Timberborn Update History
Complete Timberborn patch history from the September 2021 Early Access launch through the full 1.0 release. Every major update documented with highlights and gameplay impact.
📅 Timberborn Development Timeline
Timberborn's journey from Early Access launch to full release spanned four years and seven major updates. Developer Mechanistry maintained a consistent cadence of large content updates, each adding major new systems rather than incremental tweaks. The game launched Early Access in September 2021 with two factions and core mechanics, and arrived at 1.0 in October 2025 as a substantially deeper product with Badwater ecology, Bot automation, 3D water physics, and faction-exclusive transport networks.
Throughout development, Mechanistry ran a parallel Experimental Branch on Steam — allowing players to test upcoming features before they reached the main branch. This community-driven feedback loop shaped major systems including the well-being rework, district mechanics, and the Badwater contamination spread model.
After four years of Early Access, Timberborn launched its full 1.0 release. Update 7 content (Ziplines, Tubeways, 3D water physics) was included at launch.
Key Highlights
- ⚙️ Official full release on Steam, GOG, and Epic
- ⚙️ Folktails Ziplines transport system
- ⚙️ Iron Teeth Tubeways transport system
- ⚙️ 3D terrain water physics overhaul
- ⚙️ 15 language localizations added
Introduced Badwater — polluted fluid from human ruins that contaminates water, kills crops, and sickens beavers. Added the Badtide seasonal event and 25+ new buildings.
Key Highlights
- ⚙️ Badwater Sources erupt during wet seasons
- ⚙️ Badtide season added to rotation alongside Drought and Wet Season
- ⚙️ Contamination Barriers and Decontamination Pods added
- ⚙️ Badwater can be processed into Extract — used for super-dynamite and bot supercharging
- ⚙️ Bots are immune to Badwater contamination
- ⚙️ All 12 official maps reworked
- ⚙️ New faction decorations: dance halls, hammocks, wind tunnels
Removed district limits, allowing unlimited colonies. Added Monuments (Awe need), reworked Iron Teeth food system.
Key Highlights
- ⚙️ Unlimited districts allowed
- ⚙️ Monuments added: Laborer Monument, Flame of Progress, Tribute to Ingenuity
- ⚙️ Iron Teeth new food chain added
- ⚙️ Various QoL improvements
Completely overhauled the storage system, separating raw resources from goods. Renamed Golems to Bots.
Key Highlights
- ⚙️ New separate storage types for logs, goods, and liquids
- ⚙️ Golems officially renamed to Bots
- ⚙️ New warehouse tiers added
Added robotic Bots (then called Golems), terraforming mechanics, Gravity Battery, new well-being system, and beaver migration.
Key Highlights
- ⚙️ Bots (Golems) introduced as robotic workers
- ⚙️ Terraforming Station and Dirt Excavator added
- ⚙️ Gravity Battery for power storage
- ⚙️ Well-being needs system overhauled
- ⚙️ Beaver migration between districts
First major content update post-launch. Added mines, pumps, new resources, and attractions.
Key Highlights
- ⚙️ Mines and pumps added
- ⚙️ New resources: Chestnut, Cattail, Spadderdock
- ⚙️ New attractions: Lido, Mud Bath
- ⚙️ Improved Water Wheel
Timberborn launched on Steam and GOG Early Access with two factions (Folktails & Iron Teeth), two maps, and core city-building mechanics.
Key Highlights
- ⚙️ Steam & GOG Early Access launch
- ⚙️ Folktails and Iron Teeth factions
- ⚙️ Core water management and drought mechanics
- ⚙️ Vertical building up to 34 layers
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
When did Timberborn leave Early Access? ＋
Timberborn officially left Early Access on October 28, 2025, launching as version 1.0 after four years of Early Access development beginning in September 2021.
What was added in Timberborn Update 5? ＋
Update 5 (Badwater, January 2024) introduced the entire Badwater system — toxic fluid from human ruins, Badtide seasons, Contamination Barriers, Decontamination Pods, and Badwater Extract processing. It also reworked all 12 official maps and added 25+ new buildings.
What are the Ziplines and Tubeways added in 1.0? ＋
These are the faction-exclusive transport systems from Update 7, included in the 1.0 release. Folktails Ziplines are overhead cable transit systems for rapid travel on vertical terrain. Iron Teeth Tubeways are underground pneumatic transit networks ideal for flat industrial colonies.
Is Timberborn still being updated after 1.0? ＋
Yes. Mechanistry has confirmed ongoing post-launch support. The developers continue to release experimental branch updates and have indicated content updates beyond 1.0 are planned. Follow the official Steam news page for the latest patch notes.