Stormworks: Build and Rescue News

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
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
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
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
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
The Stormworks Developers