Steam

When the Stars Threw Down Their Spears

Also known as When the Stars Threw Down Their Spears, steam:4464780, when stars threw down their spears

When the Stars Threw Down Their Spears is a story-rich, retro space shooter inspired by DOS-era space games like Star Control, Solar Winds, and Lightspeed. Blast your way through fast-paced arcade combat; build out modular, upgradable ships; and explore a galaxy torn by war.

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Last update

9 Jun 2026

Original sources

Latest update

Patch notesPublished 20d ago

June Update: Next Fest and Devlog on Fighters

Hello again! Steam Next Fest starts next week, the demo has stabilized, and I'm hard at work on the full game behind the scenes. I'm planning to do monthly dev logs moving forward so you all can see what I'm up to as I…

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Latest updates

Update history

Browse past updates and patch notes for this game.

12updates

May 2026
Demo v1.29This build brings lots of improvements: the demo now allows players to remap keys and buttons, the HUD provides better information about ammunition and fuel in flight, controller responsiveness is improved, and the ship…Announcementv1.2910 changesUI/audioGameplay11 May 2026
This demo build includes lots of art improvements and bugfixes, including a big improvement to the shipyard user interface, and smaller improvements to enemy logic and auto-zoom: -- Significant rework of the shipyard me…v1.268 changesFixUI/audioStore04 May 2026
April 2026
There's a new demo build that squashes a bunch of bugs, and also marks the premiere of some awesome new store art for the game! This build includes the following changes and fixes: -- Fixed issues with escape pod launch…v1.249 changesFixUI/audioStore27 Apr 2026
Demo Build v1.20This build includes many bug and dialog improvements, as well as an mprovement to the shipyard user interface. -- Added significantly more dialog with certain characters -- Added an additional small screen in the shipya…Announcementv1.2012 changesFixUI/audio17 Apr 2026
Demo v1.18This build includes many significant improvements to the user interface, improves lots of game art, and fixes several bugs -- Added audio and visual feedback when a player attempts to fire a weapon that is out of ammuni…Announcementv1.1810 changesFixUI/audio11 Apr 2026
Demo v.1.13This build includes major changes to game difficulty and enemy AI, new player controls (including strafing and WASD controls), a graphical overhaul for space stations, as well as numerous bugfixes! -- Due to a bug, enem…Announcementv1.138 changesFixGameplay03 Apr 2026
March 2026
Here's a new demo build that significantly improves ship handling, adds a handful of quality of life fixes, and fixes a bunch of other minor bugs! -- Improved responsiveness of all player ship controls to reduce "floati…v1.129 changesFixGameplayPatch notes27 Mar 2026
Demo v1.10Here's a new demo build that adds a quest log/journal and continues to improve Steam deck and game pad handling to make ship controls better when using game pads or a Steam deck. The build also fixes several bugs. --Add…Announcementv1.107 changesFixGameplay25 Mar 2026
Demo v1.08Here's a new demo build that improves Steam deck and game pad handling to make ship controls less "slippery" when using game pads or a Steam deck. The build also fixes several bugs. --Changed controller handling to make…Announcementv1.087 changesFixGameplay23 Mar 2026
Demo v1.04There's a new demo build out that fixes several bugs, and includes a graphical overhaul of the shipyard to make it more intuitive. --Fixed rare crash on scene change --Fixed quirk in enemy behavior that could prevent th…Announcementv1.049 changesFixGameplay20 Mar 2026
Demo v1.0 Launched!When the Stars Threw Down Their Spears now has a full-featured demo where you can take on deadly pirates preying on a galaxy wracked by war! The demo is packed with fast-paced arcade-style combat, and has about two hour…Announcementv1.01 changeGameplay13 Mar 2026

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