- #1 - Shoulder of Orion (Completed!)
- #2 - The Orion Colony Initiative (Pending)
- #3 - The Discovery & Scientific Survey - DW3 ‘Main Event’ (Jan 3312)
Introduction to OCI
During the early planning phases of Distant Worlds 3 (DW3), we weren’t certain whether our first major undertaking—establishing a launch site in Orion through the Trailblazers content—was even possible, let alone achievable within a practical timeframe.
Departing from the frontier system 15 G. Caeli in March 3302, the path to Orion was daunting. It involved linking hundreds of star systems, navigating around vast permit-locked sectors, and dealing with the notoriously complex navigation challenges of the Orion region. Yet, through the relentless dedication of hundreds of commanders, the generosity of 90 Volunteer Carrier owners, and the unwavering commitment of six remarkable Crews—Alpha, Bravo, Charlie, Delta, Echo, and Foxtrot—the Shoulder of Orion initiative has become an extraordinary success!
Within three weeks, 250 star systems have been linked since the March 30 launch—an incredible feat and a testament to the Elite Dangerous community’s drive and dedication.
The original goal was to reach a location where Barnard’s Loop would act as an interesting visual backdrop, claim a system, and build a surface port as DW3’s launch site. But the scale of the response called for something much more!
Introducing the Orion Colony Initiative (OCI)—a lasting legacy of DW3. It is hoped OCI will become a hub for events, gameplay, and community projects long after the main DW3 expedition ends next year.
Set within the Orion Molecular Cloud Complex, OCI offers a breathtaking setting for science and storytelling. Its nebulae and star clusters make it both visually stunning and scientifically rich.
However, it's not without danger—nearby Thargoid territory and intense radiation make navigational route plotting difficult. It’s a wild new frontier... with watchers in the dark!
Sphere of Influence & Collaboration with other Initiatives heading to Orion
The Orion Nebula Complex contains thousands of colonizable systems and dense star clusters, many accessible via Trailblazers content. For those seeking independence, it offers vast opportunities for settlers.
The OCI will focus on a small zone within the NGC 1981 open cluster, having secured several nearby systems. The goal isn’t to dominate Orion, but to serve as a hub for community events—starting with the main DW3 launch in January.
OCI recognizes the potential for other player-led efforts in this visually rich region and embraces a cooperative approach. By encouraging alliances and interstellar collaboration, OCI aims to help build a thriving, interconnected community where diverse initiatives can coexist and drive emergent gameplay.
NGC 1981 Micro Cluster
Systems claimed and their intended Colony roles
- NGC 1981 Sector ZU-Y d27
Primary Infrastructure to be built: Large Planetary Port & Communication Centre.
- NGC 1981 Sector AL-X c1-13
Primary Infrastructure to be built: Agriculture & Commercial Installations.
- Trapezium Sector CG-X d1-1
Primary Infrastructure to be built: Ocellus Starport & Surface Tourism Centre.
- Trapezium Sector GH-U c3-9
Primary Infrastructure to be built: Asteroid Base & Military Outposts.
- Trapezium Sector GH-U c3-10
Primary Infrastructure to be built: Bars, Communications & Satellite Arrays.
- NGC 1981 Sector GN-R b5-0
Primary Infrastructure to be built: Orbis Starport & Prometheus Outposts.
- Running Man Sector AL-X c1-11
Primary Infrastructure to be built: Asteroid Base.
- Trapezium Sector FH-U c3-11
Primary Infrastructure to be built: Ocellus Starport.
The building phase within these colony systems will be initiated within the next few weeks, and is scheduled to conclude by December 3311, in time for the Distant Worlds 3 ‘Discovery & Science’ Expeditionary Launch event (circa mid-January 3312).
Colony Theme and Purpose
The overall theme of the colony we are aiming for will be “The Frontier”. For those who are familiar with the genres, think WH40k Rogue Trader sprinkled with Mass Effect’s planets of Noveria (ME1: Corp research paradise) and Omega (ME2: Freelancer haven). Plus, a good dose of “How the West was won”: Pioneers scouting the land, establishing their land parcels, forming communities and beginning to do business.
The OCI will also focus on being a crossroads for specific Deep Space Expeditionary missions of scientific discovery, aligning with DW3's primary goal: the Discovery & Science Survey set to launch early next year. This focus will enhance the colony's integration into DW3's narrative.
Colony Management - OCI Events Team
A new group, the OCI Events Team, is being formed to manage and coordinate activities within the colony. This team will be responsible for creating immersive content—ranging from missions and events to quests and science/exploration initiatives—to foster community engagement and involvement across all interested residents.
Invitations to join the events team will be extended to players who demonstrate active participation in the initial events leading up to DW3’s launch event next January.
In line with OCI’s commitment to supporting a wide variety of playstyles, the Events Team will be empowered by MetaElite—a cutting-edge mission creation tool currently in development for DW3. With MetaElite, the team will be able to design and distribute custom missions and quests, all set against the 'birth of a colony narrative', ensuring a rich and ever-evolving gameplay experience in the region. Through MetaElite, OCI will provide mission content focused on its main pillars: Diplomacy, Trade, Science, Exploration, and Military Affairs.
Example of a typical MetaElite Mission Hub - disclaimer, MetaElite is still a work in progress.
More detailed information on MetaElite, and the core role it will play on the expeditionary aspects of DW3, will be announced later this year as part of the continuing DW3 roadmap.
OCI Science & Discovery Missions
The OCI Events Team will lead science and exploration expeditions across the region. Missions generally fall into three categories:
- Game-Mechanic Based - Missions involving tangible in-game elements eg. scanning 100 Stratum Tectonicas or 50 Notable Stellar Phenomena.
- Data-Driven Surveys - Deeper science missions using hidden variables—eg, scanning 1,000 T Tauri stars to analyze age and gas giant presence.
- Player Authored Missions - Utilizing our 3rd party mission generator (more info later this year), we can now create a variety of exploration and discovery focused events for commanders to embark upon!
Orion as a Gateway
Orion could become a major waypoint to deep-space locations like the Monoceros constellation, Messier 35, Seagull and Rosette Nebulae, and permit-locked regions like the Cone Sector. Think of it as the Orion Spur's Cape Canaveral.
Star Clusters of Interest within the Orion Complex
- Theta Orionis (Trapezium) – TET02 Orionis
- Lambda Orionis (Collinder 69) – LAM01 Orionis
- Running Man Cluster – V615 Orionis
- NGC 2232 – BD-04 1517
- NGC 1981 – scattered star locations
- NGC 1662 (‘Klingon Battlecruiser Cluster’) – BD+10 639
Permit-Locked Sectors
- Collinder 70 – Steeped in lore, with ties to secret shipyards and Thargoid myths!
- Horsehead Dark Region / NGC 2264 (Cone Nebula) – Locked in 3301; rumors persist of alien activity and hidden secrets.
OCI Science Carrier
DSEC Fimbulthul is one of four official carriers set to support the expedition phase of DW3. After the expedition ends, it will return to the NGC 1981 Colony and serve as a base for OCI-led exploration and science missions in the region.
Military Affairs
- Creating new content for Combateers.
For DW3, we plan to revive that series of events and run it under the umbrella of the OCI - expanding on it to include full ship v ship interaction in a dynamic, story-driven campaign that goes beyond standard BGS tasks and station missions.
- Protagonists v Antagonists - a story driven narrative with in-game interactions.
Roleplay will be encouraged but is not essential for participation in this story-driven campaign.
- Re-introducing the ‘Colonial Marines’ Squadron [COMA] (OCI’s Protagonists)
- Patrol Missions
- Trade Escort Missions
- Skirmishes
- Military Objectives
- Campaigns
- Colony Surface Raids
- Escort missions and assassination attempts on ‘gamemasters’
Background: The Colonial Marines [COMA], founded in August 3302, are remnants of the Colonia Citizens Network (CCN), and were set up by the first team of Custodians who oversaw the establishment of CCN. This squad also has a PMF (added by Frontier by request of CCN back in 3303) whose HQ is based in the historical Pallanei system - acting as a bubble-based recruitment outpost at the time..
COMA is being revived from retirement and will begin a new recruitment campaign later this year (once Vanguards has been released) with the new forces establishing a military outpost within the Orion colony. Their prime role will be based around BGS initiatives, but they will also play-off against an antagonist group in a perpetual series of missions and story-based campaigns.
The Colonial Marines Squadron will be responsible for building a new HQ in the main colony, as well as an outpost neighbouring the pirates’ hideout (to foster BGS conflicts).
- Introducing the ‘Orion’s Bane’ (OCI’s Antagonist)
Branded pirates by locals, they see themselves as freedom fighters opposing corporate-backed colonization that exploits resources, displaces native life, and imposes control on the frontier. Every attack is, to them, a blow against tyranny.
Operating from an asteroid base, the Bane rallies support from rebels, smugglers, and sympathizers. Their goal: a sovereign, lawless zone in Orion, free from corporate rule—a haven for outcasts and independents. Through targeted violence and black-market alliances, they aim to disrupt expansion and force recognition. Whether liberators or opportunists, one thing is clear—their war has only begun!
The Orion’s Bane Squadron will be responsible for chaining to a nearby system where their Asteroid Base will be built.
Xeno Threats
The location of the Colony puts it close to the borders of known Thargoid space. This will likely make it a prime target for xeno incursions should the Thargoids launch a new offensive. OCI will require an AXI Division of the Colonial Marines. The establishment of such will begin later this year, once Vanguards has been released.
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