June 17, 2002 - O.R.B, as described by the folks at Strategy First, "an acronym for Off-World Resource Base", but what does this really mean? Do you simply fly around and collect minerals, that is what a resource base is used for, correct? Not even close, as Strategy First's upcoming space based real time strategy game isn't just going to make a dent in the way space based strategy games are produced; it is going to revolutionize their development.

Developed and published by Montreal based Strategy First, O.R.B is set for release this August, after over five years of development. The first thing that came to mind after loading up the game was Homeworld; the popular space based real-time strategy title released several years ago. Many people may just consider O.R.B a clone of this title, something that is simply not true. O.R.B is unique, both in terms of physics and general entertainment value, something that clearly sets it apart from any other title ever developed for the PC.

O.R.B is based around the control of two races, the Malus and Alyssians, hated rivals fighting over the same precious resources in the system of Aldus. Little is known regarding the war that destroyed a powerful empire; these two civilizations were formed on different planets, both unknown of each other's existence until they came face to face while mining the same minerals. The arrogance and beliefs of each race didn't coincide, war was the direct result.

In an early preview beta of the title, we were given the opportunity to complete a single mission of the Malus campaign, a research vessel has been destroyed and you are on a mission of rescue and recovery. While scanning the debris field, you are warned by central command, Alyssian forces are on their way; it is finally time to see what this baby can do. As the Alyssian forces engaged, combat mode was set on each of the three vessels while they were placed into formation. Enemy forces approached, one of their vessels fell victim first, exploding in a fiery ball of debris. As the remaining vessels flew past at full throttle, another squadron of their vessels appeared on radar. Badly outnumbered, the great call came over the radio, "reinforcements are on the way", and that is when the battle heated up. O.R.B has the ability to appeal to a wide variety of audiences, anyone interested science fiction should have no problem adapting to the well-written storyline behind the title.

Graphics and visual detail is of core importance in primarily any title developed for a modern audience, and the artists at Strategy First have been known for producing some of the most detailed and beautiful visuals, detail that can surprise even the most avid gamer. O.R.B is no exception to this rule, the environments are of magnificent detail and the textures included are hands down some of the best ever presented in any title. The units are well modeled, although the some appeared somewhat simplistic in design. A variety of beautiful effects follow the same trend of exceptional detail, the explosion and shock wave as a vessel explodes into a fiery ball of smoke and debris, and the blue glare as a shield system takes damage from enemy fire are just a few examples. Although the game has been in development for more than five years, the graphics engine is not suffering whatsoever as it has kept up with the modern techniques and graphical standards, and surpassed them in a variety of different ways.

The challenges of developing a three-dimensional space real-time strategy title are many; several have tried, while few have succeeded. Many two dimensional grid-based real time strategy titles have been released in the past; there is just something about adding that third axis that is so troublesome. Maybe it is the navigational problems, or even the human perception of three-dimensions on a two-dimensional computer monitor, either way it is extremely complex and challenging to devise this combination. From the playable tutorials and the first mission in the campaign, although it only involved some close combat between fighters on both sides, the physics engine presented is one that looks to be coming along very nicely, built from the ground up by the developers at Strategy First. The interface is well developed and the controls are very simplistic in nature from what has been presented, players can move across the screen through the open space by clicking on a destination and holding the control key, or target and deploy a collection of vessels with the right mouse button, a simple system to complete complex actions. For the more advanced and experienced players, the preparation for battle takes a little more understanding and a more challenging control system, but it can be easily learned by anyone familiar with the genre.

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