Patch Notes: 2026.2.8

This update is a big one — packed with new systems, smarter enemies, mission reworks, and a full meta‑progression layer that transforms how you grow across runs. Whether you're a returning player or diving in for the first time, this build brings fresh energy, new goals, and a ton of reasons to jump back into the swarm.

🆕 Major Additions

• Meta Mission & Progression System (≈40 missions) A full meta‑progression layer has been added.

  • Bear character, Black Market, Grinder Drone, and LasCannon Drone are now unlocked through meta missions.

  • Important: This update wipes all existing save files due to structural changes.

• Weapon Upgrade System A new upgrade system allows players to enhance weapons during runs.

  • Every level now contains a Weapon Upgrade Box at a random location.

  • Riot Suppressors now drop a Weapon Upgrade Box when destroyed.

⚔️ Combat & Weapon Improvements

• Projectiles now correctly account for relative velocity.

• Orbital weapon targeting improvements:

  • Gatling Cannon Orbit: Random → Nearest

  • Taser Gun Orbit: Random → Highest HP

  • Orbital weapons no longer target outside their orbit radius.

• Small Grinder Drone: stability and behavior fixes.

👾 Enemy Behavior & Level Logic

• Improved enemy pathfinding for smoother navigation.

• Improved enemy spawn logic for more consistent pacing.

• Added track effects for TPVs and Riot Suppressors.

🌍 Level & Mission Updates

• Campers’ Hill:

  • Increased raid length.

  • Updated lighting.

• Lighthouse:

  • Riot Suppressor removed from this level.

  • Updated lighting.

• The Port:

  • Main mission changed from “Survive” to “Destroy enemy Riot Suppressors”.

• Increased Xalium rewards for completing levels.

• Increased Xalium drop chance and amount from TPVs and Pirate Bikers.

🎮 UI & UX Improvements

• New UI tooltips added.

• Small UI adjustments across menus.

• Ability to skip the rewards screen using Esc or Gamepad South Button.

• Updated decal durations for better visual clarity.

⚙️ Fixes

• Fixed an issue where drops could spawn in invalid or unreachable positions.

📌 Difficulty Naming Update

• Difficulty tiers renamed:

  • Easy → Normal

  • Normal → Hard

  • Hard → Extreme

🚀 Final Notes

This update marks a major step forward for Steel Swarm: Survivor, and we’re incredibly excited for you to experience the new progression, missions, and combat flow. Your feedback has been shaping the game every step of the way — and with these systems in place, the next phase of development gets even more fun. Jump in, try the new builds, and let us know how your runs evolve. The swarm awaits.