‘Onward Update 2.0’ is The Game’s Biggest Update Ever—Exclusive Interview With Downpour Interactive Reveals Details

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What do you do when your VR shooter that’s been on the market for coming up on nine years total still has an active player base? Well, if you’re Downpour Interactive, apparently you continue to release free updates and support the game like it’s a new launch. That’s exactly what they’ve done with Onward.

Next week on March 25, Downpour Interactive is updating the game with Onward Update 2.0, the biggest update ever for the iconic VR shooter. This will introduce a remastered fan favorite map, a brand new map, over a dozen new weapons, and the ability to select and customize an Operator before going into a match—among many other changes as well!

To learn more about this massive update and the state of Onward as a whole, we got the chance to conduct this exclusive interview session with Community Manager Korine Craze and Producer Kasper Nahuijsen from Downpour Interactive.

Onward Update 2.0 -- The name alone of this update is pretty monumental. Give me the elevator pitch of what makes this one a big enough moment to earn that name?

Korine Craze and Kasper Nahuijsen: Update 2.0 is the biggest update we have ever done since the game’s release in 2016. We have completely redone our weapons and utilities—this means both graphically and polishing their functionality. This update also includes 13 new weapons!

We have two new maps that are the best visually to date. One of which is a complete remaster of a community favorite. We have overhauled our characters and have introduced 20 operators (including our first introduction of female characters) so that players can now choose how they want to look on the battlefield. We are also introducing a lot of quality of life updates that players have been requesting for a long time.

Is the team actually replacing every single weapon and piece of equipment? Why was this deemed necessary and how much of a difference does that make for players, do you think?

KC and KN: Yes, every piece of equipment. The weapon models, accessories, drones, even down to the smoke grenades. The weapons and utilities that players use in Onward have always been known for their level of realism. When they look down at their loadout we wanted it to feel high quality. With the advancements in VR technology, it allowed us more headroom to make a huge visual leap for all of them.

I saw that you're adding a pump-action shotgun and revolver, those have been requested for a long time is that right?

KC and KN: Yes. The revolver especially since the release of the game. These two weapons offer unique interactions that some of the other weapons do not.

Talk to me about Operators. What do you think this brings to the game in particular at this stage?

KC and KN: Previously when people loaded into the battlefield they were assigned a model. This new system allows players to feel more connected and immersed since they get to choose how they will look. This also allows team members to quickly identify their teammates and know who they are working with once they go from planning in the tent to out in the field. Each operator has some amount of customizability too, and players may choose the colors of their armbands or sunglass lenses, for example.

I understand that there will be a remastered map with Downfall and a new map in Overgrowth. When approaching maps as a developer, what are some of the key considerations when designing them, especially this far into the game's life cycle?

KC and KN: Both of these maps are more graphically advanced than our current maps. We tried to push the limits of what we could do visually, while also bringing in new terrain tactics, by introducing ladders to gain different tactical viewpoints as an example. There are two goals when it comes to both the new weapons, and these new maps: iterate and improve on what’s already in the game, while providing players with new and exciting ways to play the game at the same time.

Onward has a very dedicated and active community of players that have been with the game for several years. What do you think is something the diehard players will really love the most about this update?

KC and KN: The thing that we see most people commenting on is the new weapon options. Not only will it add some new exciting content to try out, It’s going to really shake up how people play the game and offer a much needed refresh to the loadouts people have gotten used to.

Now that Onward is a part of the Meta Quest+ subscription it means more people than ever before will be able to easily jump into the game. What are your tips and advice for new players at this stage?

KC and KN: For players just jumping in I suggest heading to a solo shooting range lobby to get used to what options are available and how the weapons system and UI look. Then I would suggest jumping into Mercenary Mode to start with a slow introduction of the weapons and different gameplay modes that Onward offers, while finding friends to play and grow your skills with.

Thank you for continuing to support such an iconic game for the VR community! Where can folks go to learn more about the game?

The best place to find out about Onward news is our Dev blog and the best way to connect with other players is our official discord, Discord.gg/Onward.

Will you be diving into Onward again once the big Onward Update 2.0 drops next week on March 25? Now is a great time to dive back into the game and sharpen up your skills!

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