Nova Drift — patch notes and updates
Stored observation / content update:
Dated developer announcements recorded from Steam. Open the source for the complete update.
| Update | Date | Excerpt / source |
|---|---|---|
| - Save And Quit Feature is Live - // - Many Tweaks + Balance Pass + Bug Fixes - | 2026-03-27 | Hello all,Today we are launching not one but TWO major versions that have been brewing in the beta branches for months: 1.2.37 : Save and Quit Feature + minor fixes 1.2.35 : A huge amount of fixes, tweaks, and a balance pass But of course this is all rolled into 1.2.37, which you should now have access to in the default branch. Read the entire patch notes here.Here are the highlights:- Added a Save and Quit feature: Resume your game-in-progress anytime!Note that when using Resume, your score will not be submitted to online leaderboards.Added settings for the Save and Quit / Resume run feature which allows you to toggle when your run should be |
| - Nova Drift Mobile Out Now // Upcoming Features & DLC - | 2026-03-10 | Hello all, It's been a while since we dropped any news, and as usual there is a lot going on: Nova Drift Mobile - Now AvailableThe mobile version features a highly customizable touch-control scheme, mobile gamepad support, optimized performance, and all features from the PC version.You can buy the Premium version or try out the free, but limited Lite version. The Premium version is the full game, and the Lite version is a free demo that lets you play until wave 60 and limits unlocks.Neither have any ads or IAP. There's even itch.io build for Android if you don't use the Play store.🔹iOS Premium: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/nova-drift/id6744 |
| Nova Drift news, Chimeric's next game, and Pixeljam's DINO RUN 2! | 2025-09-08 | Dear Drifters, I know I've been pretty quiet lately, but there's been a lot going on behind the scenes. I'll catch you up, and then I'd like to tell you about the next Pixeljam game, Dino Run 2, which I was a big part of way back before Nova Drift!Chimeric News:If you're not already aware, Nova Drift was built in GameMaker. This often surprises people. I think this is partially because of how far we've pushed its capabilities, but also because people don't realize how far GameMaker has come since its early days when it was known as more of a hobbyist's tool. It's powerful now! Still, as we work on porting for mobile and consoles, we're starti |
| Nova Drift 1.2 Is Out: Daily Challenge Mode // World Ocean Day Charity Event | 2025-06-05 | Nova Drift's new game mode, Daily Challenge is now included as a free update! But before I get into the details, I'd like to remind everyone that the World Ocean Day Steam Sale is live now. 100+ other games are participating, and any of your purchases will support vital conservation work to create safer seas for whales and dolphins, as well as fund a brand-new project to retrieve lost ocean fishing gear. Also, there are some amazing titles in the mix! See what's for sale: World Ocean Day Steam Sale 2025 One week left to claim your Nova Drift OST on Vinyl! Also, our Campaign to bring the Nova Original Soundtrack to Vinyl is more than halfway o |
| On the Virtues of Gaslighting Your Community | 2025-06-01 | I have a confession to make. I have been living a lie for far too long, and the guilt weighs on my conscience like a great, barnacled, blubbery mass. Lately, it's taken all my energy to keep my head above water, so I'm just going to spout it out: It exists. There is a Space Whale. Whew... That's a relief. I feel like I can breathe again. So... context. If you're not already a member of our Discord community, this statement makes no sense. You see, I have been denying its existence for more than 7 years. It does exist, though it hasn't always, and it is very, very rare. What started as a running in-joke got carried away, and today I will tell |
| Major Update On June 5th / OST Vinyl Crowdfunding / Streaming Starts ASAP! | 2025-05-28 | Hello all, If you didn't already know, the Daily Challenge Update will launch on June 5th. It's stable and ready for you to preview in the BETA branch if you want to check it out early. Thanks to everyone that helped us shape it up over the last few months. Also, Pixeljam is going to start streaming again to support the Kickstarter Campaign to get the Nova Drift soundtrack on vinyl and CD. The campaign is 40% funded with only 2 weeks left, so we really need your support to make it happen! Even if you don't want vinyl or CDs, there are plenty of digital-only rewards for those that pledge. Click here to visit the campaign. I'm going to start st |
| - The Nova Drift Soundtrack on Vinyl and CD Kickstarter Is Live - | 2025-05-20 | The Kickstarter Campaign to bring the Nova Drift Soundtrack to Vinyl and Compact Disc has launched! Check it out: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/milestilmann/nova-drift-soundtrack-on-vinyl-and-cd Printed on BioVinyl, no toxic dino-sludge involved. Compact disc options for those that could give 2 craps about vinyl. Digital-only rewards for those that could give 3 craps about physical rewards. Grab some extra discounted Steam keys for your buddies! No-reward option for those that like to put money into creative projects and receive nothing in return (wow!) Shipping to 6 different countries supported now, but if we get enough requests for |
| -Daily Challenge Beta Test Is Live / Soundtrack Vinyl & CD Details- | 2025-05-02 | Hello Drifters, After much blood, sweat, and a few minor electrocutions, the Daily Challenge Update is ready for beta testing! Switch to the BETA branch on Steam to check it out. Here are the details: Take on a new seeded challenge each day. Here are 3 examples: Boss Rush: Face a gauntlet of every boss. Bosses are faster and much tougher. You earn massively increased score and experience. Serpentine Drift: Begin your journey as a Leviathan and munch orbs to increase your size. Protect your head, and don't chomp your own tail! Your only threats are cosmic hazards and yourself. Super Nova Brothers: Begin your journey alongside a unique and powe |
| Poll: Should We Release The Nova Drift OST on Vinyl? | 2025-04-08 | Hello all, I'm considering pressing up vinyl for the Nova Drift Soundtrack, but I only want to move forward on it if there is enough interest. It would not be the entire soundtrack (since it's almost 3 hours long), but probably 2 discs (4 sides, about 15-20 mins each side) of select tracks from the OST, with some player input about what's included as well. So... drop any comment here (doesn't matter what the comment says, "+1" is good enough) if you would actually be interested in purchasing it on release. Price would probably be around 30 dollars for a double disc set or 20 dollars for a single disc, depending on how many we made and the pro |
| Steam Deck Hotfix - V. 1.1.12 | 2025-01-27 | Made a few changes to comply with Steam Deck verification requirements: Fixed non-value settings items getting greyed out incorrectly on Steam Deck Fixed Window Size setting being selectable on Steam Deck Fixed loading and saving settings that are disabled on Steam Deck Fixed Custom Skin sprite overlapping the score on the End Score screen Upgrade screen descriptions now use the standard-scaling small font to comply with Steam Deck text size requirements We now hide key indicators in construct UI when using gamepad controls We now don't grey out the Online Leaderboard setting item on Steam Deck Fixed line wrapping length in end game unlock me |
| - Nova Drift x Genome Guardian Bundle Launched - | 2025-01-14 | Announcing our latest Steam Bundle: Genome Guardian is a criminally underexposed game and I aim to do something about it. It's a perfect fit alongside Nova Drift, so we are bundling UP. Genome Guardian is a turret roguelite survival game. There's a lot I like about it. It's well presented, creative, funny, and inventive. There is also a huge amount of content to unlock. I particularly like the weapon combination system which is a blast to experiment with. Any combination of Pistol, Shotgun, SMG, or Bomb results in a unique weapon type, for a total of 70 weapons. Just as you starting to master it, it'll surprise you with entirely new game mode |
| Nova Drift 1.1 is now live: Steam Deck Shine-Up | 2025-01-13 | Hello Drifters, This update focuses on achieving two main goals: Offering an even smoother experience on Steam Deck than we already do, and preparing the game for porting. While there are many optimization challenges associated with porting (the focus of the next update), I'm particularly excited to share the game experience with mobile and Switch players. A few highlights from 1.1: Reworked the Settings menus: Each category section is now a tabbed page Fonts are crisper & more readable, especially at non-native / small resolutions Ensured all controller glyphs, tutorials, and messages are accurate, large, and clear for Steam Deck and future |
| Nova Drift's Demo is OUT! // Console progress & what we're working on | 2024-10-24 | Nova Drift's Free Demo Is Now Available! If you're one of the many people who have wishlisted Nova Drift, but haven't pulled the trigger, the demo is HERE. Tell your friends. They must know the exaltation of biomechanical wings cutting graceful arcs through luminiferous aether. You can show them. The Demo Version allows you to reach wave 60, and rank your account up to 15. We even snuck in some Super Mods so players can learn how they work earlier than you'd normally access them. Check it, here. Porting Prep Even though we've been pretty quiet, we've been busy: Steam Deck Verification Nova Drift is already perfectly playable on Steam Deck, bu |
| We've launched Steam Bundles! Complete your collections. | 2024-09-27 | DRIFT AND DRAFT Bundle I'm excited to announce the Nova Drift + Slay The Spire bundle is now available on Steam! You can get both, or you can complete the set, with a 10% Discount. Slay the Spire is one of those games that left a permanent mark on the game industry, and I think I speak for a lot of devs when I say that playing it changed the way that I design forever. There's a reason it's still going strong 7 years after release, and why it's so hard to exceed despite countless iterations on the formula. It gets a huge endorsement from me. More importantly, Snecko says BUY NOW @_@ https://store.steampowered.com/bundle/45418/Nova_Drift__Slay_ |
| Post-Launch Report! Custom Skins For Nova Drift and Pixeljam's Next Game | 2024-09-06 | Hello everyone, thanks so much for what has been an amazing launch. I really appreciate all the positive energy sent our way, and we're excited for what comes next. Today we've got information for you in two parts. I'd like to talk about Pixeljam's next game, as well as go over how to create your own custom skins for Nova Drift, and share some awesome community creations. First, allow me to introduce: +UTOPIA MUST FALL+ A base-defending arcade game, created by Datassette and our very own Miles Tilmann (the musician and publisher behind Nova Drift), Utopia Must Fall is releasing Monday the 9th. It's the first internally developed game by Pixel |
| Version 1.013 HOTFIX | 2024-08-29 | Hello all, The final bug fixes from 1.0 launch are live, including the one that causes cursor drift. Other changes include Star Eater boss tweaks and updates to the way the window repositions. Full changelog here as usual: https://steamcommunity.com/app/858210/discussions/0/3658515990056189069/ |
| - Version 1.09 Hotfix - | 2024-08-27 | Hello all, We just updated to version 1.09, with some small hotfixes addressing some rare crashes and bugs. We're currently testing a balance pass for the final boss, as well as a fix for the cursor drift some players are experiencing in Windowed Mode. I expect these changes will be live within a week. If you'd like to experience them sooner, feel free to switch over to the beta branch. Changelog for 1.09: https://steamcommunity.com/app/858210/discussions/0/3658515990056189069/ |
| Nova Drift Has Reached Full Release! | 2024-08-12 | Early Access has finally ended... Nova Drift Version 1.0 is now available! New Features: Added a final boss(!) Added the game ending sequence, which you will encounter if the Endless challenge mode is disabled Endless Mode can now be turned off, and unlocks when you first beat the game's final boss for the first time Added new sound effects and 4 new background music tracks, completing the OST Added the ability to override body and drone artwork with custom skins. Added 3 sets of custom skins. Players may also create and play with their own! Added German localization Added new settings including Assist Mode, and High-Visibility mode Implement |
| Nova Drift Leaves Early Access On August 12th | 2024-07-18 | Hello Drifters, It's been an incredible 10 year journey from a simple asteroids-like prototype in 2014 to the behemoth we have today, and we are excited to announce that on AUGUST 12, Nova Drift will reach version 1.0! If you'd like to preview version 1.0, you can do so on the BETA branch. Keep in mind it does not have the final sequence after defeating the last boss... that will make its way in there by the end of July. Not much else to say really - looking forward to a smooth launch next month, and thanks for all the support :) -Miles @ Pixeljam |
| Nova Drift Will Leave Early Access in 2024, Deepest Discount Starts This Week | 2024-03-13 | Hello All, Starting this week and lasting until March 23rd, Nova Drift is discounted at an all-time-low of 65% off. Also, full release is coming up in later 2024, so the price won't be this low again for a very long time. Now is a great time to buy a copy for your friend, mom, or very talented parrot. The Soundtrack is also 70% off: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1156340/Nova_Drift_OST/ Work on the game's FINAL BOSS is well on its way. It's kind of crazy for me, actually. I've been thinking about the inevitability of this work, and project's conclusion, for so long that facing it kind of feels like the final boss of my mid-life. I don't w |