MOO2 - 1.50 Patch

The 1.50 patch for Master of Orion II: Battle at Antares has been in development since early 2016. The latest version, 1.50.17, has just been released on January 19, 2020.
The patch, and more info about it, can be found here: http://moo2mod.com/

Everyone working on the project is a fan of the original

http://wccftech.com/e3-2015-master-of-orion-should-marry-the-best-of-the-originals/

"The decision to lessen the amount of technology one can research was because the original was perhaps a bit too complex, over-reaching and just overwhelming. There’s still a wide swathe of different technologies to enjoy regardless, and it should still prove pleasing to veterans of Masters of Orion. That, and it should be far more accessible overall. There are even some back-end changes that help you to choose a path you want to take. You can, of course, search through the entire catalogue and then choose a technology you wish to have in the future, and the system will highlight everything needed to achieve that end goal for you."

http://www.escapistmagazine.com/articles/view/video-games/conferences/e3-2015/14165-Master-of-Orion-Remake-Will-Be-a-Labor-of-Love-For-Wargaming

"Kislyi, who used Civilization as his MBA, fully believes that a good 4x strategy game can be educational. "I want my kids to play Master of Orion to make them smarter. Learning economy and how to manage a civilization will do that for you." No release date has been set for the game, mainly because the game is not one of Wargaming's tentpole franchises that needs to have a deadline. "We can afford to make this perfect," Kislyi said. "Everyone working on the project is a fan of the original, and we aren't going to live or die with this project. It needs to be polished and fantastic.""

MOO4 - Let us hope for Tactical Combat

Once you start colonizing planets, the way that you choose to grow and expand your race is up to you. If you get embroiled in war with another culture at some point, which you will, then there is an option of either simulated combat – which still lets you make attack decisions if needed – or tactical combat, which is much more hands-on. The tactical mode wasn’t shown in my demonstration, but it was clearly on option on the screen that they weren’t ready to talk about yet.

http://thekoalition.com/2015/master-of-orion-preview-the-remake-we-deserve

SimTex team involved!

[We went] back and contacted the original [SimTex] team. We brought in several of them as consultants. Their job is to make sure that we stay on point. We got the original producer, original art director, the original composer is doing the music for the new game, a couple of designers as well. So yeah, we've got people onboard that are very relevant to the process." Many of the old SimTex developers were stunned when Keeling tracked them down with consultancy offers for a new Master of Orion game. Some of them took him on a field trip to the old SimTex offices, which are on the same street as Wargaming's Austin location. The cradle of Master of Orion, it turns out, is now a mall restaurant.

http://www.pcgamer.com/wargaming-on-master-of-orion-this-is-a-passion-for-us/

Master of Orion Announcement Trailer

Masters of Orion Reboot Coming From World of Tanks Dev

Key members of original game's team are working on the reboot.

http://www.gamespot.com/articles/masters-of-orion-reboot-coming-from-world-of-tanks/1100-6427911/?utm_source=daily_updates_registered&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Master+of+Orion

Total Annihilation and Master of Orion are strategy game classics

"Total Annihilation and Master of Orion are strategy game classics," said Wargaming.net CEO Victor Kislyi. "Although it's too soon to disclose any details, we are more than willing to give a new lease of life to these games most of us grew up playing. It's exactly where our major focus will be."
(http://www.polygon.com/2013/8/2/4582218/wargaming-net-acquires-total-annihilation-master-of-orion)

Woot! Master of Orion IPs sold off at Atari auction

"Interesting to see Planetary Annihilation makers Uber go for Total Annihilation, and that Stardock bid on Master of Orion. Both are definitely in their respective areas of interest, but you’re in for a hard time if you’re bidding against Wargaming right now. Stardock didn’t go away empty handed, though – having taken hold of Star Control."

http://www.pcgamer.com/2013/07/22/total-annihilation-franchise-bought-by-wargaming-the-owners-of-gas-powered-games/

...and the winner is:
Master of Orion Franchise
Successful Bidder: Wargaming World Limited

Back-Up Bidder: Stardock Systems, Inc (hehe, they did hate tactical combat...so this seems good news for MOO2 fans...)

Master of Onion