Dear Stormworkers,

In this announcement, we discuss the variety of building communities in Stormworks, and the unique character and style of creators.

Stormworks was originally intended as a search and rescue game, with small ships, and perhaps some helicopters. Since, the set of parts has expanded to allow players to create trucks, planes, trains, space ships, and more. There are also many types of vehicle created by the community which we never added specific parts for!



The Mechs

Mech walking robots have never been supported by specific components, but that hasn't stopped many creators from experimenting and creating some incredible creations.

These walking robots are often very creative, and being fictional vehicles, they often bear the unique style of their creator. When the "mech gang" grace us with their screenshots in the official Discord, the results are amazing.



The maths required for building a working multi-ped walker where legs move as required, and in coordination with each other, is advanced. The walking creations have been around for years, but the sophistication has been advancing, with smoother results.



There are many other types of specialist creation, from fast jets, to steam trains or military submarines. Different creators express their design opinions in different ways, and even replica designs can have a great depth of character in the way they are built within Stormworks.



It's very rewarding for us to see Stormworks being used in these ways by creators.

What other creator groups exist that we could cover in the announcements? Let us know!

Much love <3,

The Stormworks Developers

Dear Stormworkers,

This weeks minor update is mostly fixes and improvements!

In Stormworks, it is possible to place all components on a vehicle (for the benefit of the workshop). However, the functionality of some components requires a DLC. For example, firing weapons require Search and Destroy, some space parts require Space to function, etc.



Some players have told us that it isn't clear what vehicle components require DLCs and which do not, and that it is frustrating to discover something requires a DLC. This wasn't our intention, so we are adding markers and warnings on components so this information is clear and up-front.



Please see the patch notes below for a full list of fixes and improvements!

We look forward to your feedback on this new update.

Much love <3,

The Stormworks Developers



Patch Notes

v1.12.1

Feature - #24896 DLC items are now marked in the component inventory
Fix - #2873 Improved multiplayer rope sync
Fix - #25994 Random bug where engines stopped transferring exhaust and blocked flow
Fix - #25338 Corrected net drag effects
Fix - #25024 Updated preset oil rig example
Fix - #25347 Improved surface swimming behavior with ropes
Fix - #24891 Fix map labels not showing on moon
Fix - #25254 Fix clear oil spill crash and improved clearing
Fix - #25272 Updated descriptions for breathing equipment/outfits to indicate oxygen must be piped into the inventory to refill them
Fix - #25598 Updated onVehicleSpawn documentation to indicate that unloaded vehicles report the shared "group-origin" position

Dear Stormworkers,

Thanks for all your feedback and images from the new Lobster Pot Major Update!

With the fishing major updates complete, we are looking ahead to our future plans. We have one more major update this year, and are working on more major update content for 2025. The next major updates are very exciting for us and we can't wait to announce the details of these highly requested updates!

We are spending most of our time on bug fixes and improvements, with many minor updates planned. Next weeks minor update will be focused on fixes.



Our general strategy is to make Stormworks stable. By this, we mean that we want the game to behave consistently between future versions, For example, players could return to the game after a long break without having to re-learn a new balance or system. Players can have a higher confidence that their workshop creations or mods will continue to work as they do now.

At the same time, we still plan on adding new features, but in an "additive" way. For example, this could mean adding new components, without changing the behaviour of existing ones.



Catch us next week for the fixes and improvements minor update!

Much love <3,

The Stormworks Developers

Dear Stormworkers,

The third and final fishing major update is out now!

This major update introduces crab and lobster pots, and advanced rod fishing mechanics.

Crabs and Lobsters

There are many varieties of the new crab and lobster sea creatures. As well as being found on the ocean floor, they can be caught (passively over time) with the new fishing pot component. They occur most densely in localized areas and can be sold at the fishing locations.



Advanced Rod Fishing

Rod fishing now as new "fish fighting" mechanics, where fish will fight on the line. Reel in when there is slack, and manage the tension when the fish is pulling. If line tension gets too high, the line will break and the fish will escape.



Fish Improvements

This update also includes various fish fixes and improvements that have been requested by players. See the patch notes below for details.

We look forward to your feedback on this new update!

Much love <3,

The Stormworks Developers



Patch Notes

v1.12.0

Feature - Crabbing, lobsters, crabs and crab-pots
Feature - Fishing rod fish escaping, fighting and reel mechanics
Feature - Fishing rod float and float depth
Feature - Workshop fishing tag
Feature - Net anchor composite data logic node
Fix - #25141 Fish finder data generation is now more consistent
Fix - #25203 Increased fishing gantry boom length, updated filters
Rework - #25109 Fishing hotspots now spawn huddled around arctic and main biome
Balance - #25144 Increased net max capacity to 512

Dear Stormworkers,

Next week, on 14th August 2024 at 16:00 UTC, we will release the next major update - pot fishing and advanced line fishing.

Check out our previous announcement for the initial info.

What else to expect?



New Crustaceans

Lobsters and crabs are new sea creatures that can navigate the ocean floor, as well as above water on the shores.

There are many varieties, from the Panulirus ornatus lobster, to the spider crab. Each variety are found in different locations and hold different market values.

They can be caught in pots placed on the ocean floor. It may take time to catch, but you can deploy your pots and return later to collect your haul.

Like fish, these creatures can be held in the hands. However, be careful placing them down as they will scurry sideways in search of the ocean!



Fishing Improvements

As well as the new features, we have been listening to player feedback and have some much-needed improvements. The fish finder will function in a more useful way with better data output, some fish selling gantries have been improved to have longer reach, fishing spots are now typically near to either the main biome or the arctic and less likely to be far out at sea, and net capacity is greatly increased.

We can't wait to share this new update! Join us next week for the release :-)

Much love <3,

The Stormworks Developers

Dear Stormworkers,

This weeks minor update includes new mission locations on beaches and shallows! These are transport style missions involving re-floating and transporting vehicles and cargo that have washed up or become grounded on shallow areas.



This update continues our long standing mission to expand and improve mission content in Stormworks. This is an incremental change, and together with other recent mission updates as well as more planned in the future, we are making progress towards our goal.



As well as these new missions, we have several fixes and reworks. These include some important fixes such as a rare issue where AI vehicles could spawn in the floor (causing physics lag), as well as requested rebalance changes such as weapons spread and ammo box capacity. These changes have been requested on the official issue tracker, or in the previous live dev Q&A sessions.



We hope these new missions and fixes are useful and look forward to your feedback.

Join us in 2 weeks for the major update!

Much love <3,

The Stormworks Developers



Patch Notes

v1.11.8

Feature - #10360 Beach and shallows mission locations

Rework - #25621 Updated train wheels braking code
Fix - #24645 Clients getting stuck in loading state after teleport
Fix - #24582 Prevent scene vehicles ticking while simulation is paused (Jumping vehicles)
Fix - #24545 Space station hatch logic wiring
Fix - #24608 Fix sunken pseudo state AI boats loading inside seabeds
Fix - #24628 Show a warning when invalid vehicle buoyancy errors occur and prevent vehicle entering an invalid state
Fix - #24675 #25491 Minor addon lua documentation fixes
Balance - Reduced weapon projectile spread x4
Balance - Increased machine gun ammo box capacity to 100

Dear Stormworkers,

The third and final Fishing Major Update is just a few weeks away!

This major update releases on 14th August 2024.

The Pot and Line Fishing Major Update introduces lobster and crab pots, and advanced line fishing.

Lobster and Crab Pots

The new fishing pot components can be deployed on the sea floor and will catch crabs and lobsters over time.



Advanced Rod and Line Fishing

New rod fishing mechanics allow you to set the float length, in order to bait deeper or shallower.

Fish will now fight back, and will attempt to run when hooked. Reeling too much while the line is under tension can break the line and allow the fish to escape.

As well as these features are some fishing related fixes and improvements.



This is our final planned fishing major update, with many of the major player suggestions now implemented.

Join us next week for a minor update, and then a couple of weeks later for the new major update!

Much love <3,

The Stormworks Developers

Dear Stormworkers,

It is minor update release week! As previously announced, this update is a bit smaller than normal as we prepare for the major update due for release in 4 weeks!

Despite being small, there are some useful fixes which will be important to some players. Please see the patch notes below for full details.



Next week we will announce more info on the upcoming major update, and in 2 weeks, we have a minor update with many fixes and some exciting new content!

We hope this new update is of help, and we look forward to your feedback. Check in next week for the details on the next major update!



Much love <3,

The Stormworks Developers



Patch Notes

v1.11.7

Fix - #25352 Resolve microcontroller logic links sometimes disappearing on undo/redo
Fix - Grounded network vehicle desync when teleporting off of a vehicle (characters vibrating)
Fix - #24400 Resolved RCS thruster mirroring issues
Fix - #24489 Corrected typos in large and huge tank wheels
Fix - Space transport missions spawning at low difficulty
Fix - Missions not respecting spawn biome
Rework - #24316 Simplified Day/Night duration back to a single value

Dear Stormworkers,

The Steam summer sale ends a few hours after this announcement goes live! Stormworks and DLCs are currently on discount.

Recently we have been planning out the rest of the year and have been filling out our schedule with our goals for which new features and components to release, and when, for the rest of the year. As previously announced, the next major update is soon, and we are already working on the subsequent one.



While we have a plan for major updates and new features for this year, this is only a small part of our work plan, with plenty of time protected for bug fixes and improvements. Expect the usual rate of fixes and improvements into the future.

We are in a fortunate position, with loads of great ideas and suggestions that we can work on, that should provide a positive impact on the game for players, and are practical and achievable goals for ourselves. While we have done our best to select the highest priorities for this year, there are loads of great things that we want to do getting pushed into next year.



As well as Stormworks, we are working on our new game, although public release is still a long way off. Our new game is intended as a different type of building game, and isn't intended to replace Stormworks, so our plans for Stormworks support and update continue in parallel.

Catch you next week for the minor update!



Much love <3,

The Stormworks Developers

Dear Stormworkers,

Today we release the new animal missions minor update!



These new animal missions include lost dog recovery, livestock transport, and if you have the S&D DLC, there are also dangerous animal incidents!

As well as these new missions, there are also several fixes, improvements and lua API changes!



We hope you enjoy this new content and look forward to your feedback!

Much love <3,

The Stormworks Developers



Patch Notes

v1.11.6

Feature - Animal Missions

Transport farm animals
Find a lost dog
Rescue an animal to a sanctuary
Hunt a dangerous animal
Rescue survivors from an animal attack

Fix - Persisting issues with train brake forces causing twilight zone bug
Fix - #24107 Dropping fish duplicating in multiplayer
Fix - #24199 Survivors picked up by two players at the same time bug
Fix - #24355 Fixed issues with map border teleporting for vehicle groups with keep active blocks
Fix - #24344 Map vehicle icon block data is now persistent when unloaded
Fix - #24131 Minor fish art asset issues
Fix - #24217 Minor control fin art asset issues

Addon Lua:

Feature - #24344 getVehiclesByName Addon Lua function
Feature - getVehicleData now returns name and authors data
Fix - Corrected some integer return value types

Dear Stormworkers,

As usual, our updates are out every few weeks! Here is some info on the next several releases:

3rd July 2024 - Minor update with some new mission content and fixes

17th July 2024 - Particularly small minor update

31st July 2024 - Minor update with some new mission content, rebalancing, and fixes

14th August 2024 - The next major update! More details announced closer to the time



Many thanks to all who have given feedback. We are continuing to review bug reports and feature requests on the issue tracker, as well as feedback and suggestions on Youtube, and the suggestions from the last Q&A.

Return next week for the new missions content and update!



Much love <3,

The Stormworks Developers

v1.11.5

Fix - Fix train brakes using incorrect position if connected to rail while brake is applied.

Dear Stormworkers,

This minor update is focused on fixes and improvements.

These changes are fixes asked for by the community on the issue tracker. The ticket id numbers can be found in the patch notes below, corresponding to the tickets on the issue tracker.



Please see patch notes below for full details.

Meanwhile, development continues on the upcoming minor and major updates!

We look forward to your thoughts and feedback on this new update.



Much love <3,

The Stormworks Developers



Patch Notes

v1.11.4

Fix - #22548 Refactored train braking code to fix mirroring issues
Fix - #23555 Fix infinite fuel setting causing funnels to spawn infinite resources
Fix - #23864 Fix DLC lock on uranium processing
Fix - #24094 Corrected finned and non-finned solid rocket booster masses
Fix - #24196 Refactored directional rx fov/falloff for more consistent behaviour
Fix - #23910 Fixed issues with workshop vehicles thumbnails and tags
Fix - #23881 Fixed weather map sampling
Fix - #23864 Separated left and right train piston internal steam compartments

Dear Stormworkers,

We are launching new merchandise!

Check out the new Geometa store on TeeSpring here.



Several players have asked for the return of Stormworks merchandise, so we are pleased to relaunch. Many also asked for items for their kids, so we have also added some baby and kids sized items.

While we have previously made updates for train enthusiasts, truckers, sports fishermen, amateur astronauts, and even volcanologists, there are presumably some players wondering: what is there for the niche crossover between Stormworks players and dog owners?

This is something we have been considering! Please see the new "Dog Breeds of Stormworks" design for you and your good boy.



What happened to the old Redbubble merch?

We are not sure. I think its a common scam on Redbubble where a scammer DMCA's popular content, and if it gets removed (our notice email must have gone to spam) then the scammer bot uploads the stolen designs to its own store. We have managed to remove all the stolen content on Redbubble but we think TeeSpring is probably better.

How much do you make from Merch?

We have set up the TeeSpring store with the default prices, which is typically $6 or $7 profit per item. With Redbubble we were not selling many items, and it probably less than 0.1% of our business. This isn't about generating revenue, its because it is something that some players have asked for, we enjoy making the designs, and because we think its a good service to provide the players who want it.

If this is something you have been looking for, then great! Otherwise, call back next week for the next minor update!



Much love <3,

The Stormworks Developers

v1.11.3 (Hotfix)

Fix - "Refuel and repair" missions not completing correctly
Fix - tow_vehicle type missions not generating sub-objectives correctly
Fix - Some default refuel mission boats incorrect fuel tank name

Dear Stormworkers,

This week, we introduce refuelling missions!

These new lower priority missions involve vehicles and crews who are low on fuel requiring resupply. Deliver and transfer the required fuel type to resolve their emergency.



As well as these new missions, are several fixes and improvements, including a couple of issues that could result in AI vehicles being spawned below the floor, causing poor performance when nearby one of these AI vehicles. Mission and add-on fixes are only applied after starting a new game, as these scripts are part of the game-save file.

Please see the patch notes below for full details.

Many thanks to all those who joined for last weeks live questions and answers stream! There were loads of great questions and it was great fun to chat to the community.



You can view the stream on Captain Cockerels YT channel, where he has kindly indexed the questions with time codes in the description.

We hope you enjoy the new missions and improvements!

Much love <3,

The Stormworks Developers



Patch Notes

v1.11.2

Feature - Refuelling Missions
Fix - #21006 #23999 Several trainline junctions inverted or derailing
Fix - #21640 AI mission vehicle spawning in floor
Fix - #21708 AI boats spawning in the Beginner Island floor
Fix - #23191 AI boat horn stuck on with inf-electric
Fix - #22066 Scaled vehicle handle counter force with atmosphere factor
Fix - #22250 Adjusted rope forces in space
Fix - Crash caused by physics data access by projectiles after an object was destroyed
Fix - Missions do not despawn full vehicle groups
Fix - Fixed some missions missing names

Dear Stormworkers,

It is minor update week!

This update includes various fixes, improvements, and reworks, as well as a minor location change, adding a frequently requested build area to the military base island.

Please see the patch notes below for full details on this update.



Please join us next week for the developer questions and answers live stream!

Much love <3,

The Stormworks Developers



Patch Notes

v1.11.1

Feature - #5278 Added workbench to military base

Fix - #23929 Fixed the spawn area for the existing military base workbench
Fix - #23893 Resolved invalid link creation issues with logic node link undo-redo
Balance - #23266 Greatly increased catalytic converter rate
Balance - #23876 Updated cargo rewards
Rework - Unloaded cargo items now despawn when under half the remaining delivery time to reduce undeliverable packages
Fix - #23872 First person items always rendering orange
Fix - #23753 Defibrilator not recharging
Fix - #23797 Starter Boat instrument radio values not clamped
Fix - #23900 Fixed various addon documentation
Fix - #24901 Fixed return values for several addon lua functions
Fix - #23936 Crash when loading a vehicle during a merge-tool operation

Dear Stormworkers,

On Thursday 30th May, we will do our next Questions & Answers session where we will answer your questions live on Stream!



This stream will begin at 5PM UTC, and will be found at the top of the Stormworks Store page on Steam.

Like last time, we will have the question submission website where players will be able to submit questions during the stream, and we will work through and answer as many as we can.



Please click the "Set a Reminder" button on the right and join us then for this event!

Many thanks for all your feedback and support.

Much love <3,

The Stormworks Developers

Dear Stormworkers,

The Commercial Fishing Major Update is OUT NOW!

Check out this new update for fishing nets, fish finding sonar, population and value variance, and more!

Please see our recent announcement for details on what to expect.



Please see the patch notes below for technical info on this update.

Please jump into game and check it out!



We look forward to hearing what you think, as well as your ideas for what you would like to see next in Stormworks!

Much love <3,

The Stormworks Developers



Patch Notes

v1.11.0 - Commercial Fishing (#2588 #12567)

Feature - Fishing Net
- Link four fishing net hooks with rope logic links in a planar square to genearte a net
- The sides of nets can be extended and contracted similar to a winch
- Pulling nets through the water will cause them to billow out
- Fish stick to the net and can be released via a logic node input

Feature - Fish Biomes and Rarity
- Fish now spawn in appropriate biomes based on longitude and depth
- Fish prices are now scaled based on biome rarity
- Fish hotspots exist in the world where the maximum fish density is increased 4x
- Fish hotspot map data can be purchased from fishing data vendors
- Added server.getFishData addon lua command to fetch default prices, equipment type and resource type

Feature - Fish Finder
- Detects a random fish in the area and outputs the yaw angle and distance.

Dear Stormworkers,

As previously announced, the next major update is the Commercial Fishing Major Update and it is out on Wednesday the 8th May which is next week at 5PM UTC!

As a quick reminder of what to expect:

New fishing nets are built from 4 net rope links, and use simple softbody cloth physics. Fish can be caught by these nets, and released using a logic node. Nets can be expanded and contracted via logic on their anchors.

New fish abundancy systems mean that different species are fish are found in high abundance only in specific locations.



Fish value varies from one species to the next, with some much more valuable than others.

Locate fish using the fish finding sonar component. Position and depth info is very useful for setting the depth of nets, etc.



We are planning one more fishing major update and are carefully listening to players for future updates!

Catch us next week for the release :-)

Much love <3,

The Stormworks Developers