- Witherspring Wilds Playtest now available! - 7 May 2026
There’s so much to do in Witherspring Wilds - Building, Farming, Mining, Crafting, Creature Taming, Fighting, Exploration and Magic… how will you shape the Wilds?It was the massive demo of Aground that brought it to life! Now, we just released a free demo of Witherspring Wilds on Steam and Armor Games. Give it a try and let us know what you think of the game so far!You can also view our Roadmap to see what is coming next!FAQ: Will Witherspring Wilds have any connection to Aground?I'm actually undecided at this point. There's already similarities and easter eggs to Aground, and I'm definitely planning more (for example, Wyrms that can be raised into Dragons will definitely be added to WW). I might just leave it at that, but I do have some ideas of how to merge the two game universes if I want something stronger later.
- Aground Zero Full Launch! - 4 April 2025
Aground Zero started with a simple idea: What if I made a 3D spinoff of Aground focusing on base building and automation? I teased this idea with an April Fool’s joke that turned out to be very real: Now, four years later, we’ve shared another April Fool’s joke and Aground Zero is finally released! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f3rN1CkJEcI What is Aground Zero? Imagine you wake up underground having missed the Apocalypse. At first, it takes all your energy just to survive, but after setting up a semi-automated base and waking up other survivors to help you operate machinery, you can focus your attention on returning to the surface and learning more about what happened to Earth while you were sleeping. The story has several revelations and takes place during the events of the original Aground game, but you do not need to have played Aground to enjoy Aground Zero. As you unlock and upgr…
- Added Spanish Translation + Edited Font - 27 November 2024
In our last update: https://steamcommunity.com/games/876650/announcements/detail/4681018173926286592 We had a lot of interest in a Spanish Translation as well, and today I'm pleased to announce it is done! You can select it in the options menu once you've downloaded the update. The translator also said it was tough to distinguish the lower case u from v in the default font (and I've had complaints about the font before), so I edited it to be crisper and have a larger difference between the two - and this will affect all languages that use the default font! Aground is also 66% for the Steam Autumn Sale - so if you haven't gotten Aground yet, or hesitated because it wasn't available in Spanish, now's your chance!
- Crashing Patch - 17 October 2024
Fixed a bug that was causing frequent crashing, especially when playing in the Chinese language. This also has some stability improvements I made while trying to fix the actual crash - including backing up save files. If the game crashes during saving, it'll now make a saves.sol.bak file - and when you load the game, it should automatically read that file. Hopefully, this will lower the amount of players losing their saves, but I'd still back up files or use the Aground Cloud just in case.
- Now available in 5 languages + Whitethorn Anniversary Sale! - 23 September 2024
Many of you have been waiting for the Chinese translation of Aground - which was greatly delayed. But I'm pleased to announce it is now available for all players! Simply go to the options menu, and under language, select 简体中文 . This update also includes the big blocks version of the executable, which removes the 1GB memory restriction. Some players have already been using it, and it is less likely to crash due to running out of memory. We're also going to include Aground in Whitethorn's 8-year anniversary sale! Whitethorn is the console publisher of Aground, and we've been with them for many of those 8 years, so we're happy to celebrate! The sale starts today at 10am PDT, so if you haven't gotten Aground yet, today's a great time to pick it up!
- Aground Zero Now Available in Early Access! - 18 January 2024
I hope you’re excited for Aground Zero - it’s been a long journey to reach this point - nearly 3 years of development - and we have so much more planned! https://store.steampowered.com/app/1795570/Aground_Zero/ What is Aground Zero? Aground Zero is a 3D spinoff of Aground. It takes place in the same universe, but its story starts on Earth - while the main character in Aground was still aboard a colony ship heading towards their new home. You are stuck deep underground after the bombardment that destroyed the surface of Earth, and you have to find a way to survive. There is mining, crafting, building, rescuing survivors, and putting them to work. There’s also a larger focus on base building and automation, allowing you to rebuild, thrive and return to the Earth’s surface to see what’s become of it. If you played the original Aground, you’ll see plenty of references, easter eggs, and even…
- Aground Backer Items DLC Released! - 6 April 2023
As some of you may be aware, we ran a Kickstarter for Aground to fund development from the early web version until the early access release. We released exclusive items and weapons at different tiers for backers of the Kickstarter to thank them, and many players who missed the Kickstarter were upset they could no longer obtain these items. After talking to the backers, some of these items were released publicly, but many (especially the appearance-only items) were kept private. However, after the recent update, I was asked to release these last items as DLC, and so these last exclusive items are now available with this DLC! https://store.steampowered.com/app/2382320/Aground__Backer_Items/ Pricing this DLC was strange, as the kickstarter backers needed to back at $40 to get all the items, but half of these items were already released publicly, and people must own the base game to buy the…
- Unexpected Update 2.1.2 - 1 April 2023
Oops! My cat walked across my keyboard and accidentally posted an update to Aground! I’d been working on an update to Splicer, but it wasn’t ready to be posted! And what’s worse, it looks like he edited a few of the other files! I tried to bribe him with food, but all he would tell me was that the Alchemist is part of the cat-astrophe. Working on getting things un-catted - I should have everything back to normal by tomorrow.
- Steam Deck Patch - 13 May 2022
Implemented the new ShowFloatingGamepadTextInput to pop up a floating text input field for use on the steam deck or big picture mode.
- The Future Fancy Fish Games - 20 October 2021
After the launch and final post-launch updates of Aground, we floundered (hah) for a bit deciding what to do next. We made many prototypes - several of which were put on hold, before finally settling on two games. Yes, that’s right, we’re working on two big games right now, and if that wasn’t wild enough, we also just finished a third game in a month-long game jam that you can play right now for free! Stardander School for Witches After finishing , the Visual Novel we made right before starting Aground, we had many ideas for better story-based games. But, at the time, we decided to hold off on them because of how challenging the visual novel market is. However, we both really like the magical school setting and kept trying to think of ways to make our witchy game idea better. We had loads of ideas before, during and after Aground’s development - from a tower-defense based game, to a mul…
- Big Picture/Steam Deck Update - 19 October 2021
This is a minor update that only affects Steam Big Picture mode and the upcoming Steam Deck. The game now uses the on screen keyboard, and a few tweaks to the controls have been made (the largest being that keypresses now perform actions on release instead of held, with a few exceptions like placing nets/rails). The Linux build is also 64-bit now, the 32-bit build being retired (there are very few people still running a 32-bit linux OS, and it can be tough to get 32-bit builds running on 64-bit linux depending on the OS).
- Patch 2.1.1b - 9 April 2021
A modder found potential exploits that a malicious modder could use in Aground (if you installed their mod). This patch blocks those exploits. As far as we know, no mods took advantage of these exploits, and this version is immune to them.
- Aground Coming Soon to Consoles! - 26 January 2021
After some delays and challenges, we’re finally ready to announce exactly when Aground will be coming to consoles (PS4, Switch and XBox One)! I know many of you have been waiting for a while and keep asking when they are coming, and that date is now set: February 11th, 2021! Mark your calendars! I hope you’re looking forward to the release! The console versions are being published by Whitethorn Digital and have all of the offline features of the game. Online features (like mods and multiplayer) are a little more challenging on consoles, but may come in a future update depending on how the console launch goes! This is our first game to come to consoles - a major milestone for Fancy Fish Games and everyone on the development team! Achievement unlocked! We’ll be in our Discord ready to celebrate on the 11th!
- Aground Deluxe Edition Soundtrack by Chase Bethea - 14 December 2020
Materia Collective is excited to release the Aground Original Game Soundtrack Deluxe Edition featuring music by composer Chase Bethea. The deluxe edition includes the entire Aground soundtrack along with seven additional tracks never heard before, two tracks from Deity Quest, and three pieces of piano sheet music transcribed by Materia Collective's David Peacock. Aground's music covers a spectrum of rhythms and genres, using funky time signatures, psychedelic synths, chiptune elements, and guitars. "Aground features an amalgamation of styles and a hybrid signature sound that is undeniably unique and inimitable," comments composer Chase Bethea. "It feels like every track had some new sound or idea that kept up the interest over a Very. Long. Running. Time. I am proud that the community, who I called the 'Agroundians,' recognize what I was trying to bring to the music for the game." The A…
- KOZ Modding Colosseum Results - 9 October 2020
The KOZ Modding Colosseum started out as a way to encourage new mods for Aground and put the spotlight on the growing Aground modding community, and we definitely succeeded in those goals. The competition saw the rise of a new Master modder (Lybell) at UAMT (the Unofficial Aground Modding Team), it gave Alchemist an excuse to finish his revised super mod that was gathering dust, and it even brought back a former master (CH355) to attempt his dream mod. Even the novices showed up and made some strong entries. If you want to learn more about the competition, you can see the original event: https://steamcommunity.com/games/876650/announcements/detail/2733073087959094294 And now, it is time to reveal the winners. Drumroll please! Grand Prize For the all-around best-made and most enjoyable to play mods. Winner Venemoto by Lybell is an extremely well put together mod that got high marks in al…
- KOZ Modding Colosseum Finals - 2 October 2020
After two months of hard work, the finals are here and the mods are uploaded! It’s time to play and vote on your favorite mods! For more information on the competition, see this event: https://steamcommunity.com/games/876650/announcements/detail/2733073087959094294 Judging and Audience Award Over the next week, the judges will be reviewing the mods, and we’ll announce the results of all the awards on October 9th. For the Audience Award, you can vote on a mod by giving it a thumbs up in the Steam Workshop between now and midnight on October 8th. Downvotes will not be counted, so there is no reason to downvote a mod to try to help another mod win the audience award. Team Lybell: Venometo A lot of players assume Aground must be a platformer because of the side-scrolling view, and on this toxic planet, it really is! Jump dangerous pit traps, explore a large metroidvania-style level, upgrade…
- Hybrid Path Update - 7 September 2020
One of the most asked-for post launch updates, the Hybrid Path is finally here! This update adds a lot more combinations of magic and science, along with a new ending to the game (and some new post-game content). We wanted to make a path that combined the strengths of both magic and science, but was the most difficult to obtain, requiring progress along both the current magic and science questlines. To progress on the Hybrid Path, you’ll want to talk to the Professor, the Mirrows, and the Alchemist. The questline definitely plays better in a new or early save, but you can do an abbreviated version after the end of the game (on any path) to get all of the new items, vehicles and areas. The following changes affect the full version: Added new items and vehicles for the hybrid path. Added new quests and a new NPC. Added a new area to explore. Added a new ending to the game, that does not r…
- KOZ Modding Colosseum Qualifiers - 12 August 2020
We announced the theme - To Boldly Go - two weeks ago, and since then we’ve had many submissions to the modding colosseum with new worlds and areas to explore! Below is a list of all the teams that passed the qualifiers, along with a special bonus mod you can play right now! For more information on the competition, see this event: https://steamcommunity.com/games/876650/announcements/detail/2733073087959094294 Team Lybell: Venometo A lot of players assume Aground must be a platformer because of the side-scrolling view, and on this toxic planet, it really is! Jump dangerous pit traps, explore a large metroidvania-style level, upgrade your jumpsuit to progress further and discover more of what the planet has to offer! Team EA: Thirallan Alchemist Edition Discover the wreckage of a colony ship in a strange new system. What caused the ship to crash? Why are the robots and drones going berse…
- KOZ Modding Colosseum - 22 July 2020
KOZ is sponsoring an Aground Modding Competition! If you're a current or aspiring Aground Modder, read the rules below, and if you're not, stick around to try out the mods and vote on your favorites! Like with game jams, this contest will have a single theme for all participants and an end date when the mods must be submitted and judging/voting begins. Details Theme - To Boldly Go - Aground is all about adventure, travelling to new places, discovering secrets, and facing dangers! For this contest, we want your mods to take us to new places! Contest End - September 30th. Qualifier Round After the theme is announced, you can brainstorm ideas and share them to get feedback from the community/Judges and build teams. Then, on August 10th you must submit a basic prototype of the mod. These prototypes will be judged, and ONLY the prototypes chosen by the judges can enter the full competition.…
- Update 2.0.7 - 12 June 2020
2.0.7 is now live! Like 2.0.6, it’s another small update with some neat additions, bug fixes and quality of life improvements. The following changes affect the full version: Added a Backer NPC and cameo. All players can find and talk to these NPCs, and there’s even a new quest. Hint for finding them: check divider island and CaptAIn’s colony. Thanks to the generosity of our Backers, some of the Backer exclusive weapons are now available for everyone (Boomerang, Laser Sword and Leech). Backer weapons also work now in Multiplayer even if some players are Backers and others are not. Fin modifiers now lower the use cost of all Equipment (stamina, power, etc). When you enter a Colosseum Arena, the difficulty is set to Normal while you are in that Arena (it will return to normal when you leave). This is because the Arenas were balanced with Normal difficulty in mind, and some of them are impo…
