Rocky Mayhem — 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Lost In The Folklore | Patch #26 | 2026-11-01 | Hi all!This is the official announcement introducing the Halloween event, "Sweet Operations", as a permanent mode in Rocky Mayhem, named under "Hecate Shafts" as well as a new major mechanic which completely changes the flow of the mode. New Mechanic: TetheringRescuing the drillship has gotten significantly harder than before, requiring you to not only locate the drillship but bring it outside of the mine shafts to the extraction point to count as a win. This is still slightly experimental and may need tinkering, so please keep an eye on the drillship to make sure it doesn't get stuck around corners. Although I've changed a lot to make sure i |
| Beta Branch: Build 26 Hotfix #2 | 2026-10-31 | Try out the next update, Patch #26, now on the preview branch before it's full launch on November 1st. Mothman's LairDecreased hostility reduction delay by 58%Increased hostility reduction rate by 33%Decreased Mothman's attack speed by 33%Haunted MinesAdded 10 new roaming points for the free roam ghostReduced free roam ghost speed by 25%Fixed flashlight only having 3 uses instead of 5Fixed goal not working as intendedFixed control for flashlight in the tooltip showing mistypedWitches' CovenStar-Crushed Metal: Increased pull speed by 33%Added new potion spawnHecate ShaftsFixed tether clipping through the player |
| Beta Branch: Build 26 Hotfix #1 | 2026-10-30 | Try out the next update, Patch #26, now on the preview branch before it's full launch on November 1st. Witches' CovenCrushed Star-Metal: Increased effective range by 40%Nocturnal Sap: Decreased duration from 30s to 15sSloth Legs: Decreased duration from 15s to 10sHour-Glass Sand Concoction: Increased duration from 60s to 120sSlug Juice: Increased duration from 15s to 20sBackwards-Crab Shell: Increased duration from 15s to 30sPanther-Swift Sinew: Increased duration from 10s to 15sBioluminescent Fungi: Increased duration from 10s to 15sBat-Wing Gall: Increased duration from 45s to 75sHecate Shafts (General)Re-centred all UI componentsIncreased |
| Beta Branch: Build 26 Testing Now Live | 2026-10-29 | Try out the next update, Patch #26, now on the preview branch before it's full launch on November 1st. Test the new core gameplay mechanic, tethering, in the newly reworked Rescue Operations, "Hecate Shafts". Also features several balance updates for Mothman's Lair. Full patch details are being kept until Patch #26 |
| Achievement Update | 2026-10-16 | Hi all, Steam have now released 'Sets' for achievements, allowing me to now split the achievements into sets depending on the gamemode. I have now entirely updated all achievements, without deleting any, and replacing many obsolete ones. Locked icons have also been updated to the same icon for all achievements.Achievement ChangesOldAll Excavator I,II... - Lowered threshold for all as grind was too longRank I - Reach Player Level 10Rank V - Reach Player Level 100Rank VI - Reach Player Level 150Rank VII - Reach Player Level 200Hat-Trick! - Destroy 3 SES Brutes in one gameRace Against Time - Collect all 5 crystals and complete any Evasion: Time |
| Sweet Operations: Update #3 - Witches' Coven & Mothman's Brood | 2026-10-12 | Hey all,This update introduces a bunch of new stuff to make Sweet Operations as unique of an experience as it can be. All of these updates will be added to the main event announcement alongside this post. I am not fully done with improving this mode, as Level 3 is still bones, but this is a big part of the event for me. Reward BalancingInstead of a one-time reward of $3,000 and 50XP, Rewards are now spread out across all levels of Sweet Operations, with the most challenging being the most rewarding. You will also have all levels automatically unlocked from here on.Mothman's Lair - $1,750 + 35XPHaunted Mines - $1,500 + 35XPWitches' Coven - $75 |
| Sweet Operations: Update #2 - Mothman's Lair | 2026-10-10 | Hey all,This update introduces a small version of Mothman who sits dormant in the middle, as well as a new mechanic, to Sweet Operations Level 1.New Feature: In-Game TutorialsBeing tested and rolled out across Sweet Operations, are small in-game tutorial / tooltips which open when you first play that level. Once you close it, there is no way of it ever coming back up unless you prestige or reset. If these work out well, these will be rolled out across the entire game and the current tutorial system will be removed. Level 3 does not have a tooltip yet as that is the final mode on the list to have new things added like how Mothman and Ghosts ha |
| Sweet Operations: Update #1 - Haunted Mines | 2026-10-09 | Hey all,This update introduces hostile ghosts which roam the mines, and a new gadget to counter them!New Monster: GhostsWarning: Audio jumpscares may be included3 bloodthirsty ghosts haunt the inverted realm on level 2, hunting anyone that crosses their paths. Two souls haunt their own corridor, moving at a fast pace when spotting a player, making stealth the smart play. Meanwhile, the third roams the entire map in it's own navigated path. This moves significantly slower, but is harder to get out of it's line of sight. All ghosts can pass through the walls if you're in it's line of sight. Being caught resets you to the start.New Gadget: Flash |
| Rocky Mayhem Halloween Event 2026 - New Monster Mode, 10x Points | 2026-10-09 | Hi all!Welcome to Rocky Mayhem's biggest Halloween event yet! Until the 1st of November, earn 10x points from destroying asteroids and ships across all combat modes (excluding Reality Shift). Sweets / Candy now spawns across all these modes, granting 15,000 points and 20 player levels per one collected. There are over 50 variants of candy to see, which all have been added into the collection. As these are replacing the eggs temporarily, you can also pick up the achievement for picking up eggs with these! Rescue Operations has also received a horrifying makeover with invaders of mysterious monster candies. Check out the new mist system, ambien |
| The Excavation Mastery Update | Patch #25 | 2026-10-08 | Hi all!This update is a pretty big one for Patch 25, completely revamping progression across Excavation. Instead of purchasing a one-time upgrade to halve mining times across all asteroids, you can now progress through a linear mastery path to unlock reduced times gradually, as well as a little bonus.New Progression System: Mastery Paths (Excavation)All asteroids now have independent levelling systems from each other, with XP earned from mining that specific asteroid! This is an entirely passive mechanic, with no requirements to purchase anything or earn skill points. You can view all progress by watching the right corner, with no clutter or |
| Patch 24.7 - Additional Reworks + Bug Fixes | 2026-08-27 | Hey all,This update includes extra reworks and changes to refine the game, as well as changes to the newly implemented level up unlocks.Unlock Rewards 2.0Level 10: Unlock ExcavationLevel 30: Unlock Most WantedPrestige 1: Unlock 6 skinsPrestige 2: Unlock 6 skinsPrestige 3: Unlock Reality Shift + Progression StorePrestige 5: Unlock the NEW Prestige Mastery cosmeticPatch Notes (27/08/2026)GlobalAsteroids no longer split, which results in higher asteroid spawn rates globally.Asteroid speed increased by 15%Standard Bullet hitbox increased by 10%Classic ModeCamera FOV increased by 20%Normal: Re-enabled boundary for boss battlesNormal: Base asteroid |
| Patch 24.61 - Classic Rework + Bug Fixes | 2026-08-26 | Hey all,Major fixes in place here as well as reworks to the classic mode. Summaries are below as well as the patch notes.Volcanic DeityHealth: 50HP ➔ 100HPMovement Speed: 3 ➔ 2.6Firing Speed: 0 ➔ 0.1Weak Point Damage: 0 ➔ 2Critical Damage: 10 ➔ 5Volcanic Knights: 6 ➔ 0Now shoots fireFrozen DeityHealth: 50HP ➔ 100HPMovement Speed: 1.8 ➔ 2Critical Damage: 10 ➔ 5Firing Speed: 1.2 ➔ 1.5AsteroidsBase Spawn Rate: 3.9 ➔ 3.7Base Spawn Amount: 4 ➔ 5Patch Notes (26/08/2026)ChangesGeneral: Bullets now have a 100% increased hitboxGeneral: All games will now begin with an ambush of 3-5 fast asteroidsClassic Normal: Bosses now spawn outside the screenClass |
| Patch 24.6 - Quality of Life Update | 2026-08-25 | Hello!This update brings revamps to the progression system, as I feel like it was lacking previously. This includes level reward changes, the removal of rebirth, and level unlocks!TutorialThe tutorial has now been scrapped, leaving only a tooltip on how each ability works as before. As for the descriptions of how to play each game, you can now access that on the game hub by hovering over each mode's image. It will now display what you need to do, what you can do, and how long it takes to complete the level fully. In-Game RewardsOnce again, this needs balancing. You will now have to complete a mode to gain full XP rather than survive each roun |
| Patch 24.5 - Cards of Greed and Despair | 2026-08-19 | Hi all,This update introduces 2 new card packs, both with a 5% chance of spawning. Both the Cards of Despair and the Cards of Greed can shake up your entire Chaos run in just one moment. Cards of Greed"Greed makes man blind and foolish, and makes him an easy prey for death" - RumiCards of DespairThe second pack added in this update introduces the cards of despair. These cards grant nothing and lose your chance of getting a game-saving upgrade. Pray you do not enter despair. New Legendary Card: Shield V2Patch Notes (19/08/2026)NewChaos: 7 New CardsAchievements: 2 achievements replaced with chaos onesChangesChaos: Brute has 10% shorter rangeCha |
| Patch 24.1 - Cards of Chaos: Pack 2 | 2026-08-02 | Hi all,This minor update introduces 4 new cards into the Cards of Chaos, with one being legendary. Legendary cards are yellow, have ~5% chance of spawning, and grant amazing abilities. The next pack of cards I add will include more legendaries, as well as another new card type 'Wildcard', which will grant amazing benefits with unknown consequences of greed. This update also includes a new, re-designed hub. This is due to the fact I decided that Chaos should be it's own mode, as the gameplay is different to Chaos and has a completely different loop. The new hub is now split into two categories. New CardsPatch Notes (02/08/2026)NewChaos: 4 New |
| Cards of Chaos | Patch #24 | 2026-08-01 | Hi all,This update brings the next brand new part of the Chaos difficulty, Cards of Chaos. This involves, for the first time in RM, selectable upgrades, including 2 new bullet types. This update also changes the font used throughout the game, more information below. Cards of ChaosUnlocked at the 50% charging mark, you will now be able to choose between 5 randomly picked cards. No 5 cards are ever the same, whether they're a completely different type or hold a different value. The upgrade you choose will shape your fate. Whether you escape or not, depends on what card you choose.Fully Repaired: Heals 3HPLess Asteroids: 15% less asteroids spawn |
| Hotfix - Absolute Chaos + Patch 24 Teaser | 2026-07-31 | Hi all,It's been a while since my actual update to you all. As you can tell, I keep coming back to this and working on things, as it is a fun hobby to me. I absolutely loved, and hated, the development process for the new chaos difficulty, though I do consider it a mode and am thinking of swapping Reality Shift's new big space with Chaos as I feel like it's nowhere near classic anymore. Anyway, this dev log is to give a visual teaser towards a, sort of, expansion to Chaos as well as provide a hotfix for a stupid mistake I made.Patch 24 TeaserYour eyes do not deceive you. I am currently working on an upgrade system, which the ? will be randoml |
| Absolute Chaos | Patch #23 | 2026-07-30 | Hi all,This update includes the next major content update for Rocky Mayhem, 'Absolute Chaos'. Including a brand new difficulty/mode, quality of life updates, and a new combat mechanic, experience it all now!Classic: Chaos DifficultySurviving the asteroid field has gotten the hardest it ever has been. In Chaos mode, you will be limited to one minute to survive the field. But there is a catch. You will need to gain cores from the asteroids to recharge your ship to be able to escape. Without all the cores, escaping the field will not be an option and death will slowly claw at you. Destroying asteroids charges you up by 0.5% and ships give 2%, an |
| Beta Branch: Build 23 Update #3 Now Live | 2026-07-29 | Hi all,The next major update for Rocky Mayhem is available for testing in the beta branch "Chaos". After this build, there is one more planned, to test Critical Damage as well as the final planned things. Next build will be released later today, with Patch #23 ready for launch by Thursday the latest. Planned / In-development:All Modes: Critical Damage mechanicChaos: BRUTE Bonus ChargeChaos: BalancingBeta Patch Notes (29/07/2026)NewV3 of 'Chaos' difficulty for ClassicComments: Slight improvements have been made to add to the chaos. Major improvements include adding a 'Game Over' screen when the timer runs out, and a victory screen for winning. |
| Beta Branch: Build 23 Update #2 Now Live + Dev Update | 2026-07-28 | Hi all,The next major update for Rocky Mayhem is available for testing in the beta branch "Chaos". This will be a very rough update to begin with, and will be smoothed out overtime before launch. Brief patch notes will be supplied below, with the extensive version coming out with Patch 23's launch. Dev UpdateLast update rolled back the main branch from Patch #22.03 to #21.2. This was due to game breaking bugs that added invincibility. After fixing the bugs with the last patch, I have decided to make this build available on the main branch, with Chaos being locked until Patch #23. All changes to anything other than Chaos will be accessible. Pl |
| Beta Branch: Build 23 Update #1 Now Live + Dev Update | 2026-07-27 | Hi all,The next major update for Rocky Mayhem is now available for testing in the beta branch "Chaos". This will be a very rough update to begin with, and will be smoothed out with rewards, content and UI with time before the full launch of it. Brief patch notes will be supplied below, with the extensive version coming out with Patch 23's launch. ImportantDue to a bug causing invincibility after using shields, as well as a couple other issues, the main branch has been downgraded to Patch #21.2. You may use this beta branch safely on anything other than Chaos for an improved experience before 21.3. Planned / In-development:All Modes: Critical |
| Patch 22.03 - Rebirth | 2026-07-08 | Hi all,This update includes a small new feature which will change how early game progression plays out, as well as a makeover for Game Menu.Rebirth & Locked ContentAt Prestige 2, you will now be able to rebirth, located in the Progression Store. Rebirthing grants you $100,000 and access to the, now locked, Reality Shift! On top of that, Reality Shift will no longer cost a fee to play, while the prize will remain unchanged. Game HubThe menu for game selection, has once again, had a name change as well as a redesign. Originally it went by 'Arcade', then 'Game Selection', then 'Game Menu', and now I feel satisfied with 'Game Hub' as this is the |
| Patch 22.02 - Difficulty Scaling V3: Reality Shift Overhaul | 2026-05-05 | Hi all,This is the next update of the Difficulty Scaling for Rocky Mayhem. As said last patch, the difficulty of all modes has barely been changed since each mode released. This time, the focus is on Reality Shift and Most Wanted, making it as difficult as it was intended to be. One issue I noticed, is that the Frozen Residual in RS only shot icicles every 75 seconds. I'm not sure why, but it's been changed now to make it a more challenging opponent, rather than a "spinny" thing. Other changes have been included below. Patch Notes 05/05/2026Gameplay ChangesReality Shift: Gravitational pull from Reality now increases after 45sReality Shift: Vo |
| Patch 22.01 - Difficulty Scaling V3: Faster Gameplay Pacing | 2026-05-01 | Hi all,This was meant to be shipped with the anniversary update but it wasn't ready yet. Introducing the first major change to the pacing of the game and Difficulty Scaling since 2024, this is sure to make classic more chaotic and fun to play, and less of a chore. A total of 2 minutes has been chopped off the length of classic mode, making classic only 6 minutes to complete! This will, however, make the game more difficult as you'll have less time to adapt but unlisted changes have been made to make this a bit easier.Patch Notes 02/05/2026Round Progression (Classic)Round 1: Starts at 10 seconds, from 30Round 2: Starts at 30 seconds, from 60Ro |
| The Anniversary Update | Patch #22 | 2026-04-30 | Hi all, This month marks the 2 year anniversary of the beta for Rocky Mayhem 2024 Remake! As such, I am presenting the largest update I have done since the full release date, 22nd June. This has indeed been a longer journey than I expected. I initially started Rocky Mayhem as a lockdown project back in 2020, which was abandoned when I started attending college again after lockdown. Then as of May 2024, I decided to finally bring back the game with a beta and one month later, a remake. Now presenting over 90 updates later (with 21 being major), I bring you Patch 22! Returning: Homing AsteroidAvailable in: Classic MayhemThe asteroids from 'Sear |
| Dev Log #2 - Upcoming Anniversary Update | 2026-04-26 | Hi all,It's been almost 2 years since I both did my last development log, as well as released the game into beta. In celebration of the second one, I am releasing the biggest quality of life update the game has received in a while. This includes new sounds, which fit more into a retro theme, balance and game changes including a 'Progression Shop' where you can spend in-game money to buy levels! I've also done some minor improvements to the small things like user interface for Excavation! While this update does lack in new content, there will also be a returning feature from the past, all updated and improved to fit with the current state of t |
| Patch 21.21 - Major Fixes & Minor Changes | 2026-04-03 | Hi all,This patch should hopefully fix an issue that has been in the game for a long time, which has ruined people's runs. For a few months, you've been wiped in Most Wanted in a split second at full health, wiped by an asteroid damaging you twice. This update should finally end these experiences and make it better. It's no guarantee, and in instances where you get hit by two asteroids in the same frame, I have not fully fixed this, but it should be less common. Patch Notes 03/04/2026ChangesGeneral: Re-added firing when you are shieldedEaster Event: Eggs now glow so the darker ones are easier to findEaster Event: Eggs now spawn in groups of 5 |
| Patch 21.2 - Progression Balancing & QoL Changes | 2026-04-03 | Hi all,It’s been a while since I looked at progression and after adding prestige badges, I’d like to try and make it all a bit easier while also making it a grind fest. Below is all the changes you need to know.Game BranchesMain Branch has been updated to 21.2 from 21.11Previous Update Branch has been updated to 20.3 from 8.5Old Beta Branch is now out, with access to 5.0 from 2024.Pre-Alpha Branch is now out, with access to 0.4 from 2020.(Beware that this is an extremely unstable old build, from prior to converting from GameMaker to Unity. Do not expect stable content.)Reward ChangesLevelsYou now get rewarded a handful of levels half way and |
| Patch 21.11 - 32 New Egg Variants, Most Wanted Eggspansion | 2026-04-02 | Hi all,Final update to the Easter content for the year. I'm adding 32 more eggs which include a new pattern and more colours, which brings the grand total of unique eggs to 82! If you can't tell, I love making pixel art eggs and adding more colours, so it was very fun. With this update, I have also eggspanded the spawning of eggs to Most Wanted Normal Mode. Eggs will spawn more regularly here, so do not worry. Added 32 new variants of Easter Eggs with new patterns and colour combinationsAdded Egg Spawner to Most Wanted NormalEggs no longer collide with each other |
| Patch 21.1 - New Login Bonus Reward, 25 New Egg Variants | 2026-04-02 | Added a login bonus that will be valid until 1st May 2026Added 25 new variants of Easter Eggs with new patterns and colour combinationsRemoved scrapped 'Online' button and functionalityMinor adjustments and fixes to the menuFixed Easter Egg spawner not functioning in Classic MayhemFixed Easter Eggs spawning in Most Wanted |