Orbz On Way Out
by Deborah Braswell · in General Game Discussion · 03/19/2005 (9:20 am) · 27 replies
There are a few Orbz players still around, like me, that remember fun filled hours of non-choppy game play, without freezes or disconnects. The servers have gone downhill and, sadly, continue to travel in that direction.
If there is an Orbz 3, and if it really is released, is it going to be worth it? I am ready to throw in the towel myself. It has become more work than fun to try to play anymore and I can't see spending the money or the time on it.
I don't see, or hear of, or read of, any attempts or plans from GG or 21-6 to improve the situation. In fact, I see the situation continue to worsen. First it was just occasional. Now it is continuous and we have only 3 servers. ??? If this is the way the future of Orbz is going then I don't plan on going with it.
Downhill won't make anyone any friends, and not much money, I expect.
It would be nice to see things like they "used to be" with Orbz. But, I guess thats what all the "old timers" say.
texana
If there is an Orbz 3, and if it really is released, is it going to be worth it? I am ready to throw in the towel myself. It has become more work than fun to try to play anymore and I can't see spending the money or the time on it.
I don't see, or hear of, or read of, any attempts or plans from GG or 21-6 to improve the situation. In fact, I see the situation continue to worsen. First it was just occasional. Now it is continuous and we have only 3 servers. ??? If this is the way the future of Orbz is going then I don't plan on going with it.
Downhill won't make anyone any friends, and not much money, I expect.
It would be nice to see things like they "used to be" with Orbz. But, I guess thats what all the "old timers" say.
texana
#2
I saw 1 server with people on it, but it was passworded and I didn't know the password. There were 3 people on it. The rest, I saw 1 other human, who said nothing and left when I joined the server.
It's sad, because when I had that game and wasn't busy, I remember playing all the time . . .
If Orbz3 uses TSE, I'll buy it too. :) No doubt. Just make it rock, guys. Make it rock.
03/20/2005 (10:10 am)
I know that I recently had a HD crash on both computers over a 2-week period, and in picking up the peices I remembered my GG products! Thank God -- reinstalled them and went off to have a blast. But Marble Blast was a major disappointment.I saw 1 server with people on it, but it was passworded and I didn't know the password. There were 3 people on it. The rest, I saw 1 other human, who said nothing and left when I joined the server.
It's sad, because when I had that game and wasn't busy, I remember playing all the time . . .
If Orbz3 uses TSE, I'll buy it too. :) No doubt. Just make it rock, guys. Make it rock.
#3
I'm not blaming GG for the server lacking, but it really needs to be improved for me to be drawn into this game again. When the game is at regular speed (and not lagging), the game is brilliant. Absolutely brilliant. I just couldn't stop playing the game online. I would be playing hours and hours on weekends. If the servers get better in O3, I'll be playing that game every day. :)
03/20/2005 (10:33 am)
I just tried a few minutes ago to play an online game. My shooting lacked precision because the server was constantly lagging, and the screen froze continually. It was pretty much impossible to play a proper game for me, and I had to quit the game. I remember all the way back when I first bought this game, September 2003. It was a lot faster back then, and even most part of 2004. Very fast-paced. And that was what got me hooked on the game. Just a few minutes ago, I was expecting the same, high-adrenaline fast-paced gameplay I was used to, which I was wrong.I'm not blaming GG for the server lacking, but it really needs to be improved for me to be drawn into this game again. When the game is at regular speed (and not lagging), the game is brilliant. Absolutely brilliant. I just couldn't stop playing the game online. I would be playing hours and hours on weekends. If the servers get better in O3, I'll be playing that game every day. :)
#4
TSE is still EA! It is not ready yet for everyone. TSE is windows only right now. Why would anyone want to leave out the Mac market right now? TSE does not make a game awesome. Gameplay makes the game awesome.
03/20/2005 (10:45 am)
Luc:TSE is still EA! It is not ready yet for everyone. TSE is windows only right now. Why would anyone want to leave out the Mac market right now? TSE does not make a game awesome. Gameplay makes the game awesome.
#5
Part of choosing a better service provider is thinking longer term - towards Orbz 3 and the other games we are finishing up.
Orbz is by no means on the way out with the XBOX version almost done and Orbz 3 for the PC right on it's tail. This will be a great year for the franchise!
03/26/2005 (5:25 am)
Sorry about the servers folks - it's not on purpose. We recently lost on of the two servers and are struggling to get it back online with the provider. It sounds like the other server is not very responsive in some parts of the country so we are hoping to replace that as well. Part of choosing a better service provider is thinking longer term - towards Orbz 3 and the other games we are finishing up.
Orbz is by no means on the way out with the XBOX version almost done and Orbz 3 for the PC right on it's tail. This will be a great year for the franchise!
#6
04/01/2005 (6:59 am)
Ah, the servers seem a lot better! I've been recently playing again, and the servers have been running very smoothly. I don't know what the sudden change was, but it's fine with me. :) On the X-Box version of Orbz, those players will be able to play against the online players on PC right?
#7
How about Orbz 3 for Macs?
Gulp.............please do not leave Macs out of all the fun!
04/03/2005 (8:53 am)
Orbz 3 for PC is right on XBOX tail?How about Orbz 3 for Macs?
Gulp.............please do not leave Macs out of all the fun!
#9
04/05/2005 (7:03 am)
Man, Orbz seems to be everywhere! You guys have it in the arcade, the tapwave, windows, linux, mac & x-box. What's next... the PS2 now that TGE runs on that too? ;-)
#10
And when the wait is finally over, along with my apology for my lack of trust, I will promote and participate in the Orbs Community with renewed and energetic loyalty!
I sure don't mind 'eating crow' when it's served up like Thanksgiving Dinner!
As my grandma used to say, "I'm happier than a dead pig in the sunshine"! Hopes are high again.
texana
04/05/2005 (8:55 am)
Now ALL THAT is worth waiting for!!!!!And when the wait is finally over, along with my apology for my lack of trust, I will promote and participate in the Orbs Community with renewed and energetic loyalty!
I sure don't mind 'eating crow' when it's served up like Thanksgiving Dinner!
As my grandma used to say, "I'm happier than a dead pig in the sunshine"! Hopes are high again.
texana
#11
03/27/2016 (5:13 am)
So is Orbz 3 still coming to the Mac? That has and always will be my favorite game and I have other friends who feel the same. I would pay $20 for the game all over again if it works as well as it did in 03
#12
Maybe someone from GG will come by and confirm this though?
03/29/2016 (10:24 am)
@David Given that this is an 11 year old post, I highly doubt we will ever see anything of Orbz ever again. It is a shame that there isn't a community attached to the game anymore though. I can recall playing is a kid and it was such a fun game, along with Marble Blast!Maybe someone from GG will come by and confirm this though?
#13
As to a new version someday? Never say never.
03/29/2016 (10:37 am)
Just wanted to say that this made my day. Thanks DG and WW! It's hard to believe the game first came out 14 years ago. As to a new version someday? Never say never.
#14
06/27/2016 (7:06 pm)
Well that gives me hope :) Would be sweet to play it on a iPad as well but I would be happy with it on just the Mac and PC platform and would go as far to get a old computer to play it on if the servers worked :)
#15
03/21/2017 (12:38 pm)
dont know if folks are still monitoring this forum but just incase...this is Charlie aka hosehead or havanakid. i just down loaded the free version. seems it allows online play...
#16
04/03/2017 (3:04 pm)
This was my favorite game but a month after I posted my last comment Pokemon Go came out and became my new favorite game since nobody ever bothered to bring this game back to life :/ I would be happy to play this game when i'm tired of walking each day though :P I won't ever say never.
#17
(I still periodically try to reconnect. But no idea how since I lost my old (edu) email address.) Hope you're well. Still miss you all.
_Rich_ (BlackX)
08/02/2017 (8:30 pm)
Tex!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!(I still periodically try to reconnect. But no idea how since I lost my old (edu) email address.) Hope you're well. Still miss you all.
_Rich_ (BlackX)
#18
I miss Orbz!!!
08/02/2017 (8:40 pm)
BTW, my kids are doing great. Son (TheoX) graduated from RIT with a degree in game design (designing Orbz levels helped in that development!) and my daughter (KatjaX) is now an RN (IIRC, she only had one level design under her belt at that point).I miss Orbz!!!
#19
01/12/2018 (6:49 pm)
2018 is here and I still miss Orbz from 2004... We should start a petition to get it back
#20
you all know me as thee one with 99 or so nick names.... or 99Stang.
I have a windows server for orbz, have been teaching the grand kids when they come over would love to play with some masters I will put the server on line if I get someone interested in playing, an amateur like myself. email me at dennistbo@yahoo.com . I will make arrangements to put on line, and if it is not visible to the outside I will email back an IP address you can type in for direct play. just remember there will be no online leader board. so if you want to play just let me know. by the way I am running the game on windows 10, compatibility mode for XP. also am interested in the unofficial course packs, not sure where I stored them. lets have a GOOBER of a good time.
01/07/2019 (7:22 am)
Long time no see anyone!you all know me as thee one with 99 or so nick names.... or 99Stang.
I have a windows server for orbz, have been teaching the grand kids when they come over would love to play with some masters I will put the server on line if I get someone interested in playing, an amateur like myself. email me at dennistbo@yahoo.com . I will make arrangements to put on line, and if it is not visible to the outside I will email back an IP address you can type in for direct play. just remember there will be no online leader board. so if you want to play just let me know. by the way I am running the game on windows 10, compatibility mode for XP. also am interested in the unofficial course packs, not sure where I stored them. lets have a GOOBER of a good time.
Nightmare