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In Timberborn, you play as an industrious beaver faction working to create a sustainable and thriving society in a post-human world. Since launching in early access, Timberborn has gained a loyal following, thanks to its unique spin on city-building and survival genres. Not only do you design and manage a city, but you also get to experience the joys and challenges of creating a self-sufficient ecosystem. Droughts, resource scarcity, and environmental management are all a part of daily life in Timberborn’s world.
In Update 6, the developers have doubled down on what makes Timberborn such a standout: intricate city planning, water management, and balancing a community’s needs with nature’s limitations.
To celebrate this massive update, we’re offering Timberborn for 25% off on Playsum! Use the code DAMGOOD at checkout and get ready to create the beaver utopia of your dreams.
Let's dive into some of the exciting changes that are making waves in the world of Timberborn!
A New Era for Water Physics and Construction
At the heart of Update 6 lies a complete reimagining of how water behaves in the game. Water is the most iconic thing in Timberborn, and until now it was based on a 2.5-dimensional system. But with the new update, the developers have introduced a revolutionary 3D water simulation system that promises to transform the way players interact with this vital resource. A real game-changer!
True 3D Water Dynamics
Previously, Timberborn’s water system functioned like a sheet over terrain, creating variable depths and waterfalls but lacking full 3D interaction. With this update, water can now flow and layer horizontally and vertically, following the rules of real-world fluid dynamics. This means water can run atop existing structures, flow over buildings, and even form layered pools of "badwater" and regular water. Players can now create intricate systems using these interactions, adding realism and challenge.
New Building Mechanics: Aqueducts, Impermeable Floors, and Vertical Engineering
Update 6 also introduces the ability to build aqueducts, thanks to the new capability to place Dams and Levees anywhere, from platforms to rooftops. The Impermeable Floor (200 SP, 1 Metal Block) allows players to redirect water flow without it seeping through solid surfaces, like platforms or lodges, allowing buildings to coexist with waterways and even form the foundation of an underwater city.
Improved Water Visualization and Interaction
The update refines how water looks and moves, with smoother, more natural spilling effects and enhanced visuals for falling water. Previously, players might notice “leaks” in dam structures, which are now eliminated for a cleaner look. Additionally, water wheels no longer impact water flow, removing the occasional confusion when they inadvertently caused slowdowns.
Introducing Automated Sluices
One of Timberborn’s most requested features is here—automated sluices! These compact, 1x1 structures (400 SP; 5 Planks, 5 Metal Blocks) allow water to pass in a set direction and can be placed at any level within dams, adding new flexibility for water management.
How Automated Sluices Work
Sluices can be set to open, close, or operate automatically, helping players avoid constant manual adjustments. The automation feature is particularly useful, as sluices respond to player-defined contamination and downstream water levels, making water management easier and more efficient.
New Platforms and Enhanced Building Options
With the introduction of true 3D water physics, Timberborn has added revamped and new platforms that unlock incredible vertical and airborne city-building possibilities. Here’s a look at what’s new:
• New Overhang Platforms (sizes from 2x1 to 6x1) give players the freedom to build outward without needing ground support, allowing suspended structures and complex layering. Only one side needs support, making them versatile tools for multi-level city planning.
• Updated Metal Platforms (3x3 and 5x5 sizes) now have shorter legs and can be stacked atop other platforms, adding even more space-saving potential. These updated platforms are accessible to both factions, giving everyone the chance to embrace multi-level construction.
• Cost-Effective Suspension Bridges and Extended Water Pumps: Suspension bridges have been rebalanced, with reduced costs and no metal requirements, while water pumps (both standard and deep versions) now have extended pipe lengths for more flexible water distribution.
• Natural Overhangs can be found in the map editor. You can build on them, but you won’t be able to grow crops on them, and there’s no transfer of irrigation or contamination. You can destroy them, similar to Blockages.
Vertical Power Shafts
Efficient power management is a game-changer in Timberborn, and the new Vertical Power Shafts make it easier to connect power across different levels without cluttering your beaver city.
Vertical Power Shafts and Multi-Directional Power Connections
The Vertical Power Shaft (40 SP; 2 logs, 2 planks, 1 gear) allows you to build vertical power lines that connect through floors, freeing up space and enhancing efficiency. You can even place buildings directly atop these shafts, making them highly versatile.
Additionally, Upward and Downward Power Shafts (20 SP each) work seamlessly with Vertical Power Shafts to redirect power lines in any direction while saving space, ideal for intricate power networks.
Enhanced Power and Pump Systems
Vertical Power Shafts integrate with existing buildings, such as Windmills and Engines, directing their output downwards to power structures below. Pumps also receive upgrades, with front, back, and bottom connections for better fluid transport options. Plus, the lower pump part now acts as a levee, controlling water flow efficiently.
Wonders for End-Game Goals
While Timberborn’s sandbox world encourages players to set their own goals, Update 6 adds new faction-specific wonders to offer clear end-game objectives. These advanced structures not only “complete” a run when activated but also reward players with unique visual effects and boosts to beaver well-being.
New Wonders: Earth Recultivator and Earth Repopulator
Each faction has a unique wonder to build and activate:
• Folktails’ Earth Recultivator (20,000 SP; 2000 gears, 2000 treated planks, 1500 metal blocks) sends out tree seed balloons to reforest the planet, boosting nearby beavers’ well-being.
• Iron Teeth’s Earth Repopulator (20,000 SP; 1500 gears, 2000 treated planks, 2000 metal blocks) launches beavers in gliders to rebuild civilization elsewhere, creating a similar morale boost.
Building and Activating Wonders
Wonders require five construction stages, reflecting their size and resource demands. Activating a wonder for the first time adds a faction badge to the map and unlocks new gameplay options. While the effects are largely visual and lore-based, they add a satisfying finale to your playthrough while letting you continue exploring the world.
Official Modding Support and Steam Workshop Integration
Update 6 introduces long-awaited modding support for Timberborn, now available through the Steam Workshop with in-game integration. Players can browse, install, and manage mods directly from the game, opening up a world of customization and creativity.
New Modding Tools and Features
To make modding more accessible, Timberborn’s system has been restructured to reduce compatibility issues and simplify common tasks. Modders can access documentation on the Timberborn Wiki and sample mods on GitHub, while players can explore the Workshop for community-made content.
- Built-In Mod Manager: Easily toggle mods, rearrange load order, and upload mods directly to the Steam Workshop from the main menu.
- In-Game Console: Accessed with Alt+`, it offers a new level of control over mods and gameplay tweaks.
- Direct Map Uploads: Upload custom maps to Steam Workshop straight from the editor for a seamless sharing experience.
To kick off the fun, Timberborn has also added an official sample mod, the Shanty Speaker. This Iron Teeth building plays “Shores of Beaver Bay,” a track created with the community.
Why You Should Play Timberborn
Timberborn is a unique gem in the city-building genre, offering an experience that’s equal parts challenging and charming. The new Update 6 breathes fresh life into the game, providing new layers of strategy, creativity, and interaction. It’s an ideal game for players who enjoy a mix of resource management, environmental planning, and city-building, with a quirky twist that only beavers could bring.
The game’s post-human narrative and eco-friendly themes resonate with players who appreciate a sustainable approach to survival gameplay. Timberborn’s world is beautifully detailed, and its gameplay strikes a perfect balance between complex city-building mechanics and peaceful moments of observing your beavers in action.
With the addition of Update 6’s improvements, now is the perfect time to jump into Timberborn or come back for another round. And with our exclusive 25% off discount on Playsum, you can start your beaver-built city today with code DAMGOOD!
Join the Beaver Nation!
Whether you’re logging into Timberborn for the first time or returning after a break, this new update is sure to impress! The developers have worked tirelessly to bring fresh ideas, improved mechanics, and deeper world-building to this unique title. And as always, the community around Timberborn is passionate, creative, and eager to share tips, tricks, and city designs.
Don’t miss out on the excitement—grab Timberborn today on Playsum, use the code DAMGOOD for 25% off, and get ready to dive into one of the most innovative city-building experiences out there. The world of Timberborn awaits, and it’s up to you to make it a place where beavers can thrive!
