Monthly Sitrep - August 2018

The team behind Onward

- Dante, Creator of Onward

Whats your favorite thing to work on in Onward?
My favorite thing I like working on in Onward is choosing the environments and themes for each map. VR allows for players to experience scenarios and places they’ve never been to before, and I like that each map in Onward tells an interesting story. I also love to find ways to promote teamwork and strategy between players in game. Everyone should have a dedicated role that complements the other.

What is your favorite game? (besides Onward)
I can’t pick one, but my top 3 are Halo 3, Insurgency, and the Last of Us.

Which weapon in Onward do you like the most?
M16 with a red dot and AP rounds.

Which map in Onward do you like the most?
Bazaar. It was my dream map to play in.

What feature do you want added to Onward?
I’d love to increase the player count and have larger maps. I’m a fan of large scale battles in games like Squad and Battlefield. We’re going to continue to push the limits and see how far we can go.

- James, Programmer

Whats your favorite thing to work on in Onward?
I really enjoy prototyping and creating new features for the game. There's something extremely satisfying about coming up with an idea, fleshing it out and incorporating it into the game! Evac mode on Operations was extremely fun to get in the game, and remains my favourite PVE gamemode. Another thing I really enjoyed working on was introducing VR spectating (flying around) and the Observer setup which is used for casted matches. It's been incredible watching the casters use my setup to cover the VRML league and invitational matches and make it such a blast to watch!

What is your favorite game? (besides Onward)
The Halo series, Horizon: Zero Dawn, Soma, Destiny (1 & 2) and Ori and the Blind Forest. You can't make me choose!

Which weapon in Onward do you like the most?
SKS! With a suppressor and AP ammo!

Which map in Onward do you like the most?
Cargo! I was a huge fan of the old Tanker layout and was so glad we were able to bring it back into the game.

What feature do you want added to Onward?
I have a tremendously long list of extra things that I want to add to improve the observer (casting) setup! Also I've a few ideas for game modes.

- Patrick, Programmer

Hello! I have primarily worked on AI, the pickups system, networking, crossplatform and native Oculus support.

Whats your favorite thing to work on in Onward?
Most recently, I've been enjoying working with the pickups system we have. Redoing all the pickups (weapons, grenades, syringes) and interactable objects back for v1.2 made it a lot easier to make new pickups for the game. Adding bipods, drones, and the stun gun are some of the things I'm working on for the next update.

What is your favorite game? (besides Onward)
Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, but I've been playing mostly tabletop games lately (Pandemic, Mysterium, and This War of Mine). It's a nice change to step away from the screen after working and playing in VR all day.

Which weapon in Onward do you like the most?
M39 with a bipod.

Which map in Onward do you like the most?
Bazaar for PVP. All those alleyways and small rooms lead to a lot of fun moments of enemies being close together but not quite knowing where the other is.
Downfall for PVE. Good practice for long range shots, and pushing for the Evac point can be a good challenge running from cover to cover.

What feature do you want added to Onward?
AI was the first feature I wanted, and I got to add that! I'd like to experiment with some overpowered items for using versus AI; mortars, air support, rocket launchers. I like all the interactable elements of the machine guns and I'd like to do more pickups that have more interactable parts.

- Daan, Community Manager

Hi! My name is Daan, also known under the username MrDeath.

Whats your favorite thing to work on in Onward?
I've been really enjoying working on the Monthly Sitreps like this. Trying to get you guys some amazing information on what we'll bring in an upcoming update.
I also love to maintain community contact with amazing contests like the current one we're running right now.

What is your favorite game? (besides Onward)
Arma 3, but I have been playing RuneScape (old school) some more lately.

Which weapon in Onward do you like the most?
This is a hard one, if i'm in a small to medium sized map, I'd go for the M16A4 on MARSOC and the AKM on VOLK.
If i were to actually select a weapon on enjoying it the most. it has to be the M40A5. because it's super satisfying to get a long range kill with it on maps like Downfall and Abandoned. Not only to mention that its model looks amazing.

Which map in Onward do you like the most?
Some of you will probably have guessed it, Downfall! Although Abandoned might likely replace downfall as my favorite map >.>

What feature do you want added to Onward?
Better hand models, rigging these hand models and with these new hand models, support for gestures!

Update info!

Note that these following features are still in progress and are likely to change before release!

New map - Abandoned

Work In Progress GIFs

finally a way to clean yourself after hours of battle.

Stun gun

This is subject to change
The stun gun is a MARSOC only weapon for the Specialist class.
it costs one point and will only be able to shoot once! Reloading the stun gun will not be possible for balancing reasons.

The stun gun will instantly drop the target, making it possible to take him hostage or take his stuff without being as loud when using an actual gun.

Hacking

This is subject to change

Bipods

This is subject to change
Bipods are selectable for some weapons. The designated marksman can select the bipod for his weapons and the automatic rifleman class can select it too.

Drones

This is subject to change
Drones will be a MARSOC only tool for the designated marksman.
VOLK will be able to shoot down the drone.

The drones will be very loud and it's irritating sound can be heard across the map. This could be used as a tactical advantage.

other stuff

We still have way more stuff coming but we decided not to put it in the sitrep yet! make sure to read the sitrep for next month to learn about those!

This was the monthly sitrep for August!
The update is just around the corner, so keep your eyes peeled!

If you have any tips or suggestions for improving this series, let me know! You can contact me on either : Reddit, Steam discussions or the Discord.

Stay updated on Onward, converse with the community, test builds, and participate in organized competitive events by joining our Discord!

For additional information, visit our wiki.

I’ll see you on the field!
MrDeath, Community Manager.