Hey everyone, after a long time away I wanted to finally share something directly:
I've returned to ORION: Prelude.
The project never completely left my mind and neither did the community that kept talking about it, revisiting it and asking about it years later. Over recent months I started digging back into the code, systems, assets and original concepts. What began as revisiting old work around the 25th Anniversary turned into a decision to continue expanding ORION: Prelude.
I want to be realistic and transparent about what this means.
This is a passion project for me, not a massive relaunch and not a promise of huge overnight updates. The work is being approached carefully, step by step.
There are real limitations that come with revisiting an ancient engine: pre-PBR, DirectX 9, 32-bit, forward-based rendering. Updates have to operate within those constraints BUT the upside is that ORION will keep running beautifully even on modern low-end hardware.
The priority right now is consistency: rebuilding the foundation properly, improving core systems and sharing progress openly as it happens. I'd rather show you real work than make giant claims on aggressive timelines.
ORION: Prelude has always been ambitious: Massive sci-fi battles, dinosaurs, survival, co-op chaos and a high-octane sandbox. Even now, there's still nothing quite like it and there's something special here worth continuing.
"The Experiment" is something you'll be able to play sooner rather than later. Research and development is underway and I wanted to share a glimpse of what's in production:
The first-person module has received entirely new systems:
Look Sway (Mouse / Right Stick)
Move Sway (WASD / Left Stick)
Crouch Tuck
Composition & Framing
& more
= The original system had 25–40% on-screen coverage with zero reactive elements resulting in a stiff, static weapon feel.
= The new experimental systems occupy roughly 10% screen coverage with reactive elements tied to player mechanics providing a more fluid, responsive, smooth weapon feel.
The third-person module has received massive updates.
~ The footage speaks for itself:
= Stiff, janky and twisted.
= Responsive, punchy and reactive to your every input. Camera movement and animation fidelity have been dramatically increased. The current version feels radically different from the original. Almost like a perfect mix of Star Wars Battlefront 2 + Gears of War + Earth Defense Force.
Significant work has gone into improving vehicles. You'll see it first in the Penguin Scout Buggy with everything modified, revamped or rebuilt:
Physics
Speed
Boost
Handling
Steering
Weight
Camera
= Stiff, slippery and floaty.
= Weighty, aggressive and impactful.
~ It feels like a mix of the Warthog / the Batmobile and it's a ton of fun to use.
The ORION: Prelude you already know and love will always exist and remain fully available via Steam Branches. The new experience is coming in addition to it, not in place of it.
BRANCH
DESCRIPTION
"prelude2015"
= The existing version from 2015, exactly as you've known it for years. Always available to play, host and enjoy with all content as-was. (Currently identical to the Default branch.)
"originalbeatdown"
= The original 2012 launch build, back when it was ORION: Dino Beatdown. For nostalgia and game-history preservation.
I have a strong vision for the direction of ORION: Prelude and the untapped potential here is immense. To do this properly I will be increasing the price of the base game for new buyers.
Three things you should know:
Game Updates arrive FREE for every existing game owner.
~ Thank you for your support after all this time.
If you've been meaning to grab it or gift it -- this is the window.
Your support becomes the bedrock to take this project into active development
~ To deliver new, compelling updates.
Development is underway right now.
Previews are being shared regularly on the Discord.
Community polls are live and shaping priorities.
First up: The Experiment; the new playable preview build that is in development.
~ Then the goal is to expand from there and have some fun^^
Additional previews
Dev interaction
Poll voting
Early testing opportunities
& more
TikTok:
http://tiktok.com/@dankie.dev
Twitter:
https://x.com/dankiedev
YouTube:
ORION: Prelude @ Steam:
With Love,
PRAZ