FreeOrion (a non commercial, community game project, under development)

Hello! "FreeOrion, an open-source game inspired by Master of Orion, is a turn-based game of epic space strategy that builds on the classic '4X' model by incorporating the nation-building elements of games such as Europa Universalis 2 and a versatile tactical combat engine. While its modular, open-source design allows for a significant degree of customization of the game engine and the story elements by the community, the FreeOrion team is dedicated to the construction of a living, breathing universe in a 'grand campaign' model."

Like the title already says FreeOrion is still under development. Currently we are in stage 0.4 of 1.0, which includes space combat model, ship design model and tech tree for both of the above. (Some design decisions for this stage have already been made together with some coding, but the stage is not yet complete even design wise. For more info about the 0.4 design see this document: http://www.freeorion.org/index.php/0.4_Design_Pad.) Future stages include things like: diplomacy, AI, ground combat, espionage, governments (SMAC-style) etc.

The active FreeOrion team, which has the necessary skills to keep this project moving, isn`t very big and so programmers (languages used: C++, Python, OpenGL and GiGi. For available programming tasks see this page: http://www.freeorion.org/index.php/Programming_Work), artists (graphics and music/sounds) and people who wish to influence the game design decisions on the forum (like me) are welcomed.

You can find more info about the project from here:

Main Page - FreeOrionWiki

This site has information about the programming work, graphics and art, music and sounds, licenses, past and still being developed design documents, screen shots, link to a site where you can download the game etc.

Here is also a link straight to the screenshots if you want to look at them first:

Screenshots - FreeOrionWiki

Also if you have any specific questions about some area of the game or want to contribute to the project, I recommend that you register to our forum:

FreeOrion • Index page

Personally, ever since Master Of Orion 3 turned out to be a disappointment for me, I have hoped for a project like this. And even though progress in this project is sometimes quite slow, the core team behind the project has my utmost confidence. In my opinion this is a once in a life time opportunity to create something that will hopefully be worthy of the Orion name. Even though we eventually might be forced to remove the Orion part from the name.

Also if you are interested in contributing, but are worried that you might have to read everything about the project written in not so perfect English as this message. I can tell you that there are native English speakers also involved in this project, so the project pages aren`t as horrible as this message.

FreeOrion v.0.3.12, a Mac OSX universal binary for FreeOrion 0.3.11 and a Linux binary for FreeOrion 0.3.12 have been relesed!

Recent major changes include things like a very early version of Ogre-based 3D combat tech demo (0.3.12), preliminary ship design screen and an early version of ship supply system. Various other game features have also been updated. More info about these updates and changes can be found here, together with instructions on how to get the combat tech demo up and running:

http://www.freeorion.org/forum/viewt...62b6c&start=15

The new releases can be found here:
http://sourceforge.net/project/showf...ease_id=660507 (0.3.12 Windows installer and Linux binary)

http://sourceforge.net/project/showf...ease_id=652545 (0.3.11 Mac OSX universal binary)

And finally here are some screenshots:

FreeOrion v.0.3.13 has been released for Windows, statically-linked Linux, and Intel Mac OSX!

Major changes since the last version include things like: Significant AI script improvements. AIs now explore, research, build ships, colonize and are aware of fuel range limits. Techs now cost nontrivial RP and turns, instead of 1 RP and 1 turn, which was previously the cost for all techs. Many translations have also been updated.

A complete list, quite a long one, of recent, significant changes can be found here:

http://www.freeorion.org/forum/viewt...=1220&start=15

And the new releases can be found here:

http://sourceforge.net/project/showf...ease_id=685272

FreeOrion v.0.3.14 has been released for Windows, statically-linked Linux, and Intel Mac OSX!

Major changes since the last version include: Progress on the 3D interactive combat system (not yet playable however), which can be tested during regular games by running "freeorion --test-3d-combat" or directly by running "freeorion --tech-demo". Transition from SCons to CMake. Resource meter growth is now +1 per turn instead of a much more complicated formula. The visibility system has also been completely reworked.

A complete (long) list of recent changes can be found here:

http://www.freeorion.org/forum/viewt...p=42955#p42955

And the new releases can be found here:

http://sourceforge.net/projects/free...sion%200.3.14/

Edit: And finally a couple of new combat related images.

Added a couple of new combat related images and updated the release note link to a more accurate one in my previous post.

FreeOrion v.0.3.15 has been released for Windows, statically-linked Linux, and Intel Mac OSX!

Major changes since the last version include: Planets now have only a single focus selection as secondary focus settings and the balanced focus option were removed. Scriptable species definitions have been added. Species now have names, icons, focus settings, environmental preferences, food consumption and effects associated with them. Various stringtable changes / updates have been made. Hull designs now have new backgrounds. The meter concept has also been modified.

A complete (long) list of recent changes can be found here:

http://www.freeorion.org/forum/viewt...=1220&start=20

And the new releases can be found here:

http://sourceforge.net/projects/free...sion%200.3.15/

FreeOrion v.0.3.16 has been released for Windows and Intel Mac OSX!

(Note however that if you're installing on a system that has previously run an older version, you may need to delete your config.xml or may get errors about missing font files. On Macs, you may also need to delete some files for the new version to run.)

Major changes since the last version include: The full screen turn progress window has been removed and the map now stays visible between turns. An encyclopedia has been added to the in-game interface, which shows information about game content like ship parts, techs, species, etc. Multiplayer games can now have AI and observer players. It is now also possible to have AI only multiplayer games with a human observer. There is also a new "Deep Space" starsystem that doesn`t have a star in it.

A complete list of recent changes can be found here:

http://www.freeorion.org/forum/viewt...=1220&start=21

And the new releases can be found here:

http://sourceforge.net/projects/free...sion%200.3.16/

There is also an official FreeOrion YouTube channel:

http://www.youtube.com/user/freeorionorg

that already has one (a bit dated) gameplay video, but will probably have more videos in the future.

FreeOrion v.0.3.17 has been released for Windows and Intel Mac OSX!

Major changes include: Multiple improvements to make the game more playable. The game now has space monsters, neutral natives on planets and a very basic ground combat system for capturing planets. A lot of little balancing tweaks were also made to enhance playability. New building and binary star variant star graphics. New sitrep messages. The game will now ignore old config.xml files, preventing some crashes after updating.

A complete list of recent changes can be found here:

http://www.freeorion.org/forum/viewt...=1220&start=22

And the new releases can be found here:

http://sourceforge.net/projects/free...sion%200.3.17/