- First title developed over 5 years, new build unveiled for the first time at Gamescom 2026
- Procedurally generated infinite worlds, factory automation… Targeting a Steam release in the first half of 2027
- Steam Wishlist Surpasses 325,000 Items… First Offline Meeting with Community at Gamescom
ORMOD: Directive, an open-world survival game currently under development by Australian indie game studio House 16 Software, has surpassed 325,000 items on its Steam wishlist.
This news was revealed ahead of Gamescom 2026, which will be held in Cologne, Germany, from August 26 to 30. ‘Ormod: Directive’ is scheduled to be unveiled to the public for the first time at Gamescom 2026.
At the event, a Gamescom-exclusive build featuring new content not available in previous playtests will be unveiled for the first time. Visitors can experience this build firsthand at Booth A033 in Hall 10.1 of the Gamescom exhibition hall.
An infinite survival sandbox where you face off against machines, the environment, and even other players.
‘Ormod: Directive’ is a systems-driven open-world survival game where you must survive amidst threats from machines, the natural environment, and other players.
One of the game’s biggest features is the infinite world, where towns, roads, buildings, and terrain are procedurally generated for every playthrough. Players can finely customize the world to suit their play style and desired difficulty, and can play not only on private servers but also on 24/7 community servers with various rules, including PvP, PvE, hardcore, and creative.
A persistence system is also a core element, where all items in the world physically exist and objects placed by the player remain in place. Based on this, a tile-based building system can be utilized to construct bases and prepare for attacks from machines or hostile players.
A large-scale factory automation system is also implemented to automatically produce weapons, supplies, and equipment. Beyond mere survival, the process of securing resources, establishing production facilities, and developing one’s own base forms a key axis of the game.
The combat system is also equipped with various elements. It features tilted shooting and extensive weapon customization, as well as a realistic combat system that simulates bullet penetration and armor.
The survival elements are also quite deep. Players must manage hunger, disease, body temperature, and injuries, and systems for farming, cooking, and healing are provided. Furthermore, with the addition of skill progression, quests, and an item-based economic system, players can continue to survive and grow in various ways depending on their choices.
In addition, dynamic events occurring in the world, such as helicopter crash sites and large-scale PvP events, as well as vehicle and helicopter operation systems designed to provide a handling feel similar to real vehicles, also attract attention.
In particular, when night falls, mechanical soldiers appear to relentlessly pursue the lone remaining player, placing new pressure on survival. It appears that strategies to prepare for threats after sunset will be just as important as securing resources and establishing a base during the day.
A developer’s debut title, the culmination of over five years, meets the community for the first time at Gamescom.
House 16 Software is an indie game studio based in Western Australia. They continue development with a core philosophy of creating ambitious games featuring deep systems and high sustainability.
‘Ormod: Directive’ is a game that Lead Developer and Creative Director Riley Ainge has been developing for over five years. He commented, “Since I have been working on this one game for over five years, I am truly surprised that more than 325,000 gamers have added it to their wishlists since its reveal.”
He continued, “I am really looking forward to Gamescom,” adding, “I am happy to finally be able to meet the community members in person after communicating only online for months. Watching people play ‘Ormod: Directive’ is always one of the most enjoyable moments in the development process.”
‘Ormod: Directive’ is House 16 Software’s first official title. Since its initial reveal last November, it has been steadily garnering attention through multiple playtests and community-driven development over the past eight months.
Positive reviews from playtesters… Interest in a system combining survival and automation
Even before the official release ‘Ormode: Directive’ has accumulated user feedback through multiple closed playtests.
A participant’s review was also shared on the Steam community, stating that after conducting a playtest for about 10 hours, they built a base equipped with a farm plot, a rainwater collector, a sawmill, a planter, a press, a mixer, and more.
The developer explained that they are continuously reviewing detailed feedback from playtest participants and, based on this, are improving the overall game, including gameplay balancing, world generation, weapons, animations, UI, and the crafting system.
Overseas, the game has been described as a blend of Bethesda-style open worlds and the automation genre. In particular, the persistence system, where resources and items in the world are physically placed and remain thereafter, is cited as a differentiating factor from existing survival games.
As the game is still in the development stage ahead of its official release, there are no official Steam reviews or Metascores yet. Given that it implements a variety of systems simultaneously, the key point to watch for in determining the title’s future success is how naturally these vast elements connect during actual gameplay and how seamlessly they are integrated.
House 16 Software is It was announced that there are plans to officially release ‘Ormod: Directive’ on Steam in the first half of 2027. Starting with this Gamescom demo, future development updates, the unveiling of new features, and additional playtesting opportunities are scheduled to follow.
Users interested in the game can receive updates by adding it to their Steam wishlist.
Information regarding ‘ORMOD: Directive’
| item | detail |
|---|---|
| Developer | House 16 Software (Perth, Australia) |
| Publisher | House 16 Software |
| Genre | Open world, survival, automation, multiplayer sandbox |
| platform | PC (Steam) |
| Release date | Scheduled for the first half of 2027 (Playtesting currently in progress) |
| Wishlist | Approximately 325,000 cases (as of August 18, 2026) |
| Reactions/Evaluations | Prior to the official release, reactions from playtest participants and international media were generally positive. |
| Steam Page | Shortcut |
