Hello Onward Community,

This month is the long awaited final briefing for Update 2.0. We are going to wrap things up with some big news that you may have thought impossible. In the Devs’ Desk we will be showcasing the full roster of our operators, including more of the recently announced female operators from our recent post[x.com].

As many suspected when we started this series, after the last briefing, the update would release shortly after. We are happy to confirm you were right! The update will be released on March 25th, 2025!

With less than two weeks to go, let’s go over the final big features we have in store.

These features are something you have been asking us to include for YEARS. I don’t think we have gone one week without hearing a request for one or both of these features. We are thrilled to announce that these will be included in Update 2.0.

Crossplay Enable/Disable Option
For various reasons players have requested the ability to filter servers based on what platform they play on. In order to do this it required quite a bit of backend work and UI adjustments to the game.

Update 2.0 will have an option when setting up and browsing multiplayer lobbies to enable or disable crossplay. The default setting will be to allow crossplay. If you turn crossplay off the setting will be saved until you choose to enable crossplay again.

When creating a lobby and disabling the crossplay option your server will only be visible to the people on the same platform you are on. PCVR (Oculus PCVR & SteamVR) players will only see or join other PCVR players. Quest players will only see or join Quest 2, Quest Pro, & Quest 3 & 3S lobbies. Once a lobby is created, you will not have the ability to change this setting. To make a change to the crossplay settings you will need to create a new lobby.

MR73 Revolver
What began as a simple Game Jam experiment for some of our engineers—'Can we create a revolver that truly feels immersive in VR?'—quickly turned into a thrilling discovery. As we dove into testing, it became clear to all of us: the revolver's unique interactions brought an exhilarating and dynamic twist to the gameplay experience.

When researching how a revolver could fit into modern day loadouts, we decided on the MR73: a double-action revolver used in some modern military units for its reliability and durability. This weapon will be available on MARSOC Rifleman and Marksman classes. On the Rifleman it supports a reflex sight and a 4x/1x hybrid sight, and on the Marksman it supports a reflex sight or a 4x scope.

Over the past few months, we've given you a glimpse into some of the exciting Operators that will be joining the battle. With Update 2.0 just around the corner, we're thrilled to introduce you to the full roster of playable Operators.

Each Operator has a unique backstory and motivation for joining the fight, which you'll be able to explore in-depth when you select them in-game. Get ready to dive into their stories and discover what drives them to take on the challenge.

10 MARSOC Operators
10 Volk Operators
The update is just around the corner, and we can't wait for you to dive in and experience the incredible work our team has put into taking the game to the next level of excitement.



Stay Frosty

Hello Onward Community!

February is here and so is our next briefing. We know you have been eagerly waiting for what else is coming with Update 2.0. This month we have more new features to go over along with announcing some quality of life enhancements. In the Devs’ Desk we will be giving you additional information related to the weapons update and showcasing more operators.

Keep an eye on our Twitter[x.com] account in the upcoming weeks. We will be posting information for upcoming Q&As happening. This will give you an opportunity to get answers to common questions and also learn more details behind some of the upcoming features we have talked about.

While we already announced our completely remastered Downfall map, we still have more news related to environments. We have a completely new never before seen map and a new Day mode for a current map. These are sure to offer a major change to how you play some game modes.

Overgrowth
A brand new map that follows a new level for graphics quality, much like Downfall Remastered. This latest addition boasts lush green foliage texturing and intricate rock formations that create a visually stunning backdrop for intense battles. A network of tunnels and narrow passages demands strategic movement and clever positioning, amplifying the pressure during combat.

This close quarters combat map will be available for Uplink, Co-Op, and Social Game modes. Get ready to experience high-stakes battles like never before on this cutting-edge map!
If you thoroughly explore the map, you may stumble upon a rare fossil that hasn’t been seen since the intense battles in the Jungle.

Tanker - Day
The Tanker map has been a staple in Onward since its early days. Its unique design, featuring multiple levels and a long viewing range, made it an ideal environment for nighttime gameplay. Night mode reduced the sight lines allowing players to move strategically across the top level, utilizing available containers for cover. After reviewing the map, we decided to release a daytime version of Tanker. This new iteration offers a fresh perspective on the classic map, providing players with a different set of challenges and opportunities.
Sneaking around on this map in broad daylight will require some serious skill.

Environment Enhancements
To help players feel more immersed in the environments while playing, we are adding elements like random fly overs and lightning effects. Sporadically, If you look to the skies or out on the water you have a chance to see boats, helicopters, or fighter jets. The air vehicles can perform banking maneuvers in formation, deploy countermeasures, and even explode and crash. The boats can deploy parachute flares at night.
Safe Spawning
After the introduction of spawn protection, we continued to monitor the gameplay experience for Shooting Range and Freeroam and how it has impacted the overall gameplay. While it did help address some instances players reported, we felt we could improve on it.
In Update 2.0 players will see a checkbox in the tent to enable safespawn. This will randomly spawn you in a new location on the map instead of where you died. This gives control back to the spawning player when in public lobbies where it can get very crowded and a bit chaotic.

Subway - Assault
In response to community feedback, we're excited to announce the addition of Assault game mode to Subway. Marsoc will attack from the streets, and Volk will come up from below. To ensure a seamless experience on Subway’s different height levels, we've designed Assault boundaries that are shown in the world, rather than on your tablet.

This month we wanted to provide an update and additional details related to our progress on the weapons and characters we are working on.

We have made some significant additions in the scopes category for our weapons. In addition we have also added some new functionalities to some specific weapons we think will offer some much needed improvements to how the weapons are utilized.

New Scope Technology

• 2 alternative iron sight model options
  
• Hybrid 1X/4X scopes - (2 sights in one)
  
• Tri laser (3 visible lasers)
  
• Combo (visible laser, visible flashlight, IR flashlight, & IR laser)
  
• Dual laser illuminator (visible laser, IR flashlight, & IR laser)
  
• Visible Laser & Flashlight (visible laser & visible flashlight)
  
• New 6x Scope (MARSOC)
  
• New 8x Scope (Volk)
  
• Laser & Flashlights are emissive (can see the lens glowing, not just the beam)

New Weapon Functionalities

• Shotgun shell holder for M1014 and M870
  
• Gripods (Foregrip / Bipod Hybrid)
  
• M203 can be equipped on MCX Virtus & MK18

This should bring fresh variety to the Assault map options, offering players a new unique and engaging experience.

Introducing 3 more MARSOC and Volk Operators. Their full bios will be available on our Instagram page soon.
In addition to switching between operators, you'll also have the ability to personalize their armbands and eyewear with different color patterns. This feature can be used to identify groups of players for tactical positioning or reflect other unique playstyle and preferences.

Use this customization option to add an extra layer of uniqueness and make your gameplay experience even more tailored to your preferences.


Onward provides a multitude of ways to play, resulting in a diverse array of player types. One player type that has gained popularity in recent years is the Military Simulation (MilSim) community. These groups often incorporate roleplaying and ranking systems into their gameplay.

Some of these groups offer in-game weapon training sessions and tactical walkthroughs for various environments. Since group expectations can differ, the team at MilSim Units has created a website to help connect individuals that have similar playstyles. For more information about how to find or host a MilSim unit, visit their website[milsimunits.com].

The Onward Custom Map League (OCML) has successfully concluded its January Brawl contest. This exciting tournament featured 8 teams competing over a period of 5 weeks, with matches played on 6 new custom map submissions.

Congratulations to Team Animal House, who emerged victorious in the tournament!
An additional congratulations goes to Swamp Boogie, whose map submission “East Village” was chosen as the best new map played during the tournament. Well done everyone!

You can watch all the rounds of the tournament on the Brutal Cast YouTube channel.

In addition to their recent map tournament, the Brutal cast has a bi-weekly podcast that delves into various Onward topics. These engaging episodes often feature special guests who are well-known within the community, providing valuable insights and in-depth information about the game. They also cover various league matches and tournaments. The channel offers a great variety of Onward content to check out.


Keep your head on a swivel