ISLANDERS: New Shores News

[p]Hello ISLANDERS![/p][p][/p][p]We’ve got patch notes and a brand new challenge mode for you to try!
We also bring good news for Steam(Mac) players too!

The following patch notes are for build #2f95a55d - check the game main menu top right corner to see what version you are on![/p][p]✅ This patch and new challenge mode is now live on Steam(PC), Steam(Mac), PlayStation and Nintendo.[/p][p]⌛ This patch and new challenge mode is coming to Xbox within the next few hours.
✅ Steam(Mac) we did it - you are finally caught up to the latest patch! We’re super sorry about the delay, so thank you for your patience!

Patch notes[/p]

• [p]Fixed → Issues where not all buildings were included in the score calculation with cone shapes.[/p]
• [p]Fixed → Issue where the island score indicator UI sometimes would be invisible when completing a run.[/p]
• [p]Fixed → Issue where verdures placed on plateaus would not be visible after save/load.[/p]
• [p]Fixed → Buildings placed with alternate facades reverting back to base facade after saving and loading a second time in sandbox mode.[/p]
• [p](Consoles) Fixed → Issue where not all buildings would grant a score when using the Precious boon.[/p]
• [p](Consoles) Fixed → Issue where score was not calculated correctly when undoing boons on Aurora islands.[/p]
• [p](Consoles) Packaged key art updated.
  
  [/p]
• [p]Added → Challenge mode, 4 new ways to play the game![/p]
  • [p]A Short Journey[/p]
  • [p]No Time To Dilly-Dally[/p]
  • [p]Temple Trouble[/p]
  • [p]Fully Stacked[/p]
• [p]Added → 6 new achievements/trophies to complete 🏆[/p]
• [p]Added → A delay before the screensaver is activated, the delay has been increased to 3 minutes.[/p]
• [p]Added → Message prompt when starting a new highscore game to warn about losing progress.[/p]
• [p]Added → All previous patch changes to Mac, making it one to one with Windows.[/p]
• [p](Consoles) Added → Delay before the screensaver is activated increased to 3 minutes.[/p]
• [p]Updated → Credits with special thanks 💜[/p]

[p]
What is the new challenge mode?
Test your skills and see how you fare against the new challenges!
There are 4 new challenges available, these challenges are here to stay so you can retry them whenever you’d like. All 4 challenges feature a weekly and global leader board too. [/p][p][/p]

• [p]A Short Journey For those of us who want to play ISLANDERS: New Shores but may have a busy schedule, this is a shorter condensed version to play! How high a score can you get within 3 islands?[/p]
• [p]No Time To Dilly Dally
  You’ve got 30 minutes to score as high as possible, keep an eye on the timer at the top of the screen and prepare to play quickly! [/p]
• [p]Temple Trouble Build your city around placing your perfect temple, we have a high score temple placement so far of 1014 - we're keen to see what you all can do 👀[/p]
• [p]Fully Stacked If you had a perfect start to the game, all the buildings and all the boons available, what would you place first? You can't earn more buildings or boons, so plan carefully!
  This challenge will always start in the desert biome. [/p]

[p][/p][p]We’re ideally going to be adding more challenges with future patches, so let us know what you think to the challenges... who knows what the next challenge will be 👀[/p][p]- ISLANDERS team 🏝️[/p][p][/p][p][/p][hr][/hr][p]❗Quick Update - Steam(Mac) Players

The team was made aware of an issue with players losing their high score progress once they updated the game. The issue was identified to Steam(Mac) players only, and has been fixed! ✅

Steam(Mac) players please update your game, this should return your original high score run back to you!
(We're super sorry and really appreciate all the help to solve this asap - it won't happen again!)[/p][p]- ISLANDERS team 🏝️
[/p]

[p]Hello ISLANDERS,[/p][p]We’ve got patch notes and a free content update!!![/p][p]The free content update is a brand new biome which is available to play… today!
(check your platform for specifics)[/p][p]
[/p][p]
The following patch notes are for build #3c74912d - check the game main menu top right corner to see what version you are on![/p][p]✅ This patch and new biome is now live on Steam (Windows)[/p][p]⌛ The new biome is live on all platforms, but the latest patch fixes and additions are coming to PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo later on today. (Fixes coming soon™️).
⏳ Steam (Mac) is still pending previous patches, and will not receive the luminescent biome just yet. We’re sorry about the delay, and are working to resolve this ASAP![/p][p]Thank you in advance for your patience!

Patch notes[/p]

• [p]Fixed → issue where not all buildings would grant a score when using the Precious boon.[/p]
• [p]Fixed → Issue where score was not calculated correctly when undoing boons on Aurora islands.
  [/p]
• [p]Added → Luminescent biome 🍄🌊🌙[/p]
• [p]Added → New Sandbox items from the Luminescent biome (“trees” & flowers)[/p]
• [p]Added → A delay before the screensaver is activated, the delay has been increased to 3 minutes.[/p]

[p]
What is the new biome?
The new biome is called Luminescent, inspired by Bioluminescence coastlines that light up the night!
In the new Luminescent biome, you can find:
- New trees (giant mushrooms!)
- New flowers that glow (based on real flowers, Firefly Petunias!)
- New blooming trees (giant mushrooms with glowing spots!)
- A beautiful new biome that seems to be in a perpetual night 🌙
- The new biome is available in 4 colour variations, red, blue, green and purple.
Let us know what you think of the Luminescent biome, we hope that you all like it! [/p][p][/p][previewyoutube][/previewyoutube][p][/p][p]Where are the monthly challenges?
We wanted to share a quick and honest update about post-launch content - especially Challenge Mode.[/p][p]As you may have seen, there have been some changes behind the scenes in the wider organisation, which have made things a bit trickier when it comes to planning out content updates. Team structures have shifted a little, and that’s had a knock-on effect on how quickly we can get things out the door.[/p][p]That said, We are still here, still excited, and still fully committed to supporting ISLANDERS: New Shores long-term. We’re doing our best to navigate the changes in a way that keeps the game and the community moving forward.[/p][p]Our hope is to roll out the first version of challenge mode in the next free content update, but we want to take this moment to ask: what kind of challenge experience do you actually want? High-score hunts? Creative goals? We’re all ears. [/p][p]Drop your thoughts in the comments - we’re reading everything, and your input will help us shape what is next. [/p][p]Thank you so much for sticking with us! [/p][p]- ISLANDERS team, and Coatsink 🏝️[/p][p]
[/p]

[p]Hello ISLANDERS - It's patch time! [/p][p]
We got all your feedback, bugs, suggestions, so we've been pretty busy!
We wanted to get the first official patch out ASAP and we're hoping some of the hard hitters for bugs and feedback are addressed 🪲[/p][p][/p][p]The following patch notes are for build #d0581a95 - check the game main menu top right corner to see what version you are on!
✅ This patch is now live on Steam (Windows)
⌛ This patch will go live on PlayStation and Xbox later today.
⏳ These fixes will be included in a later patch for Nintendo Switch and Steam(Mac) - thank you for your patience![/p]

• [p]Fixed → Issue in a rising island generator where buildings placed on stones in the water would rise above the stones.[/p]
• [p]Fixed → Weekly leader board not being centred around users on PS5.[/p]
• [p]Fixed → Blooming trees from using a blossom boon would not follow rising islands.[/p]
• [p]Fixed → Issue where the building from using duplicate or bargain was not rewarded if it was your only remaining boon but still had at least 1 unopened boon pack in the bar.[/p][p][/p]
• [p]Added option to settings menu to use instant advanced tooltips on mouse hover.[/p]
• [p]Added option to settings menu to use a persistent toggle for tooltips when playing with a gamepad.[/p]
• [p]Added user option to enable hovering placed buildings in the world and get a tooltip with the building name (PC only).[/p]
• [p]Added the camera to tilt slightly vertically in Photo Mode, get those overhead shots![/p][p][/p]

[p]Keep the feedback coming and share your thoughts on this thread, we read everything!
happy island hopping and have fun!

- ISLANDERS: New Shores team 🏝️[/p]

[p]Hey everyone![/p][p][/p][p]Just a quick note from the team to say thank you for such a great launch day. The response to ISLANDERS: New Shores has been extremely positive, and it means the world to us to see so many of you enjoying the game. Whether you picked up a bundle, left a review, streamed it, or just quietly built a beautiful little mountain-top village, we appreciate every one of you.[/p][p][/p][h3]Bundle Recap[/h3][p]In case you missed it, here’s a quick look at the launch bundles (all with discounts!):[/p]

• [p]🌴 Island Hopping Bundle (New Shores + Original): [/p]
• [p]🎵 Scenic Builders Pack (Game + DLC + Soundtrack): [/p]
• [p]🌟 Full Archipelago Bundle (Everything!): [/p]

[p][/p][h3]💬 We’d Love Your Feedback[/h3][p]This is our main feedback thread — so if you’ve run into bugs, have suggestions, or just want to share your thoughts, drop them in the comments below. We’re reading everything and already working through the top priorities.[/p][p]And if you’re enjoying New Shores, a quick Steam review goes a long way. It really helps boost visibility, especially in the launch window, so thank you if you’ve already left one![/p][p][/p][h3]🛠️ Hotfix #1 – Patch Notes[/h3][p]We’ve already rolled out a small hotfix based on your early feedback:[/p]

• [p]Adjusted: Brightness slider range reduced for better usability and control.[/p]
• [p]Fixed: Twitch connection status now updates correctly if the Twitch window is closed while connecting.[/p]
• [p]Fixed: Undo bugs related to Sacred Rocks that could incorrectly increase or decrease score permanently.[/p]

[p]More fixes and improvements are already on the way.[/p][p][/p][h3]Looking for Tips?[/h3][p]Check out this great video from ISLANDERS community friend Connor Roberson, who currently holds the highest score on New Shores! If you’re looking to level up your builds (or just want to see how absurdly efficient one person can be), this one’s worth a watch.[/p][p][/p][p]Watch on YouTube > Islanders: New Shores | Game Overview + High Score Guide for New Players[/p][p][/p][p]Thanks again for all the support so far - this is just the beginning, and we’re excited to keep improving and expanding New Shores with your help. Let us know what you think below![/p][p][/p][p]The ISLANDERS Team[/p]

[h3]We did it - ISLANDERS: New Shores is available NOW! 🎉[/h3][p]
We’re absolutely thrilled to release New Shores out into the wild, the early reviews and feedback we’ve received so far has blown us away! It’s been so lovely seeing people connect with the calm, creative city-builder again 🏝️[/p][p][/p][p]We wanted to give a huge shout-out to everyone who has helped us get here: demo players, feedback sharers, streamers, curators, commenters, upvoters, even the post lurkers. You’ve all played a part in bringing this to life, and we’re truly grateful to you all. 
[/p][previewyoutube][/previewyoutube][p]
If you’ve missed some of our previous news, here’s a little roundup![/p][p]
Launch Bundles - Three ways to pick up the game (and the original!)
2025 Content Roadmap - What’s coming next?
Steam Deck Verified - Fully supported and ready to build on the go. [/p][p][/p][p]Want to share your island, ask a question, or just hang out? Check out /r/ISLANDERS_NewShores on Reddit, or our official Discord home!
[/p][p]Thanks again for all of the support - we hope you enjoy island hopping as much as we’ve enjoyed working on it![/p][p][/p][p]Have fun out there![/p]