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MoOving In: A Detailed Preview of Master of Orion III
PART 4: SOMETHING TO BE SAID FOR TALK (Page 5)
By Daniel Quick | Apolyton CS Co-Owner/Administrator

BEING PREPARED FOR RANDOM EVENTS
In Part 2 of this extended preview I promised a return to the 'SitRep' (Situation Report) screen in so far as 'Random Events' go. I intend to now make good on this promise by keeping it.

Random events are just that. Regardless of the frequency setting you select for them (see Part 2), you will come across one sooner or later in almost any above-fleeting Master of Orion III game. They are as their name implies: something that is beyond your control, positive or negative in nature and effect with a corresponding direct and/or indirect impact. Again referring back to Part 2, in more than eighty game turns only three came to pass for me. They all had a direct but fortunately positive impact. While they are random in nature, they do not go unobserved in your 'SitRep' reports even if you filter out all other 'SitRep' notice types. These filters are also addressed in Part 2 of this series. Your domestic policies, yet another previously discussed element, may have an indirect impact here as to the subject matter of “Random Events” is as close you can get to legitimately citing any involvement of your own in them.

As a final nod to this unpredictable feature, I will now talk about the said three 'Random Events' that came to bear on my race. Chronologically, this was the first of them: “[a] legendary entertainer has been performing for our empire lowering unrest”. If I had to respond in one word it would have to be excellent. If I could shower his name in praise, I would, but his name does not appear in the file. Bordering a markedly more powerful neighbour was seen as just cause for a few of my smaller settlements to occasionally break out in panic. Any factor that is able to help offset the anxieties that led to them in the first place was a welcome presence.

The next affair is an episode of a different sort. “During a symposium of scientists, an argument over research methods broke out. The arguments resulted in new ideas coming to light and an increase in our research”. With the exception of an ego or two, no harm appears to have been done. Last but not least, a third constructive incident: “[o]ur diplomatic abilities have been improved. The reported cause is a better understanding between races due to educational reforms”. For a savvy diplomat such as myself, this is definitely cause for a albeit muted celebration.

As I have alluded to above, not all 'Random Events' are positive in intent or impact. It is possible that a 'Random Event' for all its good intentions may in fact become a burden that would otherwise not have come to pass. The reverse is feasible as well, but admittedly not as much so. If you are the type to ignore the randomness of everyday life, you will likely not take kindly to the presence of 'Random Events'. All I can say to such individuals is to do yourself a favour and set the frequency on these to Rare. Conversely, if you fall (or think you will fall) in love with them, go all out and take the Frequent road.

The appendix that follows breaks down the options available to you when instigating a diplomatic exchange with another galactic empire in MoO3. To skip ahead to the “Closing Remarks”, go to the end of the next page. If you are thinking about passing on it, note that a not-before-touched-upon point is explored there.