History of RimWorld in Timeline

RimWorld is a construction and management simulation game developed by Ludeon Studios. Initially crowdfunded and released in early access in 2013, the full version 1.0 was launched in 2018 for Windows, macOS, and Linux. A console edition was released in 2022. The game, designed as an AI-powered "story generator," emphasizes narrative adventures over skill-based challenges. Players experience emergent storytelling through colony management and interactions with the game's AI systems.

1986: Tynan Sylvester Born

In 1986, Tynan Sylvester, the lead developer of RimWorld, was born in Canada.

2008: Sylvester Joins Irrational Games

In 2008, Tynan Sylvester joined Irrational Games and began working on BioShock Infinite.

February 2012: Sylvester Leaves Irrational Games

In February 2012, Tynan Sylvester left Irrational Games to become an independent game developer after working on BioShock Infinite for four years.

September 15, 2013: Public Reveal

On September 15, 2013, RimWorld was first publicly revealed.

October 2013: Kickstarter Campaign

In October 2013, a Kickstarter campaign for RimWorld was launched, earning $268,132 in 30 days.

November 4, 2013: First Public Alpha Build

On November 4, 2013, the first public alpha build of RimWorld was released.

November 2013: Initial Early Access Release

In November 2013, RimWorld was initially released in early access for Microsoft Windows, macOS, and Linux as a Kickstarter crowdfunding project, originally called Eclipse Colony.

December 20, 2016: Alpha 16 "Wanderlust" Release

On December 20, 2016, Alpha version 16, named "Wanderlust," was released, introducing features like a spherical world map, time zones, multiple faction bases, world travel, multiple colonies, world generation, and customizable world parameters.

2016: Indie of the Year Award

In 2016, RimWorld was voted Indie DB's "indie of the year".

November 18, 2017: First Beta Version Release

On November 18, 2017, the first beta version of RimWorld was released.

February 2018: Million Copies Sold

In February 2018, it was announced that RimWorld had sold over a million copies.

October 17, 2018: Version 1.0 Release

On October 17, 2018, RimWorld version 1.0 was officially released for Microsoft Windows, macOS, and Linux.

2018: Steam Top User-Rated Game

In 2018, RimWorld was voted Steam's Top User-Rated Game, from all categories.

February 24, 2020: Royalty DLC Release

On February 24, 2020, the Royalty DLC was released with the 1.1 update. The DLC adds a new empire faction, psylink technology, royal titles, mechanoid clusters, additional quests, body implants, new weapons, and 13 more songs to the soundtrack.

August 2020: Revenue Estimates

By August 2020, it was estimated that RimWorld had accumulated well over 100 million dollars in revenue, making it one of the most popular indie games on Steam.

2020: Ranked Best Management Game

In 2020, RimWorld was ranked the best management game on the PC in Rock Paper Shotgun.

July 2021: Ideology Expansion PC Release

In July 2021, development on the console version of RimWorld began "long before" the PC version's Ideology expansion was released.

July 20, 2021: Ideology DLC Release

On July 20, 2021, the Ideology DLC was released with the 1.3 update, adding belief systems based around several memes, new buildings, apparel, quests, and social roles. New raid types, animal pens, mortar barrels, and caravan reworks were added as part of the free update.

February 2022: Game Refused Classification in Australia

In February 2022, a previously unannounced port of RimWorld for consoles was refused classification by the Australian Classification Board for its depictions of drug use. The game was pulled from the digital storefront Steam for Australian users.

April 20, 2022: Game Reclassification in Australia

On April 20, 2022, RimWorld was classified as R18+ in Australia and it was made available on Steam again, after previously being refused classification due to depictions of drug use.

June 2022: Console Version Announcement

In June 2022, a console version of RimWorld was announced.

July 2022: RimWorld Console Edition Released

On July 29, 2022, RimWorld Console Edition was released for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One.

Sony PlayStation 4 500GB Console (Renewed)

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July 29, 2022: RimWorld Console Edition Release

On July 29, 2022, RimWorld Console Edition was released for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One, with Double Eleven handling development and publishing.

Sony PlayStation 4 500GB Console (Renewed)

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October 21, 2022: Biotech DLC Release

On October 21, 2022, the Biotech DLC was released alongside the 1.4 update, introducing mechanoids, the ability for colonists to become pregnant, and new options to genetically modify colonists into xenohumans. New factions with xenohumans have been added, and pollution emitted from constructed mechanoids can cause severe damage to colonies.

November 2023: Ascent Of Ashes Planned Release

In November 2023, Ascent Of Ashes, a colony simulation game inspired by RimWorld that was created by a team of modders, was planned to be released in early access, but was later pushed back to July 2025.