Orbio blends tactile movement and chain-reaction strategy in a game of precision, balance, and smart strikes. Most tabletop games ask players to sit still and think. Orbio asks them to move—rotating, striking, and setting off chain reactions that bring the board to life.
At its core, Orbio is a tactile abstract strategy game built around precision, momentum, and three-dimensional thinking. Players control tripod-shaped pieces with spherical feet, rotating them to line up attacks and trigger dramatic knockdowns. The result is a game that engages your hands as much as your mind.
The Concept: Turning Fidgeting Into Strategy
The designer behind Orbio, working under the independent studio name Soleil Studio, started with a simple insight: people love to fidget. They spin pens, flip coins, and roll objects between their fingers. Orbio takes that natural kinetic impulse and turns it into the heart of a competitive strategy experience.
Each player begins with three tripod pieces placed on their side of a foldable hexagonal board. On your turn, you have three moves, split however you like among your pieces. You’ll pivot, rotate, and position each tripod carefully—because every motion can set off a reaction that changes the course of the game.
Strikes, Domino Effects, and Dizzy Tripods
A successful strike happens when your colored “power ball” collides with an opponent’s white “target ball,” causing their piece to topple backward and become dizzy.
But this isn’t just one-on-one combat. If another tripod stands behind the fallen one, it falls too—creating a domino effect that can knock down multiple players in one turn. These cascading reactions are what make Orbio so addictive to watch and play.
Dizzy pieces aren’t gone for good, though. A “buddy revive” allows teammates to stand them back up, while a “self-revive” brings them back to play if they survive untouched until their next turn. Timing and positioning matter—too much aggression and you might set up your own downfall.
Power Cards: The Comeback Mechanic
Orbio’s Power Card system adds another layer of tactical depth. Land your power ball in one of the board’s special power holes, and you’ll draw a card that grants a bonus ability—like extra moves, a revival, or a sudden reversal.
These cards encourage players to push forward toward the opposite side of the board, taking risks for powerful payoffs. It’s a clever mechanic that fuels comebacks and keeps every match unpredictable.
Simple Rules, Endless Strategy
You can learn Orbio in five minutes, but mastering it takes practice. Every rotation, every move, and every choice of direction changes the geometry of the board. Even a single misstep can open a chain reaction that sends your pieces tumbling.
The result is a game that feels as strategic as chess, yet as physical and kinetic as a fidget toy. It’s accessible for families but deep enough to keep seasoned gamers coming back for more.
From Prototype to Community Hit
Launched on Kickstarter by Fei Feng, a young inventor and TSA award-winning designer, Orbio quickly captured attention for its originality and design flair. The project surpassed its funding goal, raising over $10,000 from backers worldwide, and continues to grow through community feedback and playtesting.
Each tripod doubles as a fidget piece off the board—you can balance or spin it on your desk, a small reminder of the game’s playful spirit even between sessions.
A Game of Movement and Momentum
For a new generation of players who crave hands-on interaction, Orbio redefines what a tabletop strategy game can be. It’s not about luck or reflexes—it’s about rhythm, precision, and the satisfying click of a perfectly executed strike.
Every rotation is a choice. Every strike can spark a chain reaction. And in Orbio, the last player standing wins.
Orbio is available now on Kickstarter. You can learn more or back the campaign at www.orbiogame.com.
