ORION: Prelude | Version 10x (Now Available)
DANKIE
DOWNLOAD NOW
( FIRST PREVIEW )
Download and play the new version of ORION: Prelude right now. The first update in over a decade is now available after extensive developments. The First Preview is available to play for ALL Steam users.
ORION: PRELUDE
VERSION 10x
The new version of ORION: Prelude features massive revamps to core systems for an entirely improved game feel, graphics and performance.
- First-Person Gameplay 2.0
- Third-Person Gameplay 2.0
- Dinosaurs & AI 2.0
BUY @ STEAM:
DETAILS
ANNOUNCEMENT
CHANGELOG:
SCOPE & SCALE
WHAT IS THIS NEW UPDATE??
FROM THE 2026 Q&A:
SCOPE
When I decided to come back to ORION: Prelude there were a few core pillars that I was focused on in particular:
- FOUNDATION = FPS, TPS, Vehicles, Combat, AI. The stuff everything else sits on.
- COOPERATIVE = Large-Scale Action & Adventure.
- SYSTEMIC = Multiplayer, UI, AI, Combat, Content Pipeline. I needed to own the whole stack which means getting the project, files, backend and workflow into a state where fixes can ship quickly, content integrates and I am not blocked by any one thing.
SCALE
To set expectations honestly the first release will be smaller:
- The first release will ship likely with one game mode and one map
- It’s a new foundation built by me for you.
- It grows from there.
BASE DEFENSE CO-OP
SURVIVAL MODE
The first mode that has been revamped and introduced in the fan-favorite Survival game mode; otherwise known as BASE DEFENSE.
This is an objective-based game mode that has you protecting your Power Generator and Base against ever-increasing waves of Dinosaurs. Venture into the world and take over outposts, upgrade weapons/gear and unlock vehicles to achieve Victory .
>> TWO LAUNCH MAPS
The first two maps have been ported over.
These have both been updated and have higher fidelity than ever while still keeping performance in mind.
"The new graphics look great. Cant believe this is on a game as old as it is. Comparing the graphics from the original "ORION: Dino Beatdown" to the current EXPERIMENTAL is like night and day."
RAUPI
Valleys
ARID
Canyons
ULTIMATE EDITION
LAST CHANCE
6x EXCLUSIVE SKINS
This is your last chance to grab the Ultimate Edition DLC and the following perks:
- ALL 210 Progression Levels (70 per Class) are unlocked.
- ALL Starting Weapons are available via Loadout.
- ALL Store Items & Cosmetics across Hats, Sabres, Armor Shaders, Weapon Shaders & more.
ULTIMATE RESET (OPT-IN)
A brand new feature specifically for owners of the Ultimate Edition DLC is the Ultimate Reset. This is an opt-in feature where you can choose to reset your purchased progression aspects and level up manually. You will keep all of your unlocked Cosmetics and Store Items.
CEREMONIAL ARMOR BUNDLE
( SIX EXCLUSIVE SKINS )
- If you do choose to participate in the Ultimate Reset you will be instantly awarded 6 rare and exclusive armor skins, one for each hero across both generations.
- These are skins that will NOT be sold in the store or available elsewhere.
- You can choose to reset at ANY point now or in the future as long as you own Ultimate Edition DLC while it is still available.
// ULTIMATE RETIREMENT
The Ultimate Edition DLC was originally released over 10 years ago ( September 30, 2016 ) and will be retired with the official launch of the First Preview of ORION: Prelude v10x on October 25, 2026.
This is your absolute last chance to upgrade to Ultimate, unlock all of its perks and earn the Ceremonial Armor Bundle .
Read more:
BUY @ STEAM:
FEEDBACK SURVEY
SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS
There is a brand new Player Survey for the new version of ORION: Prelude.
https://forms.gle/GoVzAbU7rEbdM4tE7
Please take some time and share your feedback and thoughts via the Google Form:
- What you enjoy
- What you want to change
- What you want added
EARLY REACTIONS
Testing has been underway since October 1st.
Opening up via tiers such as Direct Supporters, Owners of Guardians of Orion & more. There have been daily patches for this process improving on reports coming and some of the early feedback from players on these early tests are shared below:
"The gun play in the current private version is frickin crazy"
"A frankly astonishing increase in visual fidelity far beyond what I'd remembered."
"We're literally talking about a 10-20% GPU usage increase for like a 200% graphics improvement"
"Smoothest the game has felt"
"Overall gameplay feels a lot smoother"
"To be honest, I know you said to play both for comparison, I played the new branch first because I wanted to judge the game based on whether it was good or not, irrespective of the original version, and now that I have both perspectives, I can say that this update is great"
"New menus are snappy AF"
"New Third Person is a universal upgrade"
"Mech feels good on tracks; good job on the update"
"Really appreciate this rework"
GAMEPLAY PREVIEW
NEW VERSION
The new version is now the New Default.
= This way you receive the updates and patches automatically.
You can still play the original version of the game if desired:
>> CLASSIC VERSIONS <<
STEPS TO INSTALL
- Right-click ORION: Prelude in your Steam Library and select "Properties".
- Select "Game Version & Betas" tab ( 4th on the list ).
- Select any available branch and let it download. • "Default" New Version (2026+) • "prelude2015" Original version of ORION: Prelude (2015 • "originalbeatdown" Original version of ORION: Dino Beatdown (2012)
[ Discord ]
The Discord is open to ALL fans of ORION, with a focus on poll voting, developer interaction and community.
Join today:
https://discord.gg/cY5XHC3
[ Patreon ]
The Patreon is 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. Many development updates are shared there, so if you want as much information as possible, take a look:
Support today:
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 Oct 25, 2026.
Open the original on Steam