Patch notes 2024-09-05 (experimental)

Hello, everyone!

Things have been quiet for a few weeks - that's because of the vacation period and our annual studio meet-up. As we do every year, all studio members met in person to discuss Exciting Things coming to Timberborn down the road. But shhh, more on that in the future.

Also, we've been working on a few extra tweaks we need to implement before releasing Update 6 - Wonders of Water (yes, that's the official name!) onto the main branch. Here’s the first bunch.



[h2]Construction guidelines[/h2]

With the addition of overhangs, aqueducts, and increased focus on vertical building, it was time to implement a new quality-of-life feature. When constructing new buildings, it is now possible to toggle the construction guidelines view. This view helps you align new buildings correctly despite height differences or large distances.

• Added construction guidelines view to the construction mode. This view can be toggled with a new button added to the top right corner of the screen (default key binding: Shift+X) or by holding X.
  

[h2]Maps[/h2]

We’re on track to revise all built-in maps for Update 6! Today, four more join our updated roster.

• Reworked the Lakes, Plains, Beaverome, and Mountain Range maps. The implemented changes range from slight to very significant.
  

[h2]Performance[/h2]

• Significantly lowered saving times, especially on larger settlements.
  

[h2]Mods[/h2]

• The mod incompatibility warning screen now uses different icons. It’s easier to tell which mods are outdated, and which are missing.
  
• Because of some under-the-hood changes, this update might break most buildings added by mods. To remedy that - at least partially - we’ve uploaded a dedicated script onto our modding repository. If you’re a modder and today’s update affected your creations, you must select a broken prefab and run the script (Timberborn -> Fix Prefab Components). Sadly, this will only fix some related issues.
  

[h2]Misc.[/h2]

• Increased the tolerance for slight mouse movements with the RMB pressed down before the camera moves. We recently removed that annoying camera delay but as a result, the camera would sometimes jerk on short RMB presses (for example, when using that to close a window). Hopefully, we’ll strike a good middle ground now.
  
• Removed the Unlock camera checkbox from settings. The camera is now always unlocked.
  
• It is now possible to build all non-Ground-only buildings on Impermeable Floor. Its model was updated to make it easier to see buildings underneath it when using the layer-hiding tool.
  
• Updated the layer-hiding tool so that it’s possible to see Impermeable Floor tiles placed under buildings.
  
• Impermeable Floor tiles now look consistent no matter what they’re built on.
  
• Earth Recultivator’s lanterns now cast shadows.
  
• Added missing flavor texts to several Update 6 buildings.
  
• Simplified the model for crop leftovers (a.k.a. these little crates sometimes left next to harvested crops).
  
• Beehive is no longer a Ground-only building.
  
• Slope now needs to be demolished by builders rather than with a single click.
  
• Did you know that Underground Pile was asymmetrical? Well, it no longer is, and you can no longer flip it.
  
• Borders on the Wonder’s congratulatory screen are now consistent.
  
• Changed the default console key binding on macOS to Alt+~.
  
• Changing key bindings no longer triggers related actions (for example, changing a screenshot key binding no longer takes a screenshot).
  

[h2]Bug fixes[/h2]

• The deletion tool now works correctly with Sluices.
  
• Ranges for buildings are no longer displayed on layers that are still in construction.
  
• Fixed the lag caused by highlighting lots of objects, for example when using the Mark trees for cutting tool.
  
• Fixed the selection collider for Mine and Efficient Mine.
  
• Fixed the incorrect height for Wood Workshop.
  
• Campfire’s light is now emitted at the correct height.
  
• Kits that visited the Detailer no longer apply parts of the design to their... teeth.
  
• Restored the visual differences between dry and irrigated areas marked for planting.
  
• Fixed some visual issues with how badwater mixed with fresh water compared to Update 5.
  
• Power Shaft connectors should now be positioned correctly when attached to buildings.
  
• Fixed an issue with water sometimes appearing cut out when rendered at the top levels of the map and under specific camera positions.
  
• Fixed Barrack’s rooftops messing up construction sites for buildings placed on its top, such as the Rooftop Terrace.
  
• Platforms no longer clip through the dirt on construction sites.
  
• Tweaked Levee, Sluice, and Dam to display construction sites for buildings constructed on their top correctly.
  
• The construction site’s entrance no longer clips with several flat-roofed buildings such as warehouses.
  
• Excavator’s model no longer clips through Overhangs.
  
• Added that one missing plank to Roof (1x1). We’re the first to admit that this was an inexcusable design flaw.
  
• Fixed several issues with the Japanese localization.
  
• Fixed a few key binding bugs related to opening the console.
  
• Fixed a rare crash related to persisting player data.
  
• Fixed a bug with save game labels not being refreshed correctly when switching between settlements in the Load Game window.
  
• Fixed a rare crash caused by the settlement panel and dead beavers... again.