Blending classic survival games with automation - ORMOD: Directive sounds interesting

ORMOD: Directive is a very interesting recent announcement that blends classic action survival gameplay mechanics with automation. A little unusual bit it sounds like it might work quite well and it's set to release on Steam sometime in early 2026.

From the press email: "ORMOD: Directive introduces a post-apocalyptic sandbox where no two worlds are the same. Every playthrough generates a unique and fully customizable world, including the placement of towns, buildings, roads, and key landmarks. Players define their own survival strategy across a landscape built from the ground up for replayability, creativity, and challenge.

Blending classic survival gameplay with automation, base-building, and realistic combat simulation, the game offers a world that continues to evolve even when players are not online. Every decision affects survival, whether through diplomacy, stealth, or brute force, and every item in the world exists physically, stays where it is left, and can be picked up, stolen, or repurposed."

Since it will have anti-cheat as you can run servers for it, I was concerned about the anti-cheat situation for Linux / SteamOS since so many games have it disabled and lock Linux away and this one will have their own "In-House Client-Based Anti-Cheat" as listed on Steam. Speaking to their PR team to get word, I asked about it being enabled for Linux / SteamOS and they replied to note:

Hey Liam! The developer has confirmed a strong "Yes!" for this.

Check out the trailer below:

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Game Highlights:

• Infinite and Fully Customizable Worlds - Explore a completely endless world that is different every time you play, and procedurally generated towns, roads, buildings, and terrain that can be tailored to your preferred difficulty and playstyle.
• Play Your Way on Private or 24/7 Servers - Host your own survival sessions with friends or join persistent 24/7 community servers across multiple modes, including PvP, PvE, Hardcore, Creative, and assorted minigames.
• Physical and Persistent Item Simulation - Every item in the world exists physically and stays exactly where it is left. Loot shelves for your home base, steal items off other players, or stumble upon the aftermath of someone else’s adventure.
• Unique Tile-Based Building System - Build your base using a flexible tile-based construction system not seen in any other game, then defend it against machines or rival players.
• Full Resource Automation and Mega-Factories - Automate every resource in the game by constructing complex production lines and fully functioning factories capable of manufacturing weapons, supplies, equipment, and more.
• Realistic Combat and Weapon Simulation - Engage in grounded, skill-based combat featuring leaning, slow and fast reloads, complete weapon modification, and advanced physics including penetration and armor simulation.
• Deep Survival Gameplay - Manage hunger, sickness, temperature, injuries, farming, cooking, and medical conditions in an unforgiving world that constantly pushes back.
• Skills, Quests, and Trading - Level up your character, complete quests, trade with others, and interact in a dynamic item-driven economy.
• Dynamic World Events - Respond to helicopter crash sites, global PvP events, airdrops, and other world-changing encounters that create constant opportunities and risks.
• Vehicles With True-to-Life Handling - Repair and operate vehicles such as cars and helicopters, each with realistic driving and flight mechanics, including manual gears.
• A Constant Nighttime Threat - Survive against roaming mechanoids that emerge after dark and hunt players relentlessly, offering danger even when playing alone.