Orb of oculus

Orb of oculus

Release date	1 February 2010 (Update)
Members?	No
Quest item?	No
Tradeable?	No
Equipable?	Yes
Stacks?	No
High Alch	12 coins
Low Alch	8 coins
Value	20 coins
Destroy	Drop
Store price	20 coins (Faruq)
Examine	An orb of mystical excellence.
Weight	2 kg

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Detailed image of an orb of oculus

The orb of oculus is an item which allows players to have total control over the camera, an ability which is intended to be useful for video makers. It was intended to be used for the second RuneScape Machinima contest. The item is available for both free-to-play and members. This was announced in the developers blog, Machinima: The Orb of Oculus. It may be purchased from Faruq in Al Kharid for 20 coins or taken for free from Ophelia in the Clan Theatre.

On 15 June 2010, the orb of oculus was given even more features. This was announced in the Behind the Scenes - June. The orb can now save positions to shift to different positions with less difficulty.

Bonuses

Hover over image for type												A player holding the orb of oculus
Attack bonus
0	0	0	0	0
Defence bonus
-20	-20	-20	-20	-20
Other bonuses				Slot
0	0	0%	0
FastestInterval: 2.4 seconds

History

Mod Fnord stated that although the orb gives players complete control over the camera, including recording into the next room and performing close-ups, it will not be able to record video files, so players will still need a screen capture program to do this. He also confirmed that players will not be able to control themselves while using the orb, as controlling a player and the camera at the same time generated problems.<ref>Mod Fnord. "Orb of Oculus". 25 January 2010. RuneScape Forums. *</ref>

Mod Fnord further stated that the orb will be available from Faruq in Al-Kharid for a "very low" price.

During a Q&A session Mod MMG announced that the orb would be released the week of 31 January 2010. Mod Hohbein also confirmed this.

“	The Orb of Oculus is the start of this. It’s an in-game item that we are about to release that can be used to set up some exciting and dynamic shots for your own RuneScape machinima. You will have total control over the camera and can make it maneuver and pan as you see fit. You will have the power to set up your shots, direct your friends and keep them in frame, and make the film you want to make.	”
	— Mod Fnord, Machinima: The Orb of Oculus

The orb of oculus is designed to help making RuneScape YouTube videos more creative and fun:

“	Everyone loves a good YouTube video, right? Well, following the success of our last machinima competition it's fair to say many people love to make them too. To that end, we will be launching the orb of oculus camera tool next week to allow even more creativity for RuneScape filmmakers, which should come in handy for those looking to enter the competition!	”
	— Mod Hohbein

Controls

When equipped, the orb has a right-click option of "Gaze-into". This will bring the player to a screen without inventory or minimap, only the surrounding area. A small compass and a guide will appear in the upper right corner showing the compass point the orb is facing, and keys to control the orb:

The controls help interface which shows up after gazing into the orb.

Key	Effect
W, S, A, D	Move camera: North (W), South (S), West (A), or East (D)
Q, E	Move camera: up (Q) or down (E) (not possible in Fine Control Mode)
Arrow Keys	Rotate view (Aim Mode) or move focus point North (up), South (down), West (left), or East (right)
Escape	Exit the orb and return to the avatar view
F1	Toggle between Focus Mode, Aim Mode, and Fine Control Mode
F2	Toggle the chatbox
Space Bar	Toggle help window and compass
F7	Save camera position (not possible in Fine Control Mode)
F8	Replay saved positions (not possible in Fine Control Mode)
F6	Clear saved positions (not possible in Fine Control Mode)

Note that when the chatbox is open, no other controls may be used. In addition, any attack on the player will immediately end the orb mode and return the player to the avatar view.

The orb is wielded in two equipment slots, weapon and shield, making it essentially a two-handed weapon. (Although with -20 Defence modifiers, one you would not hope to have to use in combat.) As any attack on the player will make the player stop gazing into the orb, and return to the Avatar view, the use of the orb near any dangerous opponents requires a form of "safe-spotting".

Viewing areas

Not only is the orb of oculus used for making videos, but it is also widely used for taking a closer look at areas which players either cannot access, could formerly access but can no longer do so, or ones which are unrelated to the area the player is currently standing in and are only visited via completely different methods. There are many mysterious areas that were found using the orb of oculus, more than 100 to date, see here for a list of known hidden locations. This is because the developers place the locations for the convenience of debugging and content development rather than by their geographic location. Andrew Gower has revealed that he doesn't mind allowing players to view these areas as anything that is kept secret is not put in the game. However, these hidden areas are interesting nonetheless.

Trivia

Concept art of the orb of oculus.

• Oculus is the Latin word for "eye".
• If you Gaze-Into the orb while inside a POH, some rooms will show up as if in building mode.
• The orb appears to be held with the same technique as was used with cabbages in the 2009 April Fools, as well as the Stone of Power in the Fist of Guthix minigame.
• On 22 February, 2010 the orb was updated, making the movement much smoother.
• Although it is sold at Faruq's stall, there is no page in the Faruq's Toolonomicon about it.
• Other than the ring of kinship, mad necklace, and pendants of skill, the orb of oculus is the only other item that can be taken into Daemonheim, so video makers can make a video in a dungeon. It can be sold to the Smuggler for 6 coins. Some players also find it useful to bring the orb of Oculus while Dungeoneering, as players can view parts of the dungeon that are difficult to see normally, such as maze puzzles, and to see which doors need which keys from afar.
• This item can be used to see into places players cannot yet go.
• There appears to be a glitch when attempting several agility obstacles while holding orb of oculus, one of such attempting to click on the rocks on Al-Kharid Mining Area.

References

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