60 Second Preview of…

O.R.B. at E3 2001

The Specs

This is basically a 3D sci-fi RTS a la Homeworld, but with a bunch of rocks in the way. The map is a small solar system in which two planets sit on opposite sides of a sun. Outside their "solar-synchronous" orbit is a ring of asteroids slowly revolving around the whole system like a languid merry-go-round. These asteroids can be mined for resources until they're gutted, at which point you can build secret bases inside them. You can also power down your ships, land them on an asteroid so they're effectively invisible, and then bring them back to life for a surprise ambush once the asteroid has drifted closer to your opponent. The basic twist of O.R.B. is that it's just a matter of time before an asteroid right next to your home planet ends up right next to the other guy's home planet. O.R.B. will use resupply rules for each unit. Instead of line of sight, there are specific sensor rules that determine how far away you can see the enemy. A series of overlays on a 2D map of the solar system makes this 3D space more manageable, as does the option to pause the game and give orders.

The Speculation

Mark's Comments: I saw this game at E3 last year and then again this year. I'm convinced of its potential, that of being a better Homeworld than Homeworld. I know Strategy First tires of seeing this game compared to Homeworld, but don't think for a minute that they haven't played Homeworld extensively and have tried to ensure that O.R.B. will have a better interface and more interesting tactical combat. O.R.B. may even be a prettier game than Homeworld. Even in this brief preview I wrote "Homeworld" more times than "O.R.B.". I can see why Strategy First is tired of that comparison.

Tom's Comments: Who needs the "H" word? I've been looking forward to O.R.B. for quite a while, but I've had some reservations about whether the rock dance will work in real time. Having the current build demoed at E3 was reassuring. The asteroids move slowly and the game is built to minimize the harried feeling you get in real time strategy. And although the game can play in 3D, the asteroids, which essentially orbit along a flat plane, give the playing field a 2D orientation without constricting the game. What's more, the rocks give the map terrain that would otherwise be missing in a space game. What I didn't see at E3, and what will drive how well O.R.B. plays perhaps even more than the rock dance, is what kinds of units you'll play with. O.R.B. has a compelling arena, so let's hope the developers stock it well.