MORE: A(nother) space 4x game looking for Kickstarter funding

[Martok]

Kickstarter site

Game site


(As is often the case, credit for discovering this project goes to Adam Solo over at SpaceSector.) 



I know we're seeing a virtual glut of space 4x games right now -- most of which have been disappointments so far -- but even so, I have to say M.O.R.E. looks like the most exciting entry in the genre I've seen in a very long time.  There's so much sci-fi gaming goodness here, that it's almost overwhelming. 

I hadn't even gotten halfway through the presentation video before I had my wallet out ready to pledge.  (Just watch it; I dare you to not get at least a little excited!)  Now here's hoping the devs can pull it off... 

Hello! We are an international team comprised of 12 people from Poland, United States and Germany.

We are interested in the cosmos, science fiction literature and films, and playing computer games — in particular, 4x (Explore, Expand, Exploit and Exterminate) turn-based space strategies. For many years, we have played various games, and we hoped that we would finally find a game which could trigger in us a syndrome, "just one more round ..... " However, for the last several years, nothing has been produced to fill that void.

We know that many people before us undertook an ambitious challenge to dethrone the ultimate game—the classic of the genre—Master of Orion 2. These games are not satisfactory for us, because the effect is that, sooner or later, we will continue to go back to playing the classic as most diehard gaming enthusiast will do. Now, we finally decided to create a production that would be a worthy successor and extension to the 4x games of the past. We want to expand the gaming experience without complicating it.

We do not want to create a game with just impressive graphics. We want to go beyond the visual and special effects and create a truly amazing gaming experience, drawing on the wealth of options. We will create a game that captures the real joy of outwitting opponents,planning long-term strategy, and fighting 3D tactical space battles. We want our game to become the next computer game addiction.

This extensive— yet easy to use —game will be written for PC and will have impressive, polished graphics which require a minimum screen resolution of 1280x720. Space battles will be fought in turns on a 3D map. The game will enable multiplayer capability with simultaneous gaming on LAN and on the Internet. It will also have online player rankings.

Galactic maps can be generated based on different settings resulting in 189 types of galaxies. Galactic maps will include:

    many types of stars (ranging from white dwarfs to red giants)
    different sizes of stars
    multiple star systems
    different types of nebulas
    black holes
    wormholes
    a galactic black hole

In addition, galaxy maps will have an option to switch to the information mode that allows the player to review more in-depth information. In our game, there are no starlines. The player will have complete freedom.

MORE will be visually appealing by using intuitive interfaces. Based on our basic game developing principles, we will enhance and improve the gaming experience. By providing an intuitive interface for each race, we will maintain that goal while providing each race their own unique interface design.

The game will be divided into nine chapters, similar to other 4x games. Each chapter provides standard functionality in conjunction with the design team's original ideas, rarely seen in games of this genre.

For example, a space yard is a solution that will be new to this genre, where users can design their own spacecraft. However, it will not be like most 4x games by placing items in predefined hulls . The game will allow designing of a spacecraft, and its hull will take place by making it from parts. This option provides users more freedom for designing their ships.

Space battles with vessels designed by the user will be conducted in full 3D and played in turns. This will be resulting in well-controlled spectacular engagements with an abundance of deadly beams, missiles, fighters and many other types of enemy attacks, such as suicide attacks or the possibility of ram hostile unit. We will, of course, introduce additional improvements to this part of the game, such as the ability to determine maximum time that players have to complete their turn.

Our universe, of course, will be inhabited by different races. It will be up to 20 completely different, exciting races, each with its own unique culture, interface, as well as its own unique military tactics!

Players will meet charismatic humans, blind to the rational arguments - orthodox religious fanatics Skitheli, Bruthas - warriors, beings for whom the progress of science is the greatest value - Zientzielari, and other representatives of typical science fiction races. However, in our game, players will also find races inhabiting the gas giants, collective minuscule insect races or a totally unique race of multi-mile creatures living in space - Hvaluri.

We will try to provide significant innovations in the gameplay without losing the spirit of Master Of Orion2. For example it will be possible for some races with telepathic abilities to calm, or even to tame space monsters. After discovering suitable technologies it will be possible to breed some types of those giant space animals and use them in combat.

Artificial Intelligence will be very challenging, with special emphasis on diplomacy and military alliances. As you gain hegemony in the galaxy it will become more and more difficult to expand, as other powers will team up against you according to the principle of Balance of Powers. On the other hand if you are of medium strength you will receive a proposal to collaborate against the strongest empire. Weaklings will probably perish quickly.

Alliances will offer a wide range of options for cooperation. There will be trade treaties, research treaties and more. It will be possible to designate spheres of influence to avoid future tensions with your ally. You will be able to lend your fleets to your allies for a predetermined period of time. Similarly, your allies will be able to lend fleets to you - you will control them completely during that period. It will even be possible to lend your fleet in exchange for credits, research points or even star systems, so you can use your fleet as mercenaries. Members of a military alliance will coordinate their actions against common enemy – your AI allies will inform you about their planned attacks, suggest targets and time of action for you, and even accept your suggestions in that matter.

Whether your allies comply with the treaties or not will depend on many factors: your stance among the powers of the galaxy, your reputation, allies' character and belligerence. Some races will be xenophobic, unwilling to enter treaties with anyone. Others will be nationalistic and dislike anyone who has control over members of their race. Some will dislike certain forms of government or will frown at you if you try to develop certain types of technology.

Management of your vast empire will be possible through innovative approach unseen in other games of the genre. We will not rely on automatization of processes, which in time reduces gameplay to mere next-turn clicking. Instead, you will be able to discover and develop technologies assisting in management. As your empire grows and science progresses, you will be able to merge colonies of one star system into a supercolony called Dysonian Sphere. After further expansions and scientific developments, it will become possible even for these supercolonies (if they are close to each other) to be merged into clusters managed as one entity. Such clusters will have enormous industrial and scientific potential and will be able to produce spaceships of truly epic design, capable of destroying whole star systems.


"MORE" will also pay special attention to such gaming aspects as mineral extraction, food transportation, raw materials, and people. It will contain leaders of the colonies, ship captains, spy masters, and complex technology trees  with a separate department of science, designed for the particular civilization.

We hope that what you have seen thus far demonstrates that even though we are not from a large well-known studio, we have the capability and desire to create a professional, appealing computer game. Our team consists of 12 individuals with a mean age of 28 with advanced degrees in computer sciences and associated software development disciplines. Our team also contains IT and art students. We have talented programmers, great 2D graphic designers, wonderful musicians, which on a daily basis create wonderful content for this game. Our 3D graphic designers cannot wait that instead of creating boring visualization of another housing, they we will be able to create spaceships and other three-dimensional objects.

This project is supervised by a person who has, for many years, run his own business and other enterprises. Our team is composed of close-knit friends. We know that we are capable of developing and delivering on this gaming idea. We have the passion, skill, and fresh, excellent ideas with a clear vision for something bigger! We are determined to succeed, thanks to our exceedingly high motivation. We take this Kickstarter project very seriously, and we want to approach the subject with considerable professionalism.

Each of us is passionate about the universe, 4x games, movies, and science fiction literature. Among us are PC game enthusiasts for such games as Master of Orion, Sins of Solar Empire, Space Empires, Endless Space and Galactic Civilizations. We appreciate movies like Star Trek, Battlestar Galactica, StarGate, StarGate Atlantis, Babylon 5, StarWars, and the literature of Stanislaw Lem, David Weber, Frank Herbert, and Isaac Asimov.

For many years, we dreamed about playing a truly great successor to the classic space strategy game. Now, we want to create such a game for every science fiction gaming enthusiast. The idea of ​​creating our game is not due to time, but it is a mature concept which has slowly formed in us for 10 years. It took several years before we discovered that our skills, talents, experience, and creativity can enable us to meet this ambitious challenge.

We started to create this game four months ago. We have managed to create a 200-page dossier describing the game, hundreds of artworks, dozens of 3D models and several animation cells. The project, which we want to develop, is very ambitious. So, in this short presentation, we are not able to show you all of our ideas. However, we want to show you a taste of what we can create for this game and let you decide whether to support us.

More info and our work progress can be seen on our product website http://www.morethegame.com/

The only thing that stands in the way is lack of finances. This is our only limitation. Once we overcome this obstacle, we will have made a polished game. Therefore, we need your financial support. Our planned budget is $50,000, and these funds will allow us to finish this project. Furthermore, we invest in this game, our own money and time.

We want to reward you for your support of our idea at this early stage. In return, we offer you game keys in promotional prices and other bonuses, which can be found on the right. Now for $10 you will receive the product, which will have a standard price of $20. Buying it at this moment, you not only support us and make possible for this game to be created, but you will save your money and receive other bonuses!

Your support will enable us to purchase the necessary commercial software licenses, pay for remaining work schedules, musicians, and programmers. The more we will cross our defined budget, the more we will be able to give you an even more polished product.

MORE will probably be released in the Winter 2013. Do you want an excellent, modern space 4x turn-based strategy game? Do You Want MORE? Together We Can Make It Happen!


[Anguille]

Excellent!

[Shelldrake]

Sounds promising. A game that is essentially MOO2 with updated graphics and MP options is just what I am looking for.

[steve58]

Sounds great.  I missed out on the StarDrive kickstart (kept hesitating), but I think I'll go in on MORE...

[son_of_montfort]

Will be interested to see if it hits the $50k goal. It SHOULD, given it has made over $1,000 a day, but these things can flag late in the game. I'm not big on the art, but the ideas look cool. I'm a sucker for KS projects, so it will be hard to say no.

[steve58]

Just pulled the plug and I'm in for $20...

[Martok]

Yeah, that's what I kicked in too.  I want in on the beta this time! 

[steve58]

They're almost to their goal of $50,000 and still 25 days to go.

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1447560584/more-oldschool-turn-based-4x-space-strategy-game

[steve58]

MORE just hit their $50,000 goal...

[steve58]

I still get an occasional update about this one.  Still not sure it will ever get officially released, but they are working on it and its not looking too bad.  But still in pre-alpha after 5.5 years...???

Just saw this update on the kickstarter site:

M.O.R.E. will be completed and released at the end of the year, you can be sure of it :) And before that, you can expect a beta release late summer, and alpha even sooner!

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1447560584/more-oldschool-turn-based-4x-space-strategy-game/comments