Closed Alpha 6 Begins Tomorrow -- Plus Weather and Questing!

Tomorrow at Noon (12 PM) US Central Time, we'll be kicking off our sixth Closed Alpha Test which will last for 35 hours. (Here's a handy Countdown to the start of the test).

If it's your first time in the Alpha

Be sure to check out the Getting Started Guide on the Wiki. There is now an in-game tutorial as well that you will see when you first log in on a new character, but the Guide is still worth reading.

You can download the game launcher here: https://community.orbusvr.com/t/alpha-game-client-download/1261?u=riley_d

NOTE: We updated the Launcher to v0.6 -- you must download the new launcher to participate in this test!

If you don't already have access to the Alpha, you can purchase access on your My Account Page at any time.

Welcome to OrbusVR, we're excited that you're here!

For our testing veterans

This test's feedback thread is here: https://community.orbusvr.com/t/alpha-test-6-feedback-thread/1733/1

The main focus of this test is the new Player Journal and the new quests that have been added to the game (more on that below), as well as the new weather system. The Patch Notes have also been updated on the Wiki with the full rundown of everything that's changed, including a few things we snuck in at the last minute.

Graphical Improvements: Sky, Weather, Water

We've made some graphical improvements to various parts of the game. In particular, the sky system has been redone to feature a more realistic skybox, including the addition of sun rays. There is also a more dramatic and interesting night sky filled with stars. It's also darker at night now, too!

Plus, the game now has weather! Rain, thunderstorms, cloudy days, and sunny mornings are all now possible for you to experience in the game world. Each area has a set of weather types that are possible for it to have, and you will experience the same weather as everyone else around you.

We've also re-done the water shader in the lakes and rivers in the game, fitting the style of the overall game world better.

Finally, some of the creatures in the Highsteppe area have been redone, and other new creatures have been introduced, including foxes and deer.

Questing!

We've done a lot of behind-the-scenes work to start getting questing and up and running for the game. The addition of the Player Journal definitely helps here, as it allows you to start taking on quests that are more complicated without losing track of your progress.

There are now 20+ quests to complete in the game, including Main Story quests for levels 1-4. Guardian Bart, Marcel Cenn, Chef Lethrow, the Witch of Mulbirth, and Bishop Roma are all now in the game and ready to send you out on adventures!

In particular, we would appreciate your aid in testing the in-game tutorial that begins at Guardian Bart in the training area above Highsteppe. This tutorial takes you through the basics of the game, including sheathing/unsheathing your weapon, accessing your Player Menu, changing your equipment, basic combat for Ranger, Warrior, and Musketeer, using your Player Compass and Journal, and more. If you're on an existing character, equipping your sword and sheathing it before talking to him will get you started off on the right foot. If you create a new character, you will start the game off in front of Bart -- just wave to him to get started!

The questing really starts to help the game begin to feel like a complete experience, and we hope you have fun as you begin to hear parts of the lore and story of the game. Enjoy!