Orbis (video game)

Orbis
Valens and Monika, two of the main cast
Developer(s)	Aquila Nishizumi Gaming
Publisher(s)	Raidenco
Director(s)	Lyuben Borisov Hashida Rintaro
Producer(s)	Andrei Petrașcu Takashi Takebe
Designer(s)	Ștefan Albu Tsueno Nishizumi
Writer(s)	Petar Valentinev Laurențiu Croitoru
Composer(s)	Mihail Nikolayev Saori Kurisu
Engine	Unity
Platform(s)	Computer Mobile Console
Release	January 3rd, 2021
Genre(s)	Action role-playing game
Mode(s)	Single-player Multi-player

Orbis is an anime-themed cross-platform open world action role-playing game. Originally developed by Tengarian-Amathian video game studio Aquila based on Senrian role-playing games and other more recent successful titles, the ambitious project was purchased for publishing by Senrian company Raidenco, which brought in their studio Nishizumi Gaming to assist in production, making it an international project. It was initially released after three years of development in early 2021 as a free to play game across a variety of gaming platforms, although using the gacha system for monetization. More story content and special events continue to be released on a regular basis for free, as well as optional paid customizations and additional characters which can be rolled for through the gacha system.

Since its release, the game has been widely successful with a variety international audiences, which praise the game for its beautiful fantasy world setting including theological and cosmological concepts, well-written story and character appeal. However, the game has been criticised for introducing the gacha system into the RPG style and not releasing the complete game at once. Although monetarily successful on a variety of platforms, the mobile audience, particularly in Senria and Shangea, have been significant contributors to the game's financial success.

Development History

Aquila (Solarian for "Eagle") as a company was first a merger of two studios from Amathia and Tengaria which focused on doing fan translations of Senrian games, before eventually working to officially lisence Tengarian and Amathian translation. The studio began doing their own projects, primarily anime-themed. With several successful games under their belt, in late 2017 the Aquilan team began discussions for a massive anime-themed open-world game. They cited games such as the Mercenary and Legend of the Wilderlands. Production began in early 2018 for an ambitious large-scale open world game, however, without the resources to pitch it on a mass scale preparing a game, for studio instead designed a concept for presentation.

By July of 2018, Aquila had a working model for demonstration, and previewed their version at a convention in Keisei, with plans to try in Shangea or in Eastern Euclea if no buyers were interested. However, the exposition proved more successful than hoped, attracting the attention of several Senrian companies and international news sources. Eventually, the creators reached an agreement with Raidenco, who would take up producing the game and bring in their own studio, but keep the original creators as part of the creative team. This unique arrangement saw the project become multinational, with most of the writing and story efforts being focused by Aquila and most of the technical work and polishing being taking on by Nishizumi Gaming.

Despite the arrangement being beneficial for both companies, the studios soon found that they had disagreements about how to approach the gameplay and accessibility. The original project was meant to be a grand-scale SRPG, paid for as a single purchase; however, the producers at Raidenco instead wanted it to be monetised through a gacha system, with a free-to-play system to attract customers, including cross-platform support. Reaching a compromise, they agreed to adopt the monetisation model provided that the central cast of RPG characters would be preserved and the game would remained story focused. This agreement meant that project would result in more intense and expensive development and involved a lot more time, which pushed back the release date; the developers eventually agreed to ensure quality by having the full content and story of the game be released over a long period of time.

The game was widely anticipated for its release, making the producers confident that the game would perform well at the although some worried that it was over-hyped and would follow other game series which had great expositions but had ended up being critical failures. Fans who knew the beta version were also angered over the introduction of gacha elements to the SRPG story, marking the beginning in the divide in the fanbase between those who wanted a more "pure" game and those who wanted the gacha system. This tension also is relfected in the general attitudes between between Aquila, which wants story and character driven focus, and Raidenco, who want to introduce more paid elements. Generally, however, the two were able to compromise. Raidenco began engaging in an extensive marketing campaign prior to the game's release, introducing some of the characters as mascots for the franchise.

After nearly 3 years of total development, the game released on multiple platforms in early January of 2021, introducing the first region of Vetia and the major characters. The game saw lots of downloads almost immediately on devices across the world, becoming an instant financial success, and soon saw spread across not just expected regions of Senria and Shangea but also with fans in East Euclea and Asteria Superior. The availability on mobile phones made it especially accessible, and its free-to-play nature for a style of game which was usually a big-market console or computer game helped spread its reputation.

The studios have invested a lot of the profits from the game back into the game's development for future content and story addition. In addition to minor releases of new content and areas and more frequent events, the game has released three major updates where completely new regions have been added since its 2021 release- releasing Satsuma in June of 2021, XXXX on February of 2022, and most recently Mendemia in late July of 2022. There are expected to be at least four more major updates before the game reaches the end of its story.

Story

Setting

Orbis is set in a fantasy world which draws heavily influences from Teleology, Neotheocritism, Gnosticism, and the astronomical system of the ancient and medieval musica universalis. There is a recongised supreme being, known as the "Divine", however views on him differ between the different systems of belief as to his nature and purpose. Gods, known as Archons, are generally regarded as wielding special power from the Divine in order to rule over regions associated with an element. There are seven regions total, in order of appearance (descriptions taken from official game guide):

 • Vetia (Inspired by South-Euclea and Solarian Empire): "An ancient land which used to be united, but now is falling into decay. An Empire for centuries rule by twin Archons named Constans and XXXX, although several centuries ago a rift between the brothers divided the region into two realms at a hostile peace. Constans is regarded as a fair but harsh ruler who emphasizes “preservation” and “memory”, ruling a realm called “Aruia” with a strong sense of faith, duty, and intellectual tradition, and whose followers take the colour gold. However, all is not perfect, and recent suppressions of the Church of the One have sparked controversy. In Argentia, the realm of the "god of metal", fortresses are being built in preperation for a war against the Divine; there are those who fight against the tyranny of their archon, although his rule seems secure with dedicated followers who march under the silver banner. All it takes is a spark to cause the fragile peace to finally break..."
 • Satsuma (Inspired by Senria): "A feudal society of independent lords known as Daimyo with a strong-clan based and warrior based society, although in times of piece the combat is largely relegated to duels and bladework. Nominally under the control of the aura Archon, the Okabe Tenno, he does not take an active stance in ruling, instead using his court to focus on the patronage of art and culture. Recently, the ambitions of certain Daimyo recently have been increasing, especially with one who increases the centralisation of power within the Imperial Court and the nobles near the capital, and those who support the continued decentralization, but there also may be more sinister forces using the conflict to achieve their owns ends..."
 • XXXX (Inspired by Rahelia):
 • Mendemia (Inspired by the Asterias): "A land of storms and wide grasslands and plains, known for its horse riding occupants and cavalry. A collection of city-states of diverse peoples, and known for inventions and machinery. Unlike other regions, there is no visible archon, and the people are known for being fiercely individualistic and independent. However, legends circulate that the archon walks among the peoples, assisting from the shadows- but no one knows their identity, leading them to affectionately refer to them as ‘Incognito’. However, with recent movements causing dissent and unrest in the cities, some have begun to wonder if there may be danger to going it alone..."
 • XXXX (Inspired by Brown Sea):
 • Neige (Inspired by Eastern/Northern Euclea): "Neige is a cold and barren land, but has found that what it could not be produced by itself could be purchased for others. Notably, they are the first region to develop banks; it is said that the current Archon, Marianne, was the creator of the world’s first bank. The currency of Neige is the currency of the world, and merchants can be found across the world. However, this region is as harsh as its environment- to survive and thrive requires resource and cunning, as well as cold, uncaring money. But those with ambition and skill, no matter their background, may be able to carve a niche here..."
 • Huozai (Inspired by Southwest Coius): "The land of fiery passion and extremes Huozai was for centuries controlled by the mighty archon-warrior Shenjing, who had put down all rival gods and powers to establish a well-ordered and populous but despotic empire over various peoples. However, shortly before the events of the story, Shenjing was slain by an unknown agent or force, sending the realm into chaos. Various factions and authorities now vie for power as society has mostly collapsed, with several claimants aspiring to take the celestial power of the former archon. Caught between those wanting to restore the empire, those seeking to take power for themselves, groups that want independence, and those who just want to survive, the land of fire is now a land in flames..."