In the world of video games, where innovation and creativity reign supreme, Orbitals stands out as a shining example of what can be achieved when a passionate team of developers and artists come together. This co-op anime adventure, crafted by Shapefarm and Kepler Interactive, is a testament to the power of collaboration and the magic that can be unleashed when a group of individuals with a shared vision work towards a common goal. The Orbitals team, led by game director Jakob Lundgren and creative director Marcos Ramos, embarked on a journey to create a game that would capture the essence of anime, both in its visual style and its storytelling. From the very beginning, their goal was to make a game that felt like a love letter to anime, a tribute to the medium that inspired them. The team's journey began with a small group of six people, but as they worked on Orbitals, their ranks swelled to around 50, each bringing their unique skills and perspectives to the table. The game's initial concept was a top-down view with robots running around the ship, but as the team brainstormed, they realized that they wanted to create something more. They wanted to capture the essence of anime, both in its retro aesthetic and its childlike wonder. And so, Maki and Omura were born, two characters who would become the heart and soul of Orbitals. Maki, with her energetic and enthusiastic personality, and Omura, with his calm and collected demeanor, were designed to complement each other, much like the classic anime dynamic of a hero and their foil. The team spent countless hours perfecting the characters' designs, ensuring that their clothing and hairstyles reflected their personalities while still adhering to the '80s anime aesthetic. The art style of Orbitals is a testament to the team's attention to detail and their commitment to authenticity. They wanted to capture the feeling of watching anime as a child, and to do that, they had to make some tough choices. They decided to deviate from some of the more authentic '80s anime elements, such as audio compression and saturation, in favor of creating a unique and recognizable style. The team's attention to detail extends beyond the characters and into the game's cutscenes, which were brought to life through a collaboration with Studio Massket. The studio, known for its work on big projects like Attack on Titan and One Punch Man, brought its expertise in traditional hand-drawn animation to Orbitals, resulting in stunning 2D paintings that bring the game's world to life. The collaboration between Shapefarm and Studio Massket was a success, with the two teams sharing knowledge and assets, resulting in a seamless blend of gameplay and cutscenes. The game's development was not without its challenges, however. The team had to navigate the complexities of two very different pipelines, and they had to find a way to marry the default Unreal Engine with their unique art style. But through hard work and dedication, they were able to create a rendering pipeline that supports the game's art style and sets it apart from other games in the genre. Orbitals is a game that is filled with tiny details, from the animations of Maki and Omura to the cutscenes brought to life by Studio Massket. The team's passion for these small details is what makes Orbitals so special, and it's what will keep players engaged and coming back for more. In the end, Orbitals is a game that captures the essence of anime, both in its visual style and its storytelling. It's a game that is a labor of love, a testament to the power of collaboration and the magic that can be unleashed when a group of individuals with a shared vision work towards a common goal. And as the team continues to refine and improve the game, they are confident that Orbitals will become a beloved classic, a game that will be enjoyed by players for years to come.
