)
Linux
Humble Store
Icon overlay.png
 Packaged with Master of Orion.
Windows
macOS (OS X)
Linux
Steam
Icon overlay.png
 Packaged with Master of Orion. Pre-packaged with DOSBox, but also includes the Windows 95 executable.
Windows
macOS (OS X)
Linux
ZOOM Platform
DRM-free
 Packaged with Master of Orion. Pre-packaged with DOSBox, but also includes the Windows 95 executable.
Windows

Essential improvements

Run in DOSBox

To improve DOSBox performance make the following changes to the DOSBox configuration file:

  • Change core=auto to core=dynamic
  • Change cycles=auto to cycles=max

Patches

The latest official patch is version 1.31, which can be found here.

Unofficial patches

There is an unofficial 1.50 patch here (The patch includes a Windows-based launcher and optional mods). This patch is regularly updated.
An older fan patch, 1.40, can be found here. Also note that the digital versions have 1.40 pre-installed; info for reverting which back to 1.31 can be found here.
Additional patches/mods (possibly obsolete) can be found here, here, here and here.

Source ports

A reversed engineered source port is available.

OpenMoO2

Game data

In-game general settings.
In-game general settings.

Configuration file(s) location

System Location
DOS
Windows <path-to-game> (mounted in DOSBox)[Note 1]
Mac OS (Classic)
macOS (OS X) <path-to-game> (mounted in DOSBox)[Note 1]
Linux <path-to-game> (mounted in DOSBox)[Note 1]
It's unknown whether this game follows the XDG Base Directory Specification on Linux. Please fill in this information.

Save game data location

System Location
DOS
Windows <path-to-game> (mounted in DOSBox)[Note 1]
Mac OS (Classic)
macOS (OS X) <path-to-game> (mounted in DOSBox)[Note 1]
Linux <path-to-game> (mounted in DOSBox)[Note 1]

Save game cloud syncing

System Native Notes
GOG Galaxy
Steam Cloud

Video

Graphics feature State WSGF Notes
Widescreen resolution
 
Multi-monitor
 
Ultra-widescreen
 
4K Ultra HD
 
Field of view (FOV)
Windowed
For DOSBox toggle with Alt+↵ Enter (see the glossary page for other workarounds).
Borderless fullscreen windowed
See the glossary page for potential workarounds.
Anisotropic filtering (AF)
Anti-aliasing (AA)
Vertical sync (Vsync)
For DOSBox use an unofficial build (see the glossary page for other workarounds).
60 FPS
120+ FPS

Input

Keyboard and mouse State Notes
Remapping
For DOSBox use the DOSBox Mapper (see the glossary page for other workarounds).
Mouse acceleration
Mouse sensitivity
Mouse input in menus
Mouse Y-axis inversion
Controller
Controller support
For DOSBox use the DOSBox Mapper (see the glossary page for other workarounds).
Controller types

Audio

In-game audio settings.
In-game audio settings.

Audio feature State Notes
Separate volume controls
Surround sound
Subtitles
Closed captions
Mute on focus lost
Windows 95 version only.
Royalty free audio

Localizations

Language UI Audio Sub Notes
English
French
German
Italian
Brazilian Portuguese
Retail - BraSoft.[5]
Russian
Fan translation, download link #1#2
Spanish

Network

Multiplayer types

Type Native Players Notes
Local play
Hot seat
LAN play
8 Versus
Online play
8 Versus
Via DOSBox IPX tunneling.

Issues fixed

"The program can't start because DPLAY.dll is missing" error (Windows 95 version)

Even with the fix, the mouse cursor in-game will not render properly
Add dplay.dll to the installation folder and set up compatibility settings[citation needed]
  1. Go to %WINDIR%\SysWOW64.
  2. Copy dplayx.dll and paste it into the game installation folder.
  3. Rename the copied file to dplay.dll.
  4. Set ORION95.EXE tp run in compatibility mode for Windows 98 / Me, in 256-color mode and in 640x480 resolution.
  5. Run ORION95.EXE.

Corrupt graphics (Windows 95 version)

See DirectDraw troubleshooting.[6]

Mouse issues (Windows 95 version)

Download this (Windows 2000) or this (XP and later).

Other information

API

Technical specs Supported Notes
DOS video modes SVGA A VESA wrapper for the LOAD VESA.COM error can be found here.
ExecutablePPC16-bit 32-bit 64-bit Notes
Windows
Distributed with the official 1.31 patch; included in digital releases.
Mac OS (Classic)

Distant World: Legends total conversion

A MoO2 total conversion for Distant World: Legends is also available here.

System requirements

DOS
Minimum Recommended
Operating system (OS) 5 6.2
Processor (CPU) Intel 486 66 MHz Intel Pentium
System memory (RAM) 8 MB 16 MB
Hard disk drive (HDD) 330 MB
Video card (GPU) SVGA graphics card
Windows
Minimum Recommended
Operating system (OS) 95, 98 XP, Vista, 7, 8
Processor (CPU) 1 GHz 1.4 GHz
System memory (RAM) 256 MB 512 MB
Hard disk drive (HDD) 330 MB
Video card (GPU) DirectX 7 compatible DirectX 9 compatible
macOS (OS X)
Minimum
Operating system (OS) 10.6.8
Processor (CPU) Intel Core Duo 2 GHz
System memory (RAM) 1 GB
Hard disk drive (HDD)
Video card (GPU) 64 MB of VRAM


Notes

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 File/folder structure within the installation folder reflects the path(s) listed for DOS game data. For the GOG.com release, file changes in DOSBox are redirected to <path-to-game>/cloud_saves/ even if GOG Galaxy is not used (this folder contains all redirected files, so some files in the cloud_saves folder might be temporary files or other files that do not contain saves or settings).

References

  1. ↑ New release: Master of Orion 1+2 - GOG.com - last accessed on May 2023
  2. ↑ November Mac Game Update: 12 new additions - GOG.com - last accessed on May 2023
  3. ↑ Changelog, page 1 - Forum - GOG.com - last accessed on May 2023
  4. ↑ List of GOG games using DOSBox, page 1 - Forum - GOG.com - last accessed on May 2023
  5. ↑ BraSoft (archived). - last accessed on May 2023
  6. ↑ gog.com - last accessed on May 2023