[Loser]

MoM? What is that?

I had never heard, outside of this board, the idea that 4x is innately interstellar. Civ, as far as I know, was the first true 4X game, though there is no 'research' requirement in the four Xs, so Empire may well be the first. (Not sure about 'eXploitation' in Empire, though. As I recall, you just took neutral cities that were already there.)

How about the Might and Magic series. I have no affection for this game, but they too seems to fit the 4X requirements, the ones I can remember anyway.

Even Civ involves micromanagement, compared to any non-4X game on the market. I suspect that micromanagement is a symptom of a strong 4X game, as it may not be a requirement (see M&M and Empire).

In answer to thread's post: do not buy MoO3 any time soon. It is very disappointing right now. It is like seeing your kid sister, the one who was so promising, the one who excelled in athletics and academics and debate in Junior High, like seeing that kid sister drop out of high school, knocked up by her drug dealer, hooked on smack, dirty, hopeless, and coming to you for money.