Orion - The Joy of Map news

We're back with yet another update! We're getting closer and closer to a public beta. There is a date in our heads, but we need to get a few steps closer before we say anything about it to the public. Just know that it's going to happen and that it'll be sooner than later.

We're back with somewhat of a level update. We're going to talk about a few of the environments you will be able to play in on the first public beta of Orion.

We have been play-testing these levels for quite a few months now and we're still having a blast with them. We'll be doing another level update in the coming days around a very new level (late to development) called 'Glacier'. It's a huge map, the biggest of the bunch. It needs a few more days of work before you guys get to see it so you'll have to settle for the finished versions of:

Incursion is a level that takes place in Orion's largest desert mass. During a massive sand storm that can play two roles: Provide you cover (especially for aerial combat with jetpacks). Make seeing your enemy quite a b*tch.

This map features a huge transport bridge in the middle as well as two bunker outposts for the security check point. Two large bases for each team, one outfitted as a re-spawn area as well as an Armory. The other building is objective-related and houses the flags.

Incursion has a map specific feature which we are currently calling 'Lockdown'. Each team's objective building has a keypad that can be activated by its team members to perform a security shut down where the doors and windows are barricaded. The only way for the opposing team to gain entry is by hacking the keypad unit and disabling it to get inside. The keypads CAN be restored by its team members.

Geode is also one of the newer levels to the game. However, if you have been following Orion it shouldn't be all that new to you.

Geode takes place in a huge underground mining complex. There are three entries into each base area as well as a map specific feature where you can disable the opposing teams generator and shut off the power. This means the lights go out and there armories stop working until restored by a member of that team!

The map had featured 3 distinct make over's before we settled on this look as the 'final look'.

Reactor is our smallest map in the first public beta. It features some very intense close combat action. In our tests so far this map has been prevailed by the 'Support' class and becomes quite a competitive shotgun match.

We'll see what this map does for the public, but I have a feeling we'll offer a few small maps here and there for a closer and more intimate gun combat.

This is probably our oldest level that made it into the first public beta. This map originally created by Jenn0_bing received quite an overhaul as well. This map initially started out as a groggy / swampy night map and later became the pinnacle of nature elements on the Source engine. We spent a lot of time developing all of the nature elements of the game and this is the map that truly showcases them.

One of the oldest levels to make 'the cut'. This map has been around since the Incoming Source days, however, in a much different visual approach. This map has seen probably the biggest overhaul from its initial conception to the final product. I'll just let the pictures speak for themselves!

Anyways! We just wanted to poke out heads out and say hello again! Oh! Be sure to tell your friends we are currently looking for 3D Artists (props, small models), Character Animators, and Level Designers!

And join our forums for one last chance to get into the private beta!
Orion-project.net

Until next time!