Frostpunk

Frostpunk

11 bit studios

activeReleased Apr 24, 2018steam

Frostpunk is the first society survival game. As the ruler of the last city on Earth, it is your duty to manage both its citizens and infrastructure. What decisions will you make to ensure your society's survival? What will you do when pushed to breaking point? Who will you become in the process?

Year 9

Apr 24, 2026 - Sep 2, 2026

27 changes

Frostpunk 1886 launched several significant updates, including the introduction of procedurally generated content on June 19, 2026, enhancing the uniqueness of playthroughs. Players also experienced a new Purpose path that expanded the ideological options available in the game, along with a closer camera view that allowed for a more intimate exploration of the city.

  • New Illustrations: New visual content was introduced on July 24, featuring new laws and an entirely new path, enhancing the narrative depth.

    • Improved technical quality of illustrations was implemented, with higher resolution and better facial expressions.
    • Existing illustrations were refreshed to enhance emotional impact.
    • The focus on emotional storytelling in art provided deeper emotional and psychological insights through character portraits.
  • Gameplay Enhancements: A reimplementation of core systems on September 1 improved AI, save compatibility, and user interface to align with Unreal Engine.

    • Players noticed deeper personal connections with citizens, emphasizing their struggles and emotional states.
    • New events for Endless Mode were developed, adding more variety to this popular game mode.
  • Modding Support: The game introduced official support for modding on May 22, enabling community-created content to flourish.

  • Performance Improvements: The transition to Unreal Engine 5 on September 1 streamlined development, enhancing overall performance and allowing the team to focus on gameplay features.

    • Animation simplifications were made to improve performance, along with optimizations for building graphs to avoid complications in building dependencies.
  • Visual Upgrades: Enhanced animations and visual effects were delivered, enriching character detail and expression, while the procedural generation improved the visual diversity of environments.

Year 8

Apr 24, 2025 - Apr 24, 2026

21 changes

Frostpunk 2: Breach of Trust DLC was announced on April 6, 2026, set to launch on June 23, introducing a new scenario in New Edinburgh. This period also saw the release of the Fractured Utopias DLC on January 14, 2026, which enhanced eight factions in Utopia Builder Mode with new skill trees and perks, alongside a Free Major Content Update that added new heat mechanics and quests.

  • New Mechanics:

    • Child Labour Law - Maintenance: Allowed children to perform mundane tasks in dangerous places to boost efficiency.
    • Absence Compensation Law: Enabled citizens to work off their recovery time at night.
    • Prostheses Law - Makeshift Prostheses: Introduced temporary artificial limbs for citizens to work again.
  • New Announcements:

    • Frostpunk 1886: A reimagined version of the original game was announced, with improved visuals set for 2027.
    • Frostpunk Graphic Novel: A partnership with Rocketship Entertainment to create a graphic novel based on Frostpunk.
    • Monthly Series 'Revisiting New London': Insights from the Frostpunk 1886 development team were shared.
  • Balance Changes:

    • Patch 1.4: Released on September 18, 2025, this patch introduced full controller support and various UI improvements.
  • Modding Support:

    • The upcoming Frostpunk project will include mod support, a long-requested feature by the community.
  • Seasonal Events:

    • Frostpunk Franchise Sale: Announced on April 6, 2026, with discounts up to 90% on select products.
    • Frostpunk L.A.R.P. Sign-Up: Final week for sign-ups for the survival horror LARP event.

Year 7

Apr 24, 2024 - Apr 24, 2025

0 changes
Nothing notable this year.

Year 6

Apr 24, 2023 - Apr 24, 2024

9 changes

Frostpunk 2 Beta launched on April 15, 2024, providing players with a preview of the upcoming sequel's Utopia Builder. This beta experience allows players to explore about 40 percent of the full game, featuring new factions, maps, and exploration mechanics. Additionally, pre-orders for the Digital Deluxe Edition opened on March 6, including a 10% discount and access to a seven-day beta.

  • New Content: The Frostpunk 2 Beta showcased new gameplay elements and features.
    • Utopia Builder Preview: Live until April 22, 2024.
    • Digital Deluxe Edition Contents: Includes the base game, three post-release DLCs, and exclusive story mode access.
  • Gameplay Enhancements: The Utopia Builder Preview offered insights into new factions and exploration mechanics.
  • UI/UX Update: A Newsfeed panel was introduced on October 9, 2023, to keep players informed about game news.
    • Option to Disable Newsfeed: Players can turn off or temporarily hide the Newsfeed in settings.
  • Developer Insights: A developer commentary video was released on April 15, providing details on major changes coming in Frostpunk 2.

Year 5

Apr 24, 2022 - Apr 24, 2023

15 changes

Frostpunk saw the introduction of the Builders’ Monument in October 2022, a new building available exclusively in Endless Mode after subscribing to the publisher page. This update also included important UI tweaks to the Book of Laws for The Last Autumn campaign, enhancing the overall user experience.

  • New Building: The Builders’ Monument launched on October 11, 2022, adding a new strategic element for players in Endless Mode.
    • Available only after subscribing to the publisher page; not accessible in previous saves.
  • UI Enhancements:
    • UI tweaks for the Book of Laws were implemented on October 11, 2022, improving navigation and usability in The Last Autumn campaign.
    • A confirmation pop-up was added after claiming the Builders’ Monument, enhancing user feedback.
  • Localization Updates: Minor localization tweaks and fixes were also included in the October 11 update, ensuring better language support for players.

Year 4

Apr 24, 2021 - Apr 24, 2022

18 changes

Frostpunk expanded significantly with the release of three major DLCs on July 21, 2021, now available on consoles, along with the introduction of an online co-op mode on February 14, 2022. These updates brought fresh content and mechanics, enhancing the overall gameplay experience.

  • DLC Releases: All three expansions, On The Edge, The Rifts, and The Last Autumn, launched on consoles, adding new environments, mechanics, and challenges to the Frostpunk universe.

    • On The Edge: Introduced unique mechanics and a narrative involving citizens of New London on a special assignment.
    • The Rifts: Featured an Endless Mode map with gameplay mechanics to bridge rifts and access new areas.
    • The Last Autumn: Offered a prequel story with new Books of Laws, technologies, and buildings.
  • New Gameplay Mode: The online co-op mode allowed players to team up and tackle challenges together, greatly enhancing the multiplayer experience.

  • Free DLC Content: On March 24, 2022, a free Generator Model DLC was released, providing players with additional models for the Generator in the Model Builder.

  • Sales Events: There was a discount on the base game and Complete Edition during a free trial period for Children of Morta, highlighting the ongoing promotion of Frostpunk's offerings.

  • Bundle Availability: The Frost Builder Bundle was made available on March 24, 2022, allowing players to purchase Frostpunk and Model Builder at a discounted rate.

Year 3

Apr 24, 2020 - Apr 24, 2021

56 changes

On August 20, 2020, the highly anticipated On The Edge expansion launched for Frostpunk, marking a significant milestone as the third and final expansion for the game. This update introduced new mechanics, scenarios, and a fresh narrative following the events of the original game. Additionally, Frostpunk became available on macOS, expanding its reach to a new audience.

  • Major Expansion: On The Edge released, featuring a new scenario set after the Great Storm, along with unique maps, structures, and gameplay mechanics.
    • New settlements and 16 brand new areas were added for players to explore.
    • The expansion included new economic and diplomatic mechanics, allowing players to interact with other communities.
  • New Content: The game saw the introduction of several new features and scenarios.
    • The Rifts and The Last Autumn expansions were also released, adding new endless mode maps and prequel storylines.
    • Players gained access to new city structures and technologies to enhance their gameplay experience.
  • Gameplay Mechanics: New gameplay features were introduced to challenge players.
    • Players navigated the frozen wilderness and constructed Safe Routes to facilitate resource exchanges.
    • A new survival story presented challenges without the control of the Book of Laws, adding depth to gameplay.
  • Audio Update: The Original Soundtrack from the expansions was released, providing a fresh auditory experience for players.
  • UI Improvements: A revamped UI for the Administration Building improved communication with other communities.

Year 2

Apr 24, 2019 - Apr 24, 2020

64 changes

Frostpunk: The Last Autumn expansion launched on January 21, 2020, introducing a prequel story along with significant gameplay features. This expansion added 25 new buildings, a new character named Effie MacLachlan, and a fresh technology tree to explore, enhancing the game's depth and strategy.

  • New Gameplay Features: The Last Autumn expansion brought unique gameplay elements, including:

    • New Environment Without Snow: Players constructed the Generator in a visually distinct environment.
    • New Endless Mode Variant - Builders: This variant introduced fresh challenges with different setups.
    • New Social Classes and Mechanics: Convicts were added as a new social class, introducing additional gameplay dynamics.
  • Major Content Drops: Other notable releases included:

    • Frostpunk: Console Edition Launch: The game became available on Xbox One and PlayStation 4 on October 11, 2019.
    • Season Pass and The Rifts Mini-Expansion: Introduced on August 28, 2019, this included new Endless Mode maps and the ability to build The Bridge.
  • Balance & Gameplay Adjustments: Various changes improved gameplay, such as:

    • Advanced Strategies for Survival in The Last Autumn: Players learned to apply more complex strategies in the new environment.
    • Automatons' Role Adjustments: Automatons could no longer be employed in construction sites during Endless Mode.
  • Quality of Life Improvements: Several updates enhanced user experience, including:

    • Performance Optimization: General performance improvements were rolled out with the January 21 update.
    • Save Files Backward Compatibility Change: Backward compatibility for older saves was disabled to streamline gameplay.
  • New Achievements and Content: Players could now unlock new achievements and experience additional content, such as the custom music from The Last Autumn in the main menu.

Year 1

Apr 24, 2018 - Apr 24, 2019

169 changes

Endless Mode launched on November 19, 2018, offering players a free new way to experience Frostpunk with two distinct styles of play: 'Serenity' and 'Endurance'. Additionally, the expansion The Fall of Winterhome was released, providing a narrative-driven scenario that explores the events leading up to the main campaign. Other significant updates included the introduction of a new game mode called Survivor, which increased the difficulty and added permanent decisions.

  • New Scenarios:

    • The Fall of Winterhome introduced a new scenario that delves into the history of a fallen city.
    • The Builders scenario was also added, presenting players with unique challenges and storylines.
  • New Features and Mechanics:

    • Survivor Mode provided a heightened challenge for experienced players.
    • Randomised Frostlands in Endless Mode offered varied gameplay experiences.
    • New Buildings and Mechanics were introduced, including the Repair Station and a Christmas-themed quest line.
  • Gameplay Adjustments:

    • The controls and mechanics were revised for a smoother transition to consoles.
    • Randomized Weather became a feature in Endless Mode, enhancing replayability.
  • Balance Changes:

    • The building grid was revamped for improved layouts and easier building placement.
    • Starting resources for scenarios were adjusted to create a more balanced experience.
  • Localization Updates:

    • The addition of Brazilian Portuguese and Turkish languages expanded accessibility for players around the world.