TREK DEVELOPMENTS
We've made incredible strides and have exceeded even our own expectations. Modules such as NPC's, StarShips, WarGames DogFighting and many others weren't even scheduled for arrival until early 2017 with the loftiest projections, yet we are delivering them within Q4 2016.
https://youtu.be/_hXlNU-Khkk
VERSION 2.0
We've gathered critical information during Year One and we will be changing things up for ORION going forward. Originally v1.7 was expected to come next, however we made great progress internally and much of what was slated for 2017 is now coming 2016. This is extremely exciting considering originally v2.0 was tied towards the success of our Kickstarter but we are able to get it out regardless for our fans to enjoy.
WHAT ABOUT THE 2.0 BETA?
If the Kickstarter proves to be successful we'd attach this reward to another massive update, such as 2.X or 3.0. No reason to hinder progress and so we are continuing to march onward as much as possible on an internal level.
EARLY ACCESS
Early Access, by description, is a period for you to gather information, experiment with a variety of mechanics and systems, see what works, what doesn't and do more or less respectfully. It is a period to evaluate pricing models, content support models and overall feedback regarding game direction.
FRESH START
We need to ensure that any still-standing bugs/anomalies are eradicated and that players old and new start from a similar perspective. To do this we will be launching a full reset for all Accounts to coincide with the ORION Official Release. The reset *won't* include any purchases you've made at the Trek Store. The reset *will* include the following:
• Ion Currency
• Trek Credits
• Inventory/Gear
• Guardian Levels
• Skills/Progression
REWARDS PROGRAM
To supplement this for our early adopters we will be creating a Rewards system that will take into account all of their achieved progress to distribute appreciation. More details on this Reward System will be revealed as we approach ORION's Official Release! We appreciate everyone's help and feedback during this period of Early Access and will ensure that their invested time is respected. The more you accomplish leading up to the release the more you will start with.
REMASTERED+OPTIMIZED
We've revised and remastered most major systems and all regions in the game. This includes weapon mechanics, player movement mechanics and aiming mechanics!
https://youtu.be/fIkXIVUgy7Y
AIM-DOWN-SIGHTS
This was one of the most demanded features and we've heard and listened to you. We weren't expecting to get this in until 2017 but we worked hard to make sure it appeared for the Official Release!
https://youtu.be/jm6LBJGKWW4
PRE-CAMPAIGN & RPG MISSIONS
We will be launching with the very first Mission to see what players enjoy, what works, and what doesn't. We're ready and would love to update this Campaign monthly to create the planned "Annual Campaign" but this fully depends on support!
STARSHIP MODULE + FLIGHT MODEL
Another module that is going to debut early is the StarShip module. While confirmed for 2017 many hardcore fans may have likely heard David said that he wanted to do his best to get it out for the Winter Holiday. We are proud to say that the team has achieved this and we cannot wait to take to the skies with you over Winter Break!
https://youtu.be/4cu02qXJ-NI
WARGAMES MODULE
Not only will you be able to fly and roam about with friends to pass time but you can make things get a bit more competitive and take them on in a 24-Player FFA PvP mod called WarGames. This PvP mode, like the PlanetSide PvP mode known as Mayhem, rewards Players with ION Currency, Store Credits AND Experience/Progression! We like to make sure both PvE and PvP experiences reward the player experience as we know many prefer one over the other!
https://youtu.be/BFUY-5Z3lek
MAYHEM+ MODULE
We've completely reworked Mayhem including granting the universal evade ability of Power Jumps to ALL Guardians. This is in addition to the new Player Movement, Weapon Mechanics, Aim-Down-Sights and polished+remastered regions!
DUEL MODULE
Another module coming early will be the DUEL Module. This will begin as a 1v1 high-stakes tournament and has room to grow into additional and new experiences.
NEW GUARDIAN - "THE WARRIOR"
We are integrating the next Guardian (#9) to the mix and it is one of the most demanded! This is the Melee-based Guardian and he will have Ionic Energy abilities. We look forward to showing him off fully soon, just needing to integrate a few more mechanics and polish some others.
ION BLADE + MELEE COMBAT SYSTEM
With the addition of this Guardian it has required us to create a full-fledged Melee Combat System including Light Attacks, Heavy Attacks, Combos, Blocks, Counters and more. We will also be demonstrating this system and the full capabilities of it once it’s a bit more complete.
NEW PRICING MODEL
Earlier in 2016 we discussed Loss-Leader Marketing and the $1 pricing model. This had one requirement (volume, by accessibility) and this worked incredibly well for our first game, ORION: Prelude and a model we had tested for over three years. However it has not been as successful for our current game, The ORION Project.
We've learned a lot through the first year of development on The ORION Project and we will be using this gathered information as we better position ourselves to ensure that we are successful in the future.
We will be launching a new pricing model for The ORION Project coinciding with the debut of the Version 2.0 (Year 2) on December 20, 2016. If you'd like to save dollars we highly encourage ANYONE and EVERYONE to purchase ORION currently available on Steam while it is still in using the Year One pricing model.
The new pricing model (only affecting new buyers starting Dec 20, 2016 and any gift copies you may already have in your inventory once this date is passed) is reflected below:
• ORION (Starter Edition) $24.99
• ORION (Pioneer Edition) $49.99
• ORION (Elite Edition) $99.99
The pricing model for our first game, ORION: Prelude will also be changing*:
• ORION: Prelude (Starter Edition) $4.99*
• ORION: Prelude (Ultimate Edition) $9.99
SUCCESS & FAILURE
This game shouldn't even exist considering both ( 001, 002) failed Kickstarters. When any other Kickstarter fails the company take it as a sign of a product not being desired. They certainly don't honor a failed campaign like we did.
EARLY ROOTS
We've changed so much within the game in a single year. What started with it's debut on December 1, 2015 as 'Guardians of Orion', a retro-inspired Top-Down Shooter and later evolving into The ORION Project, one of our oldest designs here at Trek. For a full list of module additions and major system integrations:
• Third Person Module
• Top-Down Module
• First Person Module
• Social Hub Module
• Inventory/Gear Module
• Loot/Crate Module
• Crafting Module
• Wildlife Module (Dinosaurs/Creatures)
• Drone Module
• Mission Module
• Achievement Module
• Progression/Skills Module
• Statistics Module
• Leaderboard Module
• Customization Module
• Challenge Module (Weekly/Daily)
• Mayhem PvP Module
• Harvest PvE Module
• Survival PvE Module
• Gibs & Gore Module
• Fatality Module
• Local Co-op Module
• Play-Or-Pay Module
• Pet Module
• Starship Module
• WarGames (Dogfighting) Module
• NPC Module
• Campaign Module
• Duel Module
• Weapon Loadout Module
• Vendor Module
THE PROJECT
Now it is The ORION Project, a Sci-FI MMO RPG Shooter featuring Multi-Perspective (FPS, Top-Down and Third Person) and a variety of modules and gameplay experiencing including Social, Exploration, Cooperative, PvP, Dogfighting and more!
COMPLETELY REMASTERED
With creating what is basically an entirely new game there were many hurdles and obstacles that we faced including cameras and marrying systems together to co-exist. With the official release of ORION we've not only resolved these but also completely remastered, optimized and polished the entire experience. The game looks better, runs better and plays better thanks to the input and feedback of so many.
POST-RELEASE SUPPORT
We have plans to continually add to the incredible experience already present and this is evident by how much the game has evolved since it's first debut on December 1, 2015 as "Guardians of Orion". These new modules and integrations will all be contingent on the performance of the product going forward and the resources we will have on hand in order to re-invest.
WANT TO LEARN MORE?
We have a Twitch Live Stream scheduled to begin in 1 hour from the time of this posting. We will be playing a DevWIP build of ORION v2.0 and answering as many questions as possible. Tune in:
https://twitch.tv/dprassel