Hello, everyone!

It looks like the experimental branch players really liked our new map, Hollows, and that the performance tweaks we implemented worked as intended. In that case, we’re happy to push all that - and more! - to the main branch. Enjoy!

Maps

Since Update 7 made the in-game terrain fully three-dimensional, Timberborn map makers can now overhang terrain, create caves, and use other clever tricks. Our newest addition to the map roster showcases some of these new features.

• New map: Hollows (192x192). The carved-out landscape of this medium difficulty map hides many opportunities. The eldest beavers even whisper of buried treasures.

Performance

• Significantly improved the game’s performance. Compared to Update 6, we anticipate 15-30% higher FPS. We’ve also eliminated several serious performance issues introduced with Update 7.
• Fixed a performance issue causing stuttering and degraded FPS.

Visual

• Refreshed the models for both factions' Smelters.
• Refreshed the models for both factions' Gear Workshops.

Power Shafts and Tubeways

After reviewing the recurring feedback, we realized that the modularity of Tubeways and a similar change to Power Shafts is sometimes confusing. Here’s how we’re trying to address that.

• The default model for Power Shafts and Tubeways is now always the version with all possible connections visible.
• Renamed Solid Power Shafts and Solid Tubeways to Vertical Power Shafts and Vertical Tubeways, respectively.

Quality-of-Life

• The area measurement is now enabled for all area selection tools, including cutting, planting, rubble and tree removal, and the deletion tool.
• When selecting any buildings connected to a power grid, all objects in that grid are now highlighted - this includes shafts and batteries.

Misc.

• Removed the “Too far from a district” warning and the yellow highlight when placing buildings. That warning is still displayed in the building’s panel but showing it all the time didn’t make much sense since the players would often connect the paths later.
• Status icons now work better with 3D terrain. They no longer appear too high, they don’t clip through terrain, and it is possible for them to appear under platforms and other objects.
• Demolishing single buildings now results in more smoke. Everybody loves smoke.
• The “Environment volume” slider now also controls the wind’s volume.
• Renamed the “Reset camera position” keybinding to “Reset camera” as it only resets the zoom.
• Disabled the beaver and bot throttling in the buildings’ entrances. This means they will leave the buildings earlier and react to your actions faster.
• In the preview mode, Power Shafts placed next to buildings now display the connectors.
• The blockage is now more of a cube.
• Added the creator of our Update 7 trailers and our new Discord moderator to the in-game credits. No, they are not the same person.
• The red preview is now displayed in some extra situations when it’s impossible to place a building.

Bug fixes

• Resources carried by beavers no longer disappear after saving and loading the game.
• Timberborn is not a psychological horror, so the natural resources no longer change their position after each restart and load.
• Stranded beavers no longer switch their animation for a moment after loading the game. They’ve got enough to worry about as is.
• Fixed some extra crashes related to file permissions.
• Patched up holes in the Terrain Blocks and in terrain hanging next to platforms.
• Overhangs and metal platforms no longer clip with terrain edges.
• Fixed a few visual issues with sitting beavers.
• The game no longer crashes when a mod's folder is missing.
• Fixed a crash occurring while renaming a district.
• Fixed fire and other particle effects being visible through waterfalls.
• Fixed issues with really large save lists. Like really, really large lists - we’re talking thousands of saves. We bet it’s only our programmer eMka who is mad enough to ever experience that… right?