ORION: Prelude | Dev Update #2
DANKIE
Development Update
I wanted to share some updates from across development as I get closer to release...
# 001
Player Count Update: 5 → 4
A design change is coming to the new version of ORION: Prelude where the player count is changing from 5 to 4.
This change applies to the new experience only.
I know many of you have history with 5-player Survival, so I want to dive into the reasoning behind this change.
THE WHY
The goal with the new version is a game that's easy to pick up and play across every mode, whether there are 40 people online or 4,000.
THE MATH
- A 4-player party can run Survival, swap straight into Conquest for open-world Co-op, then jump into the new PvP without changing a thing.
- Same group, same lobby, no waiting around to fill slots. The same goes for Gun Game and the other PvP modes.
WHY NOT 5 PLAYERS?
If Survival stayed at 5, going from Co-op to PvP would mean PvP modes need 10 players. That's a lot of slots to find and fill, and once you're in PvP it becomes next to impossible to go back to Co-op. That's exactly the kind of friction I'm looking to remove with this update. A squad of 4 splits evenly into 2v2 (or 1v1v1v1).
MOVING FORWARD
ORION: Prelude becomes more of a social party game: one squad that hops between Co-op and PvP seamlessly. When the goal is to load in and have as much fun and variety as possible with zero friction, that's better for everyone, including the players still enjoying it years from now.
It makes this a better long-term game, and that's what I'm building toward.
STILL WANT 5-PLAYER CO-OP?
The original 2015 version stays exactly as it is via Steam Branches, 5-player Survival included. It will always be there for you to enjoy, just as it has been for over a decade.
# 002
The Anky
When I first returned to development on ORION: Prelude, I was determined to try and get the Anky in as a new dinosaur. Because of the project's age, though, it has turned into a major time sink, especially on the content and physics side.
I won't be pursuing it going forward. Instead, I'm focusing on the systems, mechanics and features that tie into the pillars and ethos behind why I came back to ORION: Prelude and that serve the game better as a whole.
GOOD NEWS: The Anky (and many other dinosaurs) will appear in one of my upcoming projects, where the newer technology makes adding content and physics much easier.
GREAT NEWS: The first of many of these is the Squad Leader System:
>> Read more about the Squad Leader System:
>> Read more about Playable Dinosaurs V2:
# 003
Red & Blue
With the new update, ORION: Prelude's PvP teams are getting new names and new colors.
This is a throwback to many classic FPS games across Quake, Unreal, Team Fortress, Halo & many more.
In the original:
- Black Legion
- Purple Reign
In the new version:
- Blue Legion
- Red Reign
This color arrangement will be easier to read across maps/enemies.
Why the change?
It comes down to readability. Black and purple could be hard to tell apart in the heat of a match, especially against darker maps and alongside the game's dinosaurs and other enemies. Blue and red stand out clearly in every environment, so you can tell friend from foe at a glance.
It's also a nod to the games that shaped the genre. Red versus blue is a tradition going back through classic shooters like Quake, Unreal Tournament, Team Fortress, Halo and many more, and we're proud to carry it forward.
>> See you on the battlefield.
Discord
Open to ALL fans of ORION, with a focus on poll voting, developer interaction and community.
>> Join today:
https://discord.gg/cY5XHC3
Patreon
A brand-new outlet for fans who want to support development, with unique rewards including being listed in the game credits, playing early, private Discord channel access and more.
>> Take a look:
https://www.patreon.com/cw/DANKIE
THE NEW ERA
ORION: Prelude is back in active development.
The goals are simple:
- A better game across gameplay and feel.
- A more optimized game across polish and performance.
- An open development process worth following along with.
This is all on an existing game that you may already own. Every update and quality-of-life improvement goes to existing owners for FREE.
FREE UPDATE
The new version of ORION: Prelude in development goes to existing owners for FREE.
PRICING MODEL
The price of ORION: Prelude is increasing on October 25, 2026 from $0.99 to $9.99.
The Ultimate Edition DLC will be retired on this day; unlocks will continue to work for existing owners.
NEW GAME(S)
New ORION project(s) are in development.
ORION: Prelude @ Steam
How To Help:
- Follow on Socials [YouTube] [TikTok]
- Join the Discord https://discord.gg/cY5XHC3
- Vote on Polls to provide feedback
- Share with your Friends
- Leave a Review on Prelude
This announcement was originally published by DANKIE on Steam on Sep 30, 2026.
Open the original on Steam