Status
SteamPeaks
ChartsSalesUpcomingPatchesNewsCalculator
New on SteamEvery app, DLC and depot the minute Steam creates itAppsEvery app on Steam, newest change firstPackagesSubs and bundles, and what each containsDepotsDepots, manifests and install sizesTagsSteam's user tags and the games under themDevelopers & publishersCompanies and their cataloguesTechnologiesEngines, SDKs and anti-cheat found in the filesChange historyEvery PICS changelist as it lands
SignalsNineteen readings of the whole catalogueCompareAny games side by sideRecordsAll-time peaks and the days they were setReportsWeekly and monthly write-upsAlerts & newsroomWatch a game, get told when it movesSteam statusIs Steam up, right nowWeb API explorerTry the endpoints in the browser
NewsSteam's own announcements and the sales calendarCalculatorWhat a Steam account is worth, and its pile of shame
/
Sign in
/
SteamPeaks
The ultimate resource for Steam data.
ExploreChartsSalesSales and festsUpcomingPatchesNewsRecordsTrendingSignals
DatabaseAppsPackagesDepotsTagsDevelopersTechnologiesChange history
ToolsCalculatorCompareSearchAlertsSteam statusAPI
SiteMethodologyFAQDiscordSupportSign in via Steam
Not affiliated with Valve or Steam. Game names and artwork belong to their owners. All times UTC.
PrivacyCookiesFair useStatus
First DwarfNewsUpdate #37: Essence Collector
In-game event

Update #37: Essence Collector

First Dwarf · published 10 Mar 2026, 15:41 UTC · build 22280473

All newsPlayers around this dateRead on Steam

Hello Legends,


I'm reporting back with another update, bringing us closer to the gameplay loop we envisioned :)

This time, we introduce you to a new building called Essence Collector. It collects essence from defeated monsters within its radius and turns it into Knowledge Essence.
Knowledge Essence can be consumed to give you instant EXP, but it is also used to craft a newly added Technology Points** Techspark crafting recipe. So now you can farm EXP from waves even if you haven't killed any of the monsters attacking and left all the fighting to the defensive towers! And now, Techsparks are craftable, though not easy to craft; they are now renewable.

**You may also notice that Technology Points are being replaced with Techsparks. Until now, Technology Points existed both as an item and as points in the UI, which wasn't very clear and didn't really serve much purpose. With Techsparks, we're clarifying this system - rewards will now go directly to your Techspark pool instead of appearing as an item in the inventory. This is just the first step, and in upcoming updates, Techsparks will become an important resource used in new mechanics, including more advanced crafting.

We've also made a package of other improvements that you can check below in the changelog :)

Now, we are working, among other things, on another new structure that will be able to trigger waves on demand, and a new type of monster wave that will taint neutral points on the map, such as berry bushes or bee hives!

Changelog for Update #37

🛠️Highlights

  • New Structure: Essence Collector
  • New Item: Knowledge Essence
  • New Crafting Recipe: Techspark - Yes, now you can craft it!

📈Other changes

  • Now buildings have a fixed order in the building menu, so it will be easier to remember a structure’s place in this tab.
  • Added colored hints in the new inventory menu
  • Added a pulsating effect as a hint for which character can use the chosen item.

🐛Fixes

  • Now Berrybread and Waterfern Rolls have the proper item category.
  • Flowershroom now respawns properly.
  • Fixed bugs with Acidshroom and Flowershroom quests not completing correctly.
  • Fixed character animations properly triggering when leveling up in the character tab.
  • Fixed instances where animals, settlers, or monsters would fall through the floor.
  • Fixed cases where settlers would get stuck in rocks or walls.
  • Fixed disappearing stats in building description windows.
  • Fixed bug where the Raven Watchtower wasn’t attacked by enemies.
  • Fixed some cases of problems with building on the 4th island.
  • Polishing the environment on the islands for better grid generation.

As always, I encourage you to join our Discord and share your thoughts about the game or just chat about other stuff :)

Let us know how the Essence Collector works in your builds - we're curious to see what strategies you come up with.

See you soon,
Damian + .misha. ;-)
Stardrifters Team

More from First Dwarf

Other announcements

All news
In-game event4 Sep 2026UPDATE #48: Achievement Unlocked! Production ExpandedHello again! Time for Update #48! Achievement unlocked: Achievements! :) Tru is already making room for the first ones, and we didn’t stop there. Settlers can now work for you in the Workshop and Alchemy Station, bringing them to new islands is more flexible, and we’ve added a bunch of balance changes, fixes, and quality-of-life improvements on top. Achievements... oh boy! This one has been sit…Major update22 Aug 2026Update #47: Cook, Craft, Defend!Hello, adventurers! Well... this one got pretty big! What started as another content update somehow turned into new systems, new structures, new upgrades, new things to cook, craft and discover... and a banner problem. We genuinely didn't know what to put on it. As you can see, Tru took it well :) So, let's see what caused all the trouble. Let's start with a new set of turret upgrades . Each gu…In-game event22 Jul 2026Update #46: All Aboard! Or Not.Good Day, Lads! ⛏️ New update is up! This time, we’re bringing a batch of improvements and fixes that should make your journey through the world of the Shattered Isles even better. All Aboard! Or Not - the choice is finally yours. For those who play with a friend, we’ve improved travelling by airship. From now on, players will no longer be automatically teleported aboard when the other player e…