World Hockey '88 — 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Version 2.0.5 - October 24th 2026 | 2026-10-24 | Fixes - Gameplay: Fixed Slapshot power UI not being accurate. - Gameplay: Fixed Slapshot charging being sometimes way too slow. - Exhibition Results: Fixed menu rendering bug when starting a rematch. - Exhibition Results: Fixed prompts continuing to display after starting a rematch. - Team Stat Editor: Fixed being able to set player stats to zero. - Practice: Fixed no longer being able to disable individual players in practice mode - Practice: Fixed CPU difficulty applying to player team when difficulty is changed, or teams are swapped. Improvements: - Team Editor: Added option to reset player type back to defaults, rather than having to rese |
| Version 2.0.4 - October 12th 2026 | 2026-10-12 | Fixes - Fixed a crash related to the Tug-O-War - Fixed fight input prompt not showing up for the right-side player. - Fixed a major issue preventing the Steam Cloud implementation from working properly Improvements - Greatly improved window resize and fullscreen handling. - Minor optimizations Changes - Auto-Goalie is now enabled by default |
| Version 2.0.3 - June 26th 2026 | 2026-06-26 | Crash Fixes - Fixed a crash regarding stat calculation when starting a fight |
| Version 2.0.2 - June 22nd 2026 | 2026-06-22 | Major Fix - Fixed crash on startup when there is no existing save file |
| Version 2.0.1 - June 20th 2026 | 2026-06-20 | Minor Patch - Added VSync setting to Display Options - Added Exclusive-Mode Fullscreen as an additional display mode option - Renamed "Fullscreen" to "Borderless Window" - Switched back to a legacy DirectX swap chain to potentially fix display or performance issues. |
| Version 2.0 - June 20th 2026 | 2026-06-20 | Happy 1st birthday to World Hockey '88! To celebrate we have an update so big we had to change the version numbering system! Version 2.0 is a major overhaul of the entire game to address the large majority of feature requests and feedback, and applying an extra layer of polish over the whole experience.Additions / New FeaturesSystem- Added support for framerates above 60 fps, including unlocked frame cap. (This feature is somewhat experimental and unavailable in online multiplayer) Input Handling- Added the ability to remap controls Teams- All teams can now be individually customized with the following parameters:- Difficulty level per positi |
| Patch 9 - December 20th 2025 | 2025-12-20 | Online MultiplayerFixesNow properly supports re-syncing indefinitely long delays. This should fix ALL desync issues.Fixed desync when pressing F12 for screenshot.Fixed chat not locking menu inputImprovementsMinimum frame delay is now less than 40% of what it was before. This allows for much smoother online play.Added ability to forfeit mid-match (by holding pause for 3 seconds).AdditionsAdded option for lobby host to change the rink.Steam DeckFixed stretching & incorrect aspect ratio.InputDualSense: Fixed Touch Pad glyph being used in place of Create button. |
| Patch 8 - December 17th 2025 | 2025-12-18 | OnlineImprovements:Last set lobby Game Rules are now saved.FixesFixed crash when player tries to enter team setup after joining from an invite.Team Setup: Fixed incorrect prompts when switching devices SettingsFixed puck color's default option being incorrect when resetting to default. |
| Patch 7 - December 13th 2025 | 2025-12-13 | Online: - Massively improved online stability and syncing. - Desyncs are now properly resolved instead of exiting back to the lobby. - Maximum delay was extended from .5 seconds to 2 seconds. - Increased leniency for frame rate hangs/spikes. - Fixed goal scene being skippable in online multiplayer and causing a desync. - Fixed ice scratches not being cleared after a match finishes. - Fixed online error messages lacking background shadows - Fixed Results screen music persisting after a match finishes. - Steam's Rich Text Status now properly displays if a player is playing a match online or is in a lobby. Misc. Fixes - Fixed "End of 1st/3rd Per |
| Update 2.5 - Localization & More - December 1st 2025 | 2025-12-02 | Update 2, Part 2!If you still felt as though Update 2 wasn't truly big enough to be called "The Big One", this is why. Some features planned for Update 2 were pushed back to get some major fixes and improvements out first, and localization was a huge undertaking! So here is the rest of Update 2!Localization!- Added support for localization!- Added the following languages: Finnish, Italian, Spanish (MX)To assure quality translations and support professional translators, all translations are done by native speakers of each respective language.Extensive testing and research was also done for each one to make sure all text is accurate, and that t |
| Patch 6 - November 6th 2025 | 2025-11-06 | World Champion Mode - Fixed "New Game" being blanked out instead of "Continue" when no save file is available. Online - Friends list now displays when friends are busy or away.Menus - Various minor polish. - Fixed player settings button prompt being wrong. |
| Update 2 - The Big One - November 4th 2025 | 2025-11-04 | Hey! It's hockey season!So here's a new update to celebrate! Update 2 was intended to just be another small polish patch, the keyword here is "intended".This is the largest update to the game thus far, and by far, overhauling many components of the game, and adding lots of key new features!There's still lots of features on the roadmap so continue to stay tuned for new updates! New ways to play! - Alternate win conditions! You can now play non-timed matches with a target goal count. New Teams! - Added Mexico and Spain to the roster for a total of 30 teams! (+8 Secret Teams for 38 in total) World Champion - Now keeps track of your best outcome |
| Patch 5 - August 20th 2025 | 2025-08-20 | Pause Menu - Added sub-menu to the in-game pause menu. - Added Player Settings to the in-game pause menu. Practice - Polished controls info. - Added reset puck button. - Fixed disabling a player that's holding the puck causing the puck to freeze. Settings - Added descriptions for Icing, Scene, and Fighting settings. Tournament Mode - Fixed CPU vs CPU always counting as a player win. Menu Polish - Fixed single-frame camera jerk at the start of the results screen. - Minor polish for button prompts and menu windows. - Minor polish for title screen. - Netplay lobby creation menu can now fit the widest possible lobby name. - Added drop shadows to |
| Patch 4 - August 15th 2025 | 2025-08-15 | CPU Players - Greatly improved and polished offense behaviour. - Fixed CPU players slowing down and jittering slightly before a shot. - Fixed CPU players shooting straight forward too often. Fighting - Greatly improved CPU behaviour and difficulty balancing. - Fixed softlock caused by players getting stuck on the goal crease after a fight. - Fixed rare bug where post-fight faceoff not finishing causes misplaced faceoff in the next match. Graphics - Fixed excessive ice-scratches causing black-spots in the ice. Pre-Game - Added setting to disable the pre-game sequence. (Game Settings -> Scene Settings) - Fixed "SKIP" prompt being misaligned for |
| Patch 3 - August 12th 2025 | 2025-08-12 | World Champion - Fixed game crashing when continuing a save. Developer Note: This frustratingly was due to a last second fix for another issue, I apologize for not doing more thorough testing right before release. - New Game now asks for confirmation if there's a saved game available. - Minor menu polish Exhibition - Added per-team difficulty settings for CPU vs CPU. - Minor menu polish |
| Update 1 - CPU vs CPU - August 9th 2025 | 2025-08-09 | New Features! - Added support for CPU vs CPU gameplay for Exhibition and Tournament modes. - Added saving and continuing progress to World Champion. New Settings! - Added camera settings for flipping the orientation. - Added camera settings for automatically flipping orientation at the end of a period. - Added performance settings for disabling HDR. (greatly improves performance on older devices) Additions - Added a pre-game sequence. - Officials & NPC characters now have animations for more angles. Changes / Improvements - Changed font for button prompts to be larger and clearer. - Escape is now the default pause key instead of enter on keyb |
| Patch 2 - July 19th 2025 | 2025-07-20 | Game Changes: Significant overall improvements to input device handling. Fixed multiple crashes and issues related to controller disconnects. Demo Changes: Updated demo to reflect fixes, polish, and overall improvements present in the full game. |
| Patch 1 - June 22nd 2025 | 2025-06-23 | Fixed World Champion Mode crashing upon completion Fixed "No Goalies" Gameplay mod not unlocking properly. |