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This article provides a curated summary of major releases to ''Spiral Knights'' since its launch. For the purpose of this article, major releases are those that introduce new game play or significantly alter game features.
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This article provides a curated history of ''Spiral Knights''. Most of the entries are releases that introduce new content or features. A few other entries describe changes to the business or community of the game.
  
For more detail, see the [https://forums.spiralknights.com/en/forum/8 Announcements forum] and [[Release/all]]. Note well that the latter has not been updated since 2016-05-18.
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Purely cosmetic releases are not included. Recurring events are not included after their first occurrence. Releases before the official 2011-04-04 launch are not included, because they are too numerous.
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For a more detailed record of all releases, see the [https://forums.spiralknights.com/en/forum/8 Announcements forum] and [[Release/all]]. Note well that Release/all has not been updated since 2016-05-18.
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==2020==
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[https://forums.spiralknights.com/en/node/123672 2020-10-19]: [[Lockdown]] camera pullback added. [[Shadow Lair]] monster health nerfed. Bug fixes.
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==2019==
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[https://forums.spiralknights.com/en/node/122323 2019-11-19]: Small bug fix patch. Corrections in [[Swiftstrike Buckler]]'s description and [[Jaws of Megalodon]] star rating, removal of "Flash Bash", and an additional tentacle spawn in front of the [[Treasure Mimic]].
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[https://forums.spiralknights.com/en/node/122323 2019-08-07]: The [[Turbillion]] sword and [[Misplaced Promissory Note]] trinket are introduced. Tweaks to the new [[Treasure Vault]]s and Lockdown. Payouts in [[Compound]]s increased. Confirmation that Shadow Lair difficulty is supposed to be higher than it was.
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[https://forums.spiralknights.com/en/node/122163 2019-06-27]: Treasure Vaults are renamed as [[Treasure Trove]]s. A new style of Treasure Vaults is introduced, with new monsters, board elements, and mini-boss. Also, new rooms and danger rooms are added to the mix seen in randomized Clockworks levels. Also, Shadow Lair difficulty seems to increase, perhaps accidentally (see comments [https://forums.spiralknights.com/en/node/122165 here]).
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[https://forums.spiralknights.com/en/node/122043 2019-05-15]: Steam Trade is no longer supported.
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[https://forums.spiralknights.com/en/node/121723 2019-02-15]: Lockdown Untiered occurs for the first time. During this event, tier requirements are removed and costumes are allowed.
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[https://forums.spiralknights.com/en/node/121603 2019-01-25]: Costume shields are introduced. [https://forums.spiralknights.com/en/node/121280 Separately], the [[Owlite Wand]] handgun is introduced.
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==2018==
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There were no major updates in 2018, although the developers did some back-end work and bug fixing. See for example [https://forums.spiralknights.com/es/node/120285 2018-05-12].
  
 
==2017==
 
==2017==
  
[https://forums.spiralknights.com/en/node/118821 2017-09-08]: Buffs to shard bombs and tortofist handguns.
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[https://forums.spiralknights.com/es/node/119275 2017-11-04]: Style kits are introduced. They allow you to store and manage appearance modifiers (personal color, eyes, height).
  
[https://forums.spiralknights.com/en/node/117900 2017-05-11]: Starlight Cradle update, including new sleep-themed armor, bomb, monsters, and levels. Amputator sword introduced.
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[https://forums.spiralknights.com/en/node/118821 2017-09-08]: Shard bombs and tortofist handguns are buffed, so that more shards can inflict damage on enemies.
  
[https://forums.spiralknights.com/en/node/117765 2017-04-25]: Removal of ''Spiral Knights'' from the Kongregate and ArmorGames platforms.
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[https://forums.spiralknights.com/en/node/117900 2017-05-11]: [[Starlight Cradle]] levels are introduced. New armor, swords, and bombs are added, themed around sleep and slimes.
  
[https://forums.spiralknights.com/en/node/117129 2017-01-20]: Hardcore Mode Activated event introduced (no auto-targeting in Lockdown).
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[https://forums.spiralknights.com/en/node/117765 2017-04-25]: ''Spiral Knights'' is removed from the Kongregate and ArmorGames platforms.
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[https://forums.spiralknights.com/en/node/117129 2017-01-20]: The Hardcore Mode Activated event occurs for the first time. During this event, there is no auto-targeting in Lockdown.
  
 
==2016==
 
==2016==
  
[https://forums.spiralknights.com/en/node/114677 2016-05-24]: Introduction of Golden Slime Casinos.
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[https://forums.spiralknights.com/en/node/114677 2016-05-24]: [[Golden Slime Casino]]s are introduced. During certain time periods, in certain Clockwork Tunnels levels, knights can play games of chance to obtain crowns and other prizes.
  
[https://forums.spiralknights.com/en/node/114100 2016-04-06]: Transfer of ''Spiral Knights'' ownership from Sega to Grey Havens. Support for German and French ends.
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[https://forums.spiralknights.com/en/node/114100 2016-04-06]: Ownership of ''Spiral Knights'' is transferred from Sega to Grey Havens. Support for the German and French languages ends.
  
 
==2015==
 
==2015==
  
[https://forums.spiralknights.com/en/node/109725 2015-05-13]: New missions for Rank 10-2, including a place to farm Radiant Fire Crystals.
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[https://forums.spiralknights.com/en/node/109725 2015-05-13]: Rank 10-2 missions are introduced. They include Dreams and Nightmares, where Radiant Fire Crystals can be farmed.
  
[https://forums.spiralknights.com/en/node/108149 2015-02-11]: New missions for Rank 10-1.
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[https://forums.spiralknights.com/en/node/108149 2015-02-11]: Rank 10-1 missions are introduced. They extend the rank missions past the original final boss, Lord Vanaduke.
  
 
==2014==
 
==2014==
  
[https://forums.spiralknights.com/en/node/106479 2014-12-03]: Gunner update, including new gunner armor, tweaks to guns, and new versions of guns.
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[https://forums.spiralknights.com/en/node/106479 2014-12-03]: The much-delayed gunner update arrives. It includes new gunner armor, tweaks to guns, and new versions of guns.
  
(!!By 2014-08-29 the Overcharged Mixmaster has been introduced.)
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[https://forums.spiralknights.com/en/node/104627 2014-09-17]: Several armor suits are added, themed around kats, in the fourth Kataclysmic Confrontation event. (Kat helmets were added in the first event.)
  
[https://forums.spiralknights.com/en/node/102787 2014-07-16]: Tortofist guns introduced (during the second March of the Tortodrones event).
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[https://forums.spiralknights.com/en/node/102787 2014-07-16]: Tortofist guns are introduced in the second March of the Tortodrones event. (Tortodrone shields were introduced in the first event.)
  
[[Release/all#2014-04-02|2014-04-02]]: Missions tweaked to enhance plot.
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[[Release/all#2014-05-21|2014-05-21]]: Several missions are tweaked to enhance the game's plot.
  
[[Release/all#2014-04-02|2014-04-02]]: Statue of Nick installed in Haven's Town Square. New user interface to toggle map. Tickets to recover accessories introduced.
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[[Release/all#2014-04-02|2014-04-02]]: A statue of Nick is installed in Haven's Town Square. Accessory recovery tickets are introduced. A new user interface lets players toggle a map overlay.
  
[https://forums.spiralknights.com/en/node/97724 2014-02-26]: An error causes the price of Prismatic Bolted Vees to plummet to zero.
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[https://forums.spiralknights.com/en/node/97724 2014-02-26]: An error causes the price of Prismatic Bolted Vees to plummet to zero. Sega scolds players who exploit the error.
  
[https://forums.spiralknights.com/en/node/97506 2014-02-26]: March of the Tortodrone event introduced. New tortodrone shields (but not yet tortofist guns).
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[https://forums.spiralknights.com/en/node/97506 2014-02-26]: The [[March of the Tortodrones]] event occurs for the first time. Tortodrone shields are introduced.
  
[[Release/all#2014-02-26|2014-02-26]]: Drop rate for Radiant Fire Crystals increased. (Sometime during the fall it had been severely decreased without any announcement.)
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[[Release/all#2014-02-26|2014-02-26]]: The drop rate for Radiant Fire Crystals is increased. (Sometime during the preceding months it was severely decreased without any announcement, leading to some player discontent.)
  
 
[https://forums.spiralknights.com/en/node/95943 2014-01-16]: Nick Popovich, the principal creator of ''Spiral Knights'', leaves the development team.
 
[https://forums.spiralknights.com/en/node/95943 2014-01-16]: Nick Popovich, the principal creator of ''Spiral Knights'', leaves the development team.
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==2013==
 
==2013==
  
[[Release/all#2013-12-11|2013-12-11]]: Attack, defense, and speed boosters (temporary bonuses dropped by monsters) introduced.
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[[Release/all#2013-12-11|2013-12-11]]: Attack, defense, and speed boosters (temporary bonuses dropped by monsters) are introduced.
  
[[Release/all#2013-10-23|2013-10-23]]: Shroud of the Apocrea event introduced. New obsidian sword, handgun, and bomb. Acheron buffed.
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[[Release/all#2013-10-23|2013-10-23]]: The [[Shroud of the Apocrea]] event occurs for the first time. A new sword, handgun, and bomb are added. Acheron is buffed.
  
[[Release/all#2013-10-16|2013-10-16]]: Arcade Redux Phase 1, including the following. Minerals are no longer deposited into Arcade gates. Instead, gates are generated randomly. User interface changes, including interfaces to help knights find materials. New pickups including barriers, artillery strike, ranger signal flare, and auto turret kit. Guild and knight names can now be changed.
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[[Release/all#2013-10-16|2013-10-16]]: This update is called Arcade Redux Phase 1. Minerals are no longer deposited into Arcade gates to affect gate construction. Instead, gates are generated randomly. There are tweaks to the user interface, including ways to help knights find materials. New pickups are added, including barriers, artillery strikes, ranger signal flares, and auto turret kits. Guild and knight names can now be changed.
  
 
[[Release/all#2013-09-25|2013-09-25]]: Operation: Crimson Hammer can now be purchased using energy rather than just real-world money.
 
[[Release/all#2013-09-25|2013-09-25]]: Operation: Crimson Hammer can now be purchased using energy rather than just real-world money.
  
[https://forums.spiralknights.com/en/node/84873 2013-07-30]: Battle sprites, Lab section of Haven, and three difficulty levels introduced. Sparks of Life replace the old reviving system. Altered recipes and mission rewards. New materials. Changes to how parties pick up loot. Overhaul of the game economy, including removal of mist energy and elevator fees and introduction of Orbs of Alchemy and the Forge. User interface changes.
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[https://forums.spiralknights.com/en/node/84873 2013-07-30]: This is the largest update in ''Spiral Knights'' history. [[Battle sprite]]s and three difficulty levels are introduced. The game economy is overhauled. Mist energy no longer exists, and elevators cost no energy. Crafting now occurs through Orbs of Alchemy and heating now occurs through the Forge. The Lab section of Haven and new scenario rooms are added. New materials are added, and recipes and mission rewards are altered. Sparks of Life replace the old reviving system, and each party member must pick up his or her own loot. Finally, the user interface is tweaked.
  
[[Release/all#2013-05-22|2013-05-22]]: Dash and shield bash actions introduced.  
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[[Release/all#2013-05-22|2013-05-22]]: The [[dash]] and [[Bash#Shield Bash|shield bash]] actions are introduced, adding variety to the tactics of the game.
  
[[Release/all#2013-05-01|2013-05-01]]: Gorgo monsters introduced. Greavers buffed.
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[[Release/all#2013-05-01|2013-05-01]]: Gorgo monsters are introduced, and greavers are buffed.
  
[[Release/all#2013-04-10|2013-04-10]]: Compound levels introduced.
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[[Release/all#2013-04-10|2013-04-10]]: Compound levels are introduced. They pair multiple themes with swarms of small monsters.
  
[[Release/all#2013-04-03|2013-04-03]]: User interface revamped. Devilites nerfed.
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[[Release/all#2013-04-03|2013-04-03]]: The user interface is revamped. Devilites are nerfed.
  
[https://forums.spiralknights.com/en/node/73222 2013-01-30]: Kataclysmic Confrontation event introduced. Moorcroft Manor level changed. New kat-themed armor. Book of Dark Rituals and Black Kat Cowl only hinted at. Chaos armor buffed. Guild hall themes and environments introduced.
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[https://forums.spiralknights.com/en/node/73222 2013-01-30]: The [[Kataclysmic Confrontation]] event occurs for the first time. The Moorcroft Manor level is changed accordingly. New helmets are added, themed around kats. (Interestingly, the release notes only hint at the Book of Dark Rituals and Black Kat Cowl. And kat suits are not added until a later event.) Chaos armor is buffed. Guild hall themes and environments are introduced.
  
 
==2012==
 
==2012==
  
[[Release/all#2012-11-14|2012-11-14]]: Guild halls now customizable. Homecoming Celebration includes free sword, shield, and furniture. Garrison section of Haven introduced.
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[[Release/all#2012-11-14|2012-11-14]]: [[Guild hall]]s are now customizable. The Homecoming Celebration event occurs. All players receive a free sword, shield, and piece of furniture. The Garrison section of Haven is added.
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[https://forums.spiralknights.com/en/node/64001 2012-09-12]: The [[Ghosts in the Machine]] danger mission is added. Spectator mode for player-vs-player battles is introduced.
  
[https://forums.spiralknights.com/en/node/64001 2012-09-12]: Ghosts in the Machine danger mission introduced. Spectator mode for player-vs-player introduced.
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[https://forums.spiralknights.com/en/node/63888 2012-09-05]: The length of piercing swords is decreased without any announcement. The change is [https://forums.spiralknights.com/en/node/63941#comment-525341 possibly an accident], but it is never reverted.
  
[[Release/all#2012-08-08|2012-08-08]]: Shard bombs revamped and new shard bombs introduced. Tweaks to other bombs.
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[[Release/all#2012-08-08|2012-08-08]]: Shard bombs are completely redesigned, with several new versions added. Other bombs are tweaked.
  
[[Release/all#2012-08-01|2012-08-01]]: Heart of Ice danger mission introduced.
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[[Release/all#2012-08-01|2012-08-01]]: The [[Heart of Ice]] danger mission is added.
  
[[Release/all#2012-06-19|2012-06-19]]: Compound 42 danger mission introduced.
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[[Release/all#2012-06-19|2012-06-19]]: The [[Compound 42]] danger mission is added.
  
[https://forums.spiralknights.com/en/node/58050 2012-06-28]: Danger missions introduced with Legion of Almire.
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[https://forums.spiralknights.com/en/node/58050 2012-06-28]: Danger missions are introduced, starting with just the [[Legion of Almire]] mission.
  
[[Release/all#2012-06-19|2012-06-19]]: Party Finder introduced.
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[[Release/all#2012-06-19|2012-06-19]]: The Party Finder is introduced, to help knights connect to each other.
  
[[Release/all#2012-05-09|2012-05-09]]: New early-game missions. Damage buffs to all handguns and bombs. Tweaks to swords, handguns, bombs, and some armor. Tweaks to monsters, payouts, levels, lighting.
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[[Release/all#2012-05-09|2012-05-09]]: New early-game missions are added. All handguns and bombs have their damage buffed. Swords, handguns, bombs, and some armor are tweaked. Monsters, payouts, levels, and lighting are tweaked.
  
[[Release/all#2012-04-25|2012-04-25]]: Process for creating new knights improved. Unique variants can now be locked at Punch.
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[[Release/all#2012-04-25|2012-04-25]]: The process for creating new knights has been enhanced. Unique variants can now be locked at Punch, altering the economics of unique variants.
  
[[Release/all#2012-04-18|2012-04-18]]: Height and eye modifiers introduced. Graphical optimizations.
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[[Release/all#2012-04-18|2012-04-18]]: Height and eye modifiers are introduced. The software enjoys several graphical optimizations.
  
[[Release/all#2012-04-10|2012-04-10]]: Prestige badges introduced.
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[[Release/all#2012-04-10|2012-04-10]]: Prestige badges are introduced, giving some concrete (if only cosmetic) benefit to knights with high prestige.
  
[https://forums.spiralknights.com/en/node/49466 2012-04-04]: Anniversary event introduced.
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[https://forums.spiralknights.com/en/node/49466 2012-04-04]: The [[Caketastrophe]] anniversary event is introduced.
  
[[Release/all#2012-03-22|2012-03-22]]: Many armors buffed, including Chaos. (Earlier that month, Volcanic Demo Suit buffed.) Sword attacks tweaked.
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[[Release/all#2012-03-22|2012-03-22]]: Many armors are buffed. (Earlier in the same month, Volcanic Demo Suit is buffed.) Sword attacks are tweaked.
  
[[Release/all#2012-03-07|2012-03-07]]: New rank missions introduced, though Vanguard rank. Dark Retribution-line bombs nerfed. Operation: Crimson Hammer tweaked.
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[[Release/all#2012-03-07|2012-03-07]]: New rank missions are added, though Vanguard rank. Bombs in the Dark Retribution line are nerfed. The Operation: Crimson Hammer mission is tweaked.
  
[[Release/all#2012-02-29|2012-02-29]]: Operation: Crimson Hammer mission introduced. New sword, bomb, and armor.
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[[Release/all#2012-02-29|2012-02-29]]: The [[Operation Crimson Hammer|Operation: Crimson Hammer]] mission is added. With it come a new sword, bomb, and armor.
  
[https://forums.spiralknights.com/en/node/44421 2012-02-22]: Missions and Supply Depot introduced. Gremlin Grounds levels and little gremlin monsters introduced. Changes to handguns, including damage types on Antigua-line guns.  
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[https://forums.spiralknights.com/en/node/44421 2012-02-22]: [[Mission]]s and the Supply Depot are introduced. Gremlin Grounds levels and little gremlin monsters are added. Several handguns are changed; in particular, Antigua-line guns change from split to pure damage.
  
[[Release/all#2012-01-04|2012-01-04]]: Wolvers, zombies, and retrodes nerfed.
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[[Release/all#2012-01-04|2012-01-04]]: Wolvers, zombies, and retrodes are nerfed.
  
 
==2011==
 
==2011==
  
[[Release/all#2011-12-19|2011-12-19]]: Drone monsters (wisps and shankles) introduced.
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[[Release/all#2011-12-19|2011-12-19]]: Drone monsters (wisps and shankles) are introduced.
  
[[Release/all#2011-12-12|2011-12-12]]: Winterfest event, Event Hub user interface, European servers, scenario rooms, craftable heart pendant trinkets introduced.  
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[[Release/all#2011-12-12|2011-12-12]]: The [[Winterfest]] event, Event Hub user interface, European servers, and craftable heart pendant trinkets are added. Scenario rooms are added to the list of rooms that can form randomly generated levels.
  
[[Release/all#2011-11-30|2011-11-30]]: Featured Auctions, Auction House item preview, and personal color change introduced.
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[[Release/all#2011-11-30|2011-11-30]]: Featured Auctions, Auction House item preview, and personal color changes are introduced.
  
[https://forums.spiralknights.com/en/node/33687 2011-11-17]: Three Rings acquired by Sega.
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[https://forums.spiralknights.com/en/node/33687 2011-11-17]: Three Rings is acquired by Sega.
  
[[Release/all#2011-11-16|2011-11-16]]: Arsenal stations introduced, so that knights can change equipment at the start of each level, rather than just at the start of each stratum.
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[[Release/all#2011-11-16|2011-11-16]]: Arsenal stations are introduced, so that knights can change equipment at the start of each level, rather than just at the start of each stratum.
  
[https://forums.spiralknights.com/en/node/29852 2011-10-21]: Divine Avenger charge attack changed, so that it fails when the knight's back is against a wall.
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[https://forums.spiralknights.com/en/node/29852 2011-10-21]: The Divine Avenger charge attack is changed, so that it fails when the knight's back is against a wall.
  
[https://forums.spiralknights.com/en/node/29852 2011-10-19]: Shadow Lairs introduced. New armor. Royal Jelly fight changed. Dark Harvest Festival event introduced.
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[https://forums.spiralknights.com/en/node/29852 2011-10-19]: [[Shadow Lair]]s are introduced. With them come new armor sets. The Royal Jelly fight is nerfed. The [[Dark Harvest Festival]] event is added.
  
[https://forums.spiralknights.com/en/node/27649 2011-10-05]: Accessories, lockboxes, Prize Wheel, and Boost merchant introduced.
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[https://forums.spiralknights.com/en/node/27649 2011-10-05]: [[Accessory|Accessories]], lockboxes, and the Prize Wheel are introduced.
  
[https://forums.spiralknights.com/en/node/25091 2011-09-14]: Lockdown player-vs-player game and loadouts introduced.
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[https://forums.spiralknights.com/en/node/25091 2011-09-14]: The second player-vs-player game, [[Lockdown]], is added. Loadouts are introduced to help knights switch their equipment rapidly.
  
[https://forums.spiralknights.com/en/node/23420 2011-09-02]: Candlestick Keep levels introduced. Danger rooms changed.
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[https://forums.spiralknights.com/en/node/23420 2011-09-02]: [[Candlestick Keep]] levels are added. Danger rooms are redesigned.
  
[https://forums.spiralknights.com/en/node/22053 2011-08-22]: Polyp and howlitzer monsters introduced.
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[https://forums.spiralknights.com/en/node/22053 2011-08-22]: Polyp and howlitzer monsters are added.
  
[https://forums.spiralknights.com/en/node/19009 2011-08-02]: Player-vs-player introduced with Blast Network game. New swords, handguns, bombs, and trinkets. Recipe tweaks.
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[https://forums.spiralknights.com/en/node/19009 2011-08-02]: Player-vs-player competition is introduced with its first game, [[Blast Network]]. New swords, handguns, bombs, and trinkets are added as rewards for player-vs-player. Recipes are tweaked.
  
[https://forums.spiralknights.com/en/node/16741 2011-07-20]: Punch (buying unique variants) and Vise (unbinding items) merchants introduced. Crafting can give up to three unique variants. Tweaks to some levels.
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[https://forums.spiralknights.com/en/node/16741 2011-07-20]: [[Punch]] (unique variants) and [[Vise]] (unbinding) merchants are added. Crafting can now endow up to three unique variants. Some levels are tweaked.
  
[https://forums.spiralknights.com/en/node/14006 2011-07-06]: Ironclaw Munitions Factory levels introduced. New armor, handguns, and bombs. Tweaks to swords, handguns, and bombs.
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[https://forums.spiralknights.com/en/node/14006 2011-07-06]: The [[Ironclaw Munitions Factory]] levels are introduced. With them come new armor, handguns, and bombs. Swords, handguns, and bombs are tweaked.
  
[https://forums.spiralknights.com/en/node/11315 2011-06-14]: ''Spiral Knights'' becomes available through the Steam platform. (The exact date is hard to pin down, but 2011-06-14 is the first mention of Steam in the release notes and the Announcements forum.) There is a huge influx of new players.
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[https://forums.spiralknights.com/en/node/11315 2011-06-14]: ''Spiral Knights'' becomes available through the [[Steam]] platform. (The exact date is hard to pin down, but 2011-06-14 is the first mention of Steam in the release notes and the Announcements forum.) There is a huge influx of new players.
  
[https://forums.spiralknights.com/en/node/10863 2011-06-09]: Miscellaneous tweaks, including the canonization of which damage types are inflicted by which monster families. Blackened Crest shield now available from Brinks.
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[https://forums.spiralknights.com/en/node/10863 2011-06-09]: The game enjoys miscellaneous tweaks, including the canonization of which damage types are inflicted by which monster families. The Blackened Crest shield is now available from Brinks.
  
[https://forums.spiralknights.com/en/node/10200 2011-06-02]: Gloaming Wildwoods levels introduced. New sword, bomb, and shield.
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[https://forums.spiralknights.com/en/node/10200 2011-06-02]: The [[Gloaming Wildwoods]] levels are introduced. With them come a new sword, bomb, and shield.
  
[[Release/all#2011-05-26|2011-05-26]]: Achievements introduced.
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[[Release/all#2011-05-26|2011-05-26]]: [[Achievement]]s are introduced.
  
[https://forums.spiralknights.com/en/node/8522 2011-05-17]: Auction House and Advanced Training Hall introduced. Crafting costs increase and recipe costs decrease. Upgrading a bound item produces a bound item, altering the economy for pre-crafted items.
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[https://forums.spiralknights.com/en/node/8522 2011-05-17]: The [[Auction House]] and [[Advanced Training Hall]] are added to Haven. Crafting costs are increased and recipe costs are decreased. Upgrading a bound item now produces a bound item, altering the economy for pre-crafted items.
  
[https://forums.spiralknights.com/en/node/5661 2011-04-27]: Piercing swords and high-star Brandishes introduced.
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[https://forums.spiralknights.com/en/node/5661 2011-04-27]: Piercing swords and high-star Brandishes are introduced.
  
[https://forums.spiralknights.com/en/node/2159 2011-04-04]: ''Spiral Knights'' official launch. Over the next few months, bug fixes and tweaks too numerous to be catalogued here.
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[https://forums.spiralknights.com/en/node/2159 2011-04-04]: ''Spiral Knights'' officially launches.

Latest revision as of 13:52, 21 October 2020

This article provides a curated history of Spiral Knights. Most of the entries are releases that introduce new content or features. A few other entries describe changes to the business or community of the game.

Purely cosmetic releases are not included. Recurring events are not included after their first occurrence. Releases before the official 2011-04-04 launch are not included, because they are too numerous.

For a more detailed record of all releases, see the Announcements forum and Release/all. Note well that Release/all has not been updated since 2016-05-18.

2020

2020-10-19: Lockdown camera pullback added. Shadow Lair monster health nerfed. Bug fixes.

2019

2019-11-19: Small bug fix patch. Corrections in Swiftstrike Buckler's description and Jaws of Megalodon star rating, removal of "Flash Bash", and an additional tentacle spawn in front of the Treasure Mimic.

2019-08-07: The Turbillion sword and Misplaced Promissory Note trinket are introduced. Tweaks to the new Treasure Vaults and Lockdown. Payouts in Compounds increased. Confirmation that Shadow Lair difficulty is supposed to be higher than it was.

2019-06-27: Treasure Vaults are renamed as Treasure Troves. A new style of Treasure Vaults is introduced, with new monsters, board elements, and mini-boss. Also, new rooms and danger rooms are added to the mix seen in randomized Clockworks levels. Also, Shadow Lair difficulty seems to increase, perhaps accidentally (see comments here).

2019-05-15: Steam Trade is no longer supported.

2019-02-15: Lockdown Untiered occurs for the first time. During this event, tier requirements are removed and costumes are allowed.

2019-01-25: Costume shields are introduced. Separately, the Owlite Wand handgun is introduced.

2018

There were no major updates in 2018, although the developers did some back-end work and bug fixing. See for example 2018-05-12.

2017

2017-11-04: Style kits are introduced. They allow you to store and manage appearance modifiers (personal color, eyes, height).

2017-09-08: Shard bombs and tortofist handguns are buffed, so that more shards can inflict damage on enemies.

2017-05-11: Starlight Cradle levels are introduced. New armor, swords, and bombs are added, themed around sleep and slimes.

2017-04-25: Spiral Knights is removed from the Kongregate and ArmorGames platforms.

2017-01-20: The Hardcore Mode Activated event occurs for the first time. During this event, there is no auto-targeting in Lockdown.

2016

2016-05-24: Golden Slime Casinos are introduced. During certain time periods, in certain Clockwork Tunnels levels, knights can play games of chance to obtain crowns and other prizes.

2016-04-06: Ownership of Spiral Knights is transferred from Sega to Grey Havens. Support for the German and French languages ends.

2015

2015-05-13: Rank 10-2 missions are introduced. They include Dreams and Nightmares, where Radiant Fire Crystals can be farmed.

2015-02-11: Rank 10-1 missions are introduced. They extend the rank missions past the original final boss, Lord Vanaduke.

2014

2014-12-03: The much-delayed gunner update arrives. It includes new gunner armor, tweaks to guns, and new versions of guns.

2014-09-17: Several armor suits are added, themed around kats, in the fourth Kataclysmic Confrontation event. (Kat helmets were added in the first event.)

2014-07-16: Tortofist guns are introduced in the second March of the Tortodrones event. (Tortodrone shields were introduced in the first event.)

2014-05-21: Several missions are tweaked to enhance the game's plot.

2014-04-02: A statue of Nick is installed in Haven's Town Square. Accessory recovery tickets are introduced. A new user interface lets players toggle a map overlay.

2014-02-26: An error causes the price of Prismatic Bolted Vees to plummet to zero. Sega scolds players who exploit the error.

2014-02-26: The March of the Tortodrones event occurs for the first time. Tortodrone shields are introduced.

2014-02-26: The drop rate for Radiant Fire Crystals is increased. (Sometime during the preceding months it was severely decreased without any announcement, leading to some player discontent.)

2014-01-16: Nick Popovich, the principal creator of Spiral Knights, leaves the development team.

2013

2013-12-11: Attack, defense, and speed boosters (temporary bonuses dropped by monsters) are introduced.

2013-10-23: The Shroud of the Apocrea event occurs for the first time. A new sword, handgun, and bomb are added. Acheron is buffed.

2013-10-16: This update is called Arcade Redux Phase 1. Minerals are no longer deposited into Arcade gates to affect gate construction. Instead, gates are generated randomly. There are tweaks to the user interface, including ways to help knights find materials. New pickups are added, including barriers, artillery strikes, ranger signal flares, and auto turret kits. Guild and knight names can now be changed.

2013-09-25: Operation: Crimson Hammer can now be purchased using energy rather than just real-world money.

2013-07-30: This is the largest update in Spiral Knights history. Battle sprites and three difficulty levels are introduced. The game economy is overhauled. Mist energy no longer exists, and elevators cost no energy. Crafting now occurs through Orbs of Alchemy and heating now occurs through the Forge. The Lab section of Haven and new scenario rooms are added. New materials are added, and recipes and mission rewards are altered. Sparks of Life replace the old reviving system, and each party member must pick up his or her own loot. Finally, the user interface is tweaked.

2013-05-22: The dash and shield bash actions are introduced, adding variety to the tactics of the game.

2013-05-01: Gorgo monsters are introduced, and greavers are buffed.

2013-04-10: Compound levels are introduced. They pair multiple themes with swarms of small monsters.

2013-04-03: The user interface is revamped. Devilites are nerfed.

2013-01-30: The Kataclysmic Confrontation event occurs for the first time. The Moorcroft Manor level is changed accordingly. New helmets are added, themed around kats. (Interestingly, the release notes only hint at the Book of Dark Rituals and Black Kat Cowl. And kat suits are not added until a later event.) Chaos armor is buffed. Guild hall themes and environments are introduced.

2012

2012-11-14: Guild halls are now customizable. The Homecoming Celebration event occurs. All players receive a free sword, shield, and piece of furniture. The Garrison section of Haven is added.

2012-09-12: The Ghosts in the Machine danger mission is added. Spectator mode for player-vs-player battles is introduced.

2012-09-05: The length of piercing swords is decreased without any announcement. The change is possibly an accident, but it is never reverted.

2012-08-08: Shard bombs are completely redesigned, with several new versions added. Other bombs are tweaked.

2012-08-01: The Heart of Ice danger mission is added.

2012-06-19: The Compound 42 danger mission is added.

2012-06-28: Danger missions are introduced, starting with just the Legion of Almire mission.

2012-06-19: The Party Finder is introduced, to help knights connect to each other.

2012-05-09: New early-game missions are added. All handguns and bombs have their damage buffed. Swords, handguns, bombs, and some armor are tweaked. Monsters, payouts, levels, and lighting are tweaked.

2012-04-25: The process for creating new knights has been enhanced. Unique variants can now be locked at Punch, altering the economics of unique variants.

2012-04-18: Height and eye modifiers are introduced. The software enjoys several graphical optimizations.

2012-04-10: Prestige badges are introduced, giving some concrete (if only cosmetic) benefit to knights with high prestige.

2012-04-04: The Caketastrophe anniversary event is introduced.

2012-03-22: Many armors are buffed. (Earlier in the same month, Volcanic Demo Suit is buffed.) Sword attacks are tweaked.

2012-03-07: New rank missions are added, though Vanguard rank. Bombs in the Dark Retribution line are nerfed. The Operation: Crimson Hammer mission is tweaked.

2012-02-29: The Operation: Crimson Hammer mission is added. With it come a new sword, bomb, and armor.

2012-02-22: Missions and the Supply Depot are introduced. Gremlin Grounds levels and little gremlin monsters are added. Several handguns are changed; in particular, Antigua-line guns change from split to pure damage.

2012-01-04: Wolvers, zombies, and retrodes are nerfed.

2011

2011-12-19: Drone monsters (wisps and shankles) are introduced.

2011-12-12: The Winterfest event, Event Hub user interface, European servers, and craftable heart pendant trinkets are added. Scenario rooms are added to the list of rooms that can form randomly generated levels.

2011-11-30: Featured Auctions, Auction House item preview, and personal color changes are introduced.

2011-11-17: Three Rings is acquired by Sega.

2011-11-16: Arsenal stations are introduced, so that knights can change equipment at the start of each level, rather than just at the start of each stratum.

2011-10-21: The Divine Avenger charge attack is changed, so that it fails when the knight's back is against a wall.

2011-10-19: Shadow Lairs are introduced. With them come new armor sets. The Royal Jelly fight is nerfed. The Dark Harvest Festival event is added.

2011-10-05: Accessories, lockboxes, and the Prize Wheel are introduced.

2011-09-14: The second player-vs-player game, Lockdown, is added. Loadouts are introduced to help knights switch their equipment rapidly.

2011-09-02: Candlestick Keep levels are added. Danger rooms are redesigned.

2011-08-22: Polyp and howlitzer monsters are added.

2011-08-02: Player-vs-player competition is introduced with its first game, Blast Network. New swords, handguns, bombs, and trinkets are added as rewards for player-vs-player. Recipes are tweaked.

2011-07-20: Punch (unique variants) and Vise (unbinding) merchants are added. Crafting can now endow up to three unique variants. Some levels are tweaked.

2011-07-06: The Ironclaw Munitions Factory levels are introduced. With them come new armor, handguns, and bombs. Swords, handguns, and bombs are tweaked.

2011-06-14: Spiral Knights becomes available through the Steam platform. (The exact date is hard to pin down, but 2011-06-14 is the first mention of Steam in the release notes and the Announcements forum.) There is a huge influx of new players.

2011-06-09: The game enjoys miscellaneous tweaks, including the canonization of which damage types are inflicted by which monster families. The Blackened Crest shield is now available from Brinks.

2011-06-02: The Gloaming Wildwoods levels are introduced. With them come a new sword, bomb, and shield.

2011-05-26: Achievements are introduced.

2011-05-17: The Auction House and Advanced Training Hall are added to Haven. Crafting costs are increased and recipe costs are decreased. Upgrading a bound item now produces a bound item, altering the economy for pre-crafted items.

2011-04-27: Piercing swords and high-star Brandishes are introduced.

2011-04-04: Spiral Knights officially launches.

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