Timberborn 1.0 Release Looms with Major New Features
The industrious beavers of the post-apocalypse are about to build their final masterpiece. After a highly successful and feature-rich period in development, the beaver-themed city-builder Timberborn is preparing to leave early access for its official 1.0 launch. Developer and publisher Mechanistry has announced that while a final release date remains under wraps, a massive update testing the game's full version is now available for players on a special experimental branch.
Since its debut in September 2021, Timberborn has captivated a dedicated community with its unique blend of city-building, survival mechanics, and vertical architecture, all centered around a society of super-intelligent beavers. Players have spent years mastering the delicate balance of dam-building, water management, and resource gathering to survive devastating droughts. Now, the culmination of that journey is in sight, bringing with it some of the most requested features to date.
What’s New in the Timberborn 1.0 Experimental Update?
Mechanistry is giving players a direct hand in shaping the final version of the game by releasing Update 8 on an experimental branch. This major update is a preview of what's to come in the 1.0 release and introduces significant changes and additions that fundamentally enhance how colonies are built and managed.
One of the most transformative new features is the introduction of ladders. For years, players have creatively used a series of platforms and stairs to achieve verticality, but ladders will streamline the process entirely. This simple yet game-changing tool will allow beavers to access new heights and previously unreachable areas with a much smaller footprint, opening up a world of possibilities for compact and efficient colony design.
The update also includes a major overhaul to one of the game's core systems: terraforming. Players will now have access to more powerful and intuitive tools for shaping the environment. Key changes include:
- Terraforming Reimagination: The system has been redesigned to be more powerful and user-friendly, allowing for more ambitious landscaping projects.
- New Terraforming Buildings: Players can now build a Soil Excavator to dig up dirt from any location, not just designated riverbeds. A Dirt Piler building allows for the efficient storage of this valuable resource.
- Enhanced Control: These changes give players unprecedented control over modifying the map, allowing them to create new reservoirs, divert rivers, and build massive plateaus for their beaver utopias.
Beyond these headline features, the experimental build is packed with other improvements. Players will discover new decorative items to personalize their settlements, user interface enhancements for smoother gameplay, and a host of quality-of-life adjustments that reflect years of community feedback.
The Journey from Early Access to Full Launch
Timberborn's path to 1.0 has been a masterclass in early access development. Rather than rushing to a full release, Mechanistry has meticulously built upon the game's foundation with substantial updates. From the introduction of the robotic Iron Teeth beaver faction to advanced power systems and aquatic farming, each update has added significant depth to the experience.
The developer has maintained a transparent and community-focused approach, emphasizing that the game will only launch when it is truly ready. This philosophy ensures that the final product will be polished, feature-complete, and a worthy realization of its ambitious vision. The current experimental build is the most critical step in this process, allowing the team to gather final feedback on a massive scale before finalizing the 1.0 version.
How to Play the Timberborn 1.0 Experimental Build
For those eager to test out ladders, the new terraforming system, and more, accessing the experimental branch is straightforward. Before you begin, it is highly recommended to back up your existing save files, as experimental builds can be unstable and may not be compatible with previous game versions.
To opt-in on Steam:
- Open your Steam Library.
- Right-click on Timberborn and select "Properties."
- Navigate to the "Betas" tab.
- In the "Beta Participation" dropdown menu, select "experimental - Public experimental branch."
- Close the window and allow Steam to download the update.
Once the update is complete, you can launch the game and begin experimenting with the future of beaver-kind.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is Timberborn?
Timberborn is a city-building and colony simulation game set in a world where humanity is long gone and intelligent beavers have become the dominant species. Players must build and manage a thriving beaver colony, controlling water with dams, growing food, and surviving cyclical droughts that threaten to turn the world into a wasteland.
When is the official Timberborn 1.0 release date?
Mechanistry has not yet announced a specific release date for the 1.0 version of Timberborn. The launch of the experimental branch is a major step toward the full release, but the developer is taking the time needed to ensure a high-quality launch.
What platforms is Timberborn available on?
Timberborn is currently available for PC through Steam, GOG, and the Epic Games Store, with support for Windows and macOS.
Will my old saves work with the new experimental update?
While your old saves may load, it is strongly recommended that you start a new game to experience all the new features and system changes correctly. Playing on an experimental branch with old save files can lead to unexpected bugs or issues. Always back up your saves before switching branches.