Summary of "ORKEN FIRST LOOK"

ORKEN FIRST LOOK – Summary

Game/IP Overview and Storyline

ORKEN (Orin) is a new intellectual property (IP) by SMV, marking a shift from their previous post-apocalyptic setting (De Genesis) to a mature fantasy universe.

The story centers on the clash between two advanced civilizations:

The Orkan (Car): Indigenous inhabitants of the continent Edom, portrayed with depth, rich culture, spirituality, and complex tribal societies. The Orks are protagonists with their own history, spiritual beliefs (animalistic totems), and internal conflicts.
The Elimon (Humans): An atheist, hyperproductive, industrial society stuck technologically around the 15th century but culturally 19th century. Expansionist and driven by a legacy of conquering other nations, they have discovered Edom and are in the early stages (about 30 years) of conquest.

The narrative explores themes of first contact, cultural clash, misunderstanding, fear, and power struggles. It is told from alternating perspectives of both sides, inspired by films like Letters from Iwo Jima and Flags of Our Fathers.

The setting avoids Eurocentric fantasy tropes, drawing inspiration from underrepresented cultures such as Zulu, Maya, Inca, early Japanese, and Mongols, blending them into a unique civilization design.

Product and Format

ORKEN is primarily a narrative-driven project, focusing on storytelling rather than gamification or RPG mechanics (unlike SMV’s previous work).

The IP is being developed through multiple formats:

Books
- Field Reports from Edom: Introductory, accessible paperback and illustrated versions.
- Memories of the Car: A dense novel from the Orkan perspective.
- World Book: An anthropological-style guide to Edom, detailing culture, history, and environment.
Audio Drama A fully produced audio drama of the first book is in production, featuring professional voice acting and sound design.
Art and Visuals Illustrated versions feature lavish, animation-style art with hundreds of two-page spreads. Architecture and environment art are being developed in 3D (Blender, Unreal Engine) to visualize the cities and culture of the Orkan.

The project plans a Kickstarter campaign in early next year (Q1), aiming to fund production and fulfill the first wave of products quickly (within 1–2 months post-campaign).

The campaign intends to launch multiple waves of products depending on success, with a strong focus on community involvement and feedback.

Development and Community Engagement

The IP has been in development since 2016, evolving from early concepts dating back to 2001.
SMV has conducted focus testing with community groups to refine the storytelling approach, prioritizing narrative and character depth over heavy illustration or gamification.
Preview packages (books, pamphlets, stickers) have been sent to longtime supporters and community members to generate hype and gather feedback.
A Discord community hub (SMV Hub) with over 2,000 members is active, serving as the main communication channel for ORKEN.
Plans include raffles and giveaways to reward community members and encourage wider engagement.

Key Features and Highlights

Dual Perspectives: Story told from both Orkan and Elimon viewpoints to provide nuanced understanding of both sides.
Rich Worldbuilding: Deep cultural, spiritual, and historical layers, with a unique take on Orcs as a complex civilization rather than traditional fantasy stereotypes.
Non-traditional Fantasy: Avoids common tropes, focusing on a first-contact narrative with evolving conflict.
Multiple Media Formats: Books, audio drama, art, and potential future expansions into animation or video games.
Accessible Entry Point: The Field Reports book is designed to be easily digestible and available soon on Kindle.
No Immediate RPG or Game: The project currently focuses on narrative and art; any game development would be a future possibility depending on audience interest.

Strategies and Tips for Fans and Supporters

Engage with the community on Discord to stay updated and participate in raffles.
Review and share feedback on preview materials to help shape the project.
Follow ORKEN on Kickstarter pre-launch to gain early rewards and merchandise.
Read the materials slowly and carefully to catch subtle hints and worldbuilding details.
Spread the word to onboard new fans and build momentum for the Kickstarter campaign.

Inspirations Mentioned

Films: Letters from Iwo Jima, Flags of Our Fathers, Apocalypto, The Last Unicorn (animation), Princess Mononoke, The Jungle Book, The Piano.
Books: Dinotopia by James Gurney, National Geographic style for worldbook layout.
Cultures: Zulu, Maya, Inca, early Japanese, Mongols.
Historical Events: Conquest of Mexico, Andes, and other colonial histories.

Featured Gamers/Sources

SMV (Studio or creators behind ORKEN)
Andy (Audio drama and sound design)
Sebastian (Writer and illustrator)
Yang (3D architecture and environment artist)
Miguel, Tony (Supporting artists for flora, fauna, and environment)

This summary captures the detailed discussion of ORKEN’s story, development, artistic direction, community engagement, and future plans as presented in the video.