Master of Orion 2: 4 Open Source Clones Compared
FreeOrion, the only currently playable project among these, isn't actually a Master of Orion clone or remake — its own README states it's merely inspired by the MOO tradition and uses its own original assets rather than the commercial game's .LBX files. The other three (2ooM, OpenMOO2, OpenOrion2) are true clones that depend on the original MOO2 data to run, though none of them are currently playable.
Comparison table
Availability
- Status
- Playable
- Platforms
- Windows, OSX, Linux
- Play in browser
- No
- Mobile
- No
Project health
- Development status
- Active
- Last updated
- today
- Stars
- 1,042
- Contributors
- 132
- License
- —
- Engine
- —
Compatibility
- Requires original assets
- NoFreeOrion is an original game inspired by Master of Orion tradition, not a remake; uses its own original assets.
- Modding support
- YesSupports scripting capabilities via FreeOrion Content Scripts (FOCS) for customizing game mechanics and presentation.
Availability
- Status
- Unplayable
- Platforms
- Windows, Linux
- Play in browser
- No
- Mobile
- No
Project health
- Development status
- Sporadic
- Last updated
- 9mo ago
- Stars
- 29
- Contributors
- 4
- License
- GPL-2.0
- Engine
- SDL2
Compatibility
- Requires original assets
- YesGame data files from original Master of Orion II (*.lbx files) are required.
- Modding support
- —
Availability
- Status
- Unplayable
- Platforms
- Linux
- Play in browser
- No
- Mobile
- No
Project health
- Development status
- Halted
- Last updated
- 9y ago
- Stars
- 17
- Contributors
- 7
- License
- GPL-2.0
- Engine
- —
Compatibility
- Requires original assets
- YesRequires original Master of Orion II: Battle at Antares game release and its .LBX files.
- Modding support
- —
Availability
- Status
- Unplayable
- Platforms
- Linux
- Play in browser
- No
- Mobile
- No
Project health
- Development status
- Not tracked
- Last updated
- Not tracked
- Stars
- Not tracked
- Contributors
- Not tracked
- License
- Not tracked
- Engine
- Not tracked
Compatibility
- Requires original assets
- —
- Modding support
- —
| Title | FreeOrion | OpenOrion2 | OpenMOO2 | 2ooM |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Status | Playable | Unplayable | Unplayable | Unplayable |
| Platforms | Windows, OSX, Linux | Windows, Linux | Linux | Linux |
| Play in browser | No | No | No | No |
| Mobile | No | No | No | No |
| Project health | ||||
| Development status | Active | Sporadic | Halted | Not tracked |
| Last updated | today | 9mo ago | 9y ago | Not tracked |
| Stars | 1,042 | 29 | 17 | Not tracked |
| Contributors | 132 | 4 | 7 | Not tracked |
| License | — | GPL-2.0 | GPL-2.0 | Not tracked |
| Engine | — | SDL2 | — | Not tracked |
| Compatibility | ||||
| Requires original assets | NoFreeOrion is an original game inspired by Master of Orion tradition, not a remake; uses its own original assets. | YesGame data files from original Master of Orion II (*.lbx files) are required. | YesRequires original Master of Orion II: Battle at Antares game release and its .LBX files. | — |
| Modding support | YesSupports scripting capabilities via FreeOrion Content Scripts (FOCS) for customizing game mechanics and presentation. | — | — | — |
| Preview | |
Known limitations
- gameplay: Starting a new game is not implemented yet; only savegame viewing is available.
Frequently asked questions
Are the Master of Orion 2 clones on this page open source?
Yes — every clone catalogued here is an open-source project. Availability, license, and development-status details for each one are listed in the comparison table above.
What license do these Master of Orion 2 clones use?
OpenOrion2 and OpenMOO2 (GPL-2.0).
Do I need to own the original Master of Orion 2 to play these clones?
FreeOrion runs standalone, no original files needed; OpenOrion2 and OpenMOO2 require original game assets to play.
Which Master of Orion 2 clone is the most actively maintained?
FreeOrion is currently under active development, based on recent commit activity. See the "Development status" row above for every clone's current status.
See the full write-up for each clone, or go back to Master of Orion 2.