Go behind the scenes with NCSOFT on the Orb, a new magic-based support/DPS weapon coming in the next major update. Orbs can be placed and remotely triggered depending on your situation. How will you take control of combat through this new playstyle?
Q: How did your team decide on the size of the Orb?
A: We spent a lot of time adjusting the size back and forth with each test, trying to find that perfect balance where the Orbs felt visually present, but didn’t interfere with the player's field of view. In the end, we arrived at a size that gives the Orbs a strong presence in combat without disrupting the overall flow of gameplay.
Q: How did you determine its abilities and mechanics?
A: The goal of the Orb goes beyond raw damage output. The Orb’s abilities and mechanics were built around the core concept of a weapon that lets players shape the battlefield and shift the flow of combat. Unlike traditional weapons that focus on direct damage or instant healing, the Orb was designed to function as a tactical tool.
With up to three Spheres, the Orb’s unique resource, players can protect allies, block enemy advances, and create openings for advantageous engagements. The effectiveness of each skill would then vary depending on the placement and number of these Spheres on the field. Through extensive playtesting, we refined the system into one that is easy to learn yet offers game-changing potential in the hands of skilled players. Another goal was to introduce a new playstyle that rewards not only quick reflexes and precise aim, but also strategic planning and strong team coordination.
Q: What was the visual inspiration for the Orb?
A: The name Orb was chosen because it perfectly captures both the physical form of a sphere and the cosmic energy concentrated within it. The visual concept was inspired by celestial gravity, orbital movement, and fantasy concepts where magical constructs have the power to distort space itself. We wanted it to feel like a conduit through which players could harness the power of the universe — both functionally and visually evoking themes of astronomy, galaxies, and warped space. With that in mind, we aimed to visually express that the Orb is not just a physical object, but a force that dominates the battlefield by shaping space itself.
Q: What was your greatest challenge in designing this weapon?
A: The biggest challenge in designing the Orb was creating a combat flow that balances offense, defense, and area control within a single weapon. A key question was how to make Spheres feel both intuitive to use and rich in strategic depth. We also aimed to build a skill shot-based playstyle that’s easy for newcomers to pick up, yet offers endless tactical possibilities for advanced players.
To overcome these challenges, we went through countless prototypes and playtests. As a result, the Orb has become a weapon that’s easy to start with but deeply rewarding to master.
Q: How did the Orb change from its original concept throughout development?
A: From the early stages of development, the Orb was built around a clear concept: area control and protection using summoned Spheres. We stayed true to this core idea throughout development, focusing on refining the details, from numerical tuning and skill synergy to visual effects, to elevate its overall polish.
As a result, the final version isn’t drastically different from the original concept. This reflects how clearly defined the weapon’s direction was from the start, and how carefully we worked to preserve and perfect that vision.
Thanks for your support! We can’t wait for players to experience the Orb firsthand when it releases alongside Housing, the Hyperboost Server, the Dimensional Trials revamp, and Battlegrounds as part of the next major update.