1.3.4.0. Public Beta Available
Posted: Fri Jan 09, 2026 5:36 pm
Hi everyone,
Please try this new beta and let us know if it helps your game. We encourage you to start a new game as there may be changes that only take effect upon starting a new game.
To facilitate frequent beta iterations as needed, this beta is only available for now on Steam and GOG. All Matrix customers also have a free Steam key available (through your My Page) which can be activated if desired to install DW2 via Steam and test this Beta there.
On Steam, you can switch to it by going to Distant Worlds 2 in your Steam Library, right-clicking on it, choosing Properties -> Betas -> then choosing the latest beta branch from the drop-down list and allowing Steam to update your game. If it updates correctly, you should see the latest beta version listed as your version in-game on the bottom right.
On GOG, you can switch to it by going to Distant Worlds 2 in your GOG Library, selecting Distant Worlds 2, then clicking on the button next to "Play" that looks like two horizontal lines with small offset circles, choosing Manage Installation -> Configure then picking the latest Beta from the Beta channels drop-down list and allowing GOG to update.
The Core game engine has been upgraded to use newer versions of Stride and .NET. We now include .NET in the game executable, so no additional external .NET redistributables are required.
IMPORTANT NOTE: If you still experience crashes with 1.0.6.4 or later, especially crashes in battle, please try the new DXVK rendering option in the game settings. This can be found under "Rendering Mode", which can be switched from DirectX 11 to DXVK. DXVK is only guaranteed to work with the SDR (Standard Definition Rendering) option in your game settings. It may work with some HDR (High Definition Rendering) settings, but we do not advise trying those at this time. The DXVK option willl likely resolve many issues caused by driver bugs or incompatibilities.
If you try this setting and the game does not launch, please note the command line option in the changes below to switch back to DirectX 11. (To force DirectX on launch, add --use-dx11 as a command-line argument to DistantWorlds2.exe)
Changes in 1.3.4.0 (January 6 th , 2026):
CRASH FIXES
- fixed a number of crashes
- now notify player of any modding-related file loading issues (XML errors, etc), with
suggestions to disable offending mods
COMBAT RELATED
- updated weapon hit calculations with better consideration for stationary or very slow
targets (e.g. bases). Net effect is that countermeasures now matter more on bases
- tweaked raid values on Assault Pod components so that can launch subsequent raids
sooner, but with lower strength
EVENTS
- added minimum interval to Teekan Salvage Kings event so that does not trigger too
often
- Lost Colony ruins event will now place lost colony much closer to discoverer home
system
ADVISOR
- fixed Build Base advisor suggestion messages not pinging galaxy map location when
hovered
MUSIC
- added new expanded music option that adds music from Distant Worlds Universe to
the track list. Note that this option should be disabled when streaming gameplay
Changes in 1.3.3.8 (December 12th, 2025):
CRASH FIXES
- fixed some rare crashes
- fixed crash when cycle idle military ships (N, shift-N) before any military ships built
USER INTERFACE
- Selection Panel, Colony Detail panel and Facilities list now show when a facility has an upgrade available by a yellow arrow overlay. Tooltip explains upgrade facility and cost
- ensure 2nd-level Action buttons (construction, facilities, troops, etc) always reset to start (left-most) when deselect item
CONSTRUCTION
- improved accuracy of construction yard wait times so that new ships are better distributed across all yards in empire
- improved willingness of bases at colonies to be repaired by colony when needed (instead of self-repairing at slow rate)
EVENTS
- fixed home system Haakonish event sometimes incorrectly generating ruins on home star (with resulting issues when star becomes colonized)
Please try this new beta and let us know if it helps your game. We encourage you to start a new game as there may be changes that only take effect upon starting a new game.
To facilitate frequent beta iterations as needed, this beta is only available for now on Steam and GOG. All Matrix customers also have a free Steam key available (through your My Page) which can be activated if desired to install DW2 via Steam and test this Beta there.
On Steam, you can switch to it by going to Distant Worlds 2 in your Steam Library, right-clicking on it, choosing Properties -> Betas -> then choosing the latest beta branch from the drop-down list and allowing Steam to update your game. If it updates correctly, you should see the latest beta version listed as your version in-game on the bottom right.
On GOG, you can switch to it by going to Distant Worlds 2 in your GOG Library, selecting Distant Worlds 2, then clicking on the button next to "Play" that looks like two horizontal lines with small offset circles, choosing Manage Installation -> Configure then picking the latest Beta from the Beta channels drop-down list and allowing GOG to update.
The Core game engine has been upgraded to use newer versions of Stride and .NET. We now include .NET in the game executable, so no additional external .NET redistributables are required.
IMPORTANT NOTE: If you still experience crashes with 1.0.6.4 or later, especially crashes in battle, please try the new DXVK rendering option in the game settings. This can be found under "Rendering Mode", which can be switched from DirectX 11 to DXVK. DXVK is only guaranteed to work with the SDR (Standard Definition Rendering) option in your game settings. It may work with some HDR (High Definition Rendering) settings, but we do not advise trying those at this time. The DXVK option willl likely resolve many issues caused by driver bugs or incompatibilities.
If you try this setting and the game does not launch, please note the command line option in the changes below to switch back to DirectX 11. (To force DirectX on launch, add --use-dx11 as a command-line argument to DistantWorlds2.exe)
Changes in 1.3.4.0 (January 6 th , 2026):
CRASH FIXES
- fixed a number of crashes
- now notify player of any modding-related file loading issues (XML errors, etc), with
suggestions to disable offending mods
COMBAT RELATED
- updated weapon hit calculations with better consideration for stationary or very slow
targets (e.g. bases). Net effect is that countermeasures now matter more on bases
- tweaked raid values on Assault Pod components so that can launch subsequent raids
sooner, but with lower strength
EVENTS
- added minimum interval to Teekan Salvage Kings event so that does not trigger too
often
- Lost Colony ruins event will now place lost colony much closer to discoverer home
system
ADVISOR
- fixed Build Base advisor suggestion messages not pinging galaxy map location when
hovered
MUSIC
- added new expanded music option that adds music from Distant Worlds Universe to
the track list. Note that this option should be disabled when streaming gameplay
Changes in 1.3.3.8 (December 12th, 2025):
CRASH FIXES
- fixed some rare crashes
- fixed crash when cycle idle military ships (N, shift-N) before any military ships built
USER INTERFACE
- Selection Panel, Colony Detail panel and Facilities list now show when a facility has an upgrade available by a yellow arrow overlay. Tooltip explains upgrade facility and cost
- ensure 2nd-level Action buttons (construction, facilities, troops, etc) always reset to start (left-most) when deselect item
CONSTRUCTION
- improved accuracy of construction yard wait times so that new ships are better distributed across all yards in empire
- improved willingness of bases at colonies to be repaired by colony when needed (instead of self-repairing at slow rate)
EVENTS
- fixed home system Haakonish event sometimes incorrectly generating ruins on home star (with resulting issues when star becomes colonized)