This article is
timeless and should be accurate for any version of the game.
Federations
Ancient Relics
MegaCorp
Distant Stars
Apocalypse
Synthetic Dawn
Utopia
Leviathans
Base version
Developer diaries are articles, sometimes accompanied by videos, published by Paradox to describe the game design in detail.
Unannounced content [ edit ]
Developer diaries about the unannounced espionage content.
Patch 2.9 (unnamed)
Necroids [ edit ]
All developer diaries about the Necroids Species Pack and patch 2.8.
Patch 2.8 (Butler)
Federations [ edit ]
All developer diaries about the Federations expansion, patch 2.6 (aka Verne) and patch 2.7 (aka Wells).
Patch 2.7 (Wells)
Patch 2.6 (Verne)
No.
Title and Link
Description
Date
1
Empire Sprawl & Administrative Capacity
Changes that aim to give a more important role to Empire Sprawl
2019-08-29
2
Origins
New dedicated background stories for your empire, derived from Civics
2019-09-26
3
Federation rework
Types, Perks, Laws and Internal mechanics of Federations
2019-10-31
4
Galactic Community
A look to its creation, Resolutions, Diplomatic weight, Favors, Galactic Council and Focus
2019-11-07
5
Origins Full Reveal
A list of all 18 Origins that will be present at the release
2019-11-14
6
Development Update
An update on performance and AI development and a tentative release window for Federation
2019-11-21
7
New Diplomatic Features
Envoys, Diplomacy interface, Diplomatic Stances and Favors
2019-11-28
8
Juggernaut & Mega Shipyard
New Spaceship and Megastructure
2019-12-05
9
Summary of the Year 2019
2019 journey retrospective and changes in Stellaris Dev team composition
2019-12-12
10
Ready for 2020!
Polish progress update and information about upcoming Q&A sessions
2020-01-16
11
Federation Q&A
Q&A sessions about the Federation rework
2020-01-23
12
Galactic Community Q&A
Q&A sessions about the Galactic Community
2020-01-30
13
Diplomacy Q&A
Q&A sessions about General Diplomacy, Diplomatic stances, Diplomatic Weight, Diplomatic Relations and Envoys
2020-02-06
14
Origins Q&A
Q&A related to Origins events, civics and Fallen Empires' Origins
2020-02-13
15
Performance and other technical issues
Summary of causes of performance issues and a demonstration of the improvement.
2020-02-20
16
Reworking the AI
A look at the AI mechanics and plans to improve it.
2020-03-05
17
Federations is soon upon us! (with patch notes)
Patch notes for 2.6.
2020-03-12
Ancient Relics [ edit ]
All developer diaries about the Ancient Relics story pack, patch 2.3 (aka Wolfe), patch 2.4 (aka Lee) and patch 2.5 (aka Shelley).
Patch 2.5 (Shelley)
No.
Title and Link
Description
Date
14
Things That Rock
Lithoid species mechanics
2019-10-24
Patch 2.4 (Lee)
Patch 2.3 (Wolfe)
MegaCorp [ edit ]
All developer diaries about the MegaCorp expansion and patch 2.2 (aka Le Guin).
No.
Title and Link
Description
Date
1
New Economy System
A new economic back-end implemented for 2.2 -- the birth of economic templates and economic units.
2018-08-09
2
Planetary Rework (part 1 of 4)
Planetary reworks, involving changes to deposits and buildings and the addition of districts.
2018-08-16
3
Planetary Rework (part 2 of 4)
Planetary reworks, involving changes to jobs, strata and unemployment, housing, growth and migration.
2018-08-23
4
Planetary Rework (part 3 of 4)
Planetary reworks, involving changes to Stability, Happiness and Crime.
2018-08-30
5
Planetary Rework (part 4 of 4)
Planetary reworks, relating to gestalt consciousnesses and habitats.
2018-09-06
6
The Galactic Market
Addition of a galactic market, internal markets, and changes to trader enclaves
2018-09-13
7
Sectors and Factions
Sector Rework and Faction Happiness Rework
2018-09-20
8
Trade Value and Trade Routes
Introduction of trade value, trade routes and the associated piracy rework
2018-09-27
9
Decisions and Planetary Bombardment
Rework of planetary edicts into decisions and changes to planetary bombardments
2018-10-04
10
Tradition Updates
Updated traditions for the new mechanics and tradition type
2018-10-11
11
New and Changed Technologies in Le Guin
Updated economic & planetary building technologies
2018-10-18
12
MegaCorporations
Titular feature of MegaCorp: MegaCorporations
2018-10-25
13
Ecumenopolis and Megastructures
New megastructures and constructable planet types in MegaCorp
2018-11-01
14
The Caravaneers
Travelling caraveneers & deals in MegaCorp
2018-11-08
15
Slave Market, and more!
Slave market, Unity Ambitions & Mandates
2018-11-15
16
Script changes and modding in 2.2
Script changes & modding
2018-11-22
17
2.2 'Le Guin' patch notes
An early peek at the 2.2 'Le Guin' patch notes
2018-11-29
18
Updates, holidays, and the future
Changes in leadership, holidays, and beta patch.
2018-12-20
19
We're back
Back from holidays, bugs, and patches.
2019-01-09
20
Dnote's Inferno
The where and how -- the ins-and-outs of the product management team by Bevan aka "Dnote".
2019-01-17
21
2.2.x post-launch patch
A highlight of some of the bigger things that may change in the definitive 2.2.x post-launch support period
2019-01-24
22
2.2.x post-launch patch v2
Updates about the final 2.2.x post-launch patch, minor changes to modifiers and interface
2019-02-14
23
Exploring the Future
Update on patch 2.2.6 and a discussion on the future direction of the game and tentative features to be added
2019-02-28
Distant Stars [ edit ]
All developer diaries about the Distant Stars story pack and patch 2.1 (aka Niven).
Apocalypse [ edit ]
All developer diaries about the Apocalypse expansion and patch 2.0 (aka Cherryh).
No.
Title and Link
Description
Date
1
Starbases
Major mechanics rework to affect: border growth, space stations & planetary spaceports, ship construction and more.
2017-10-26
2
FTL Rework and Galactic Terrain
Consolidating FTL, expanding on them, and using them to "build" a galactic terrain.
2017-11-02
3
War, Peace and Claims
Warfare overhaul: casus belli, wargoals, war exhaustion, starbase/system occupation, and peace negotiations.
2017-11-09
4
Ascension Perks & Surveying in Cherryh
Adding basic version of ascension perks to the base game. Replacing the existing surveying and star chart system.
2017-11-16
5
Doomstacks and Ship Design
Breaking down the doomstack issue into its component problems, and some upcoming changes to the ship designer.
2017-11-30
6
Tech Progression in Cherryh
Changes to technology progression in the 2.0 "Cherryh" update
2017-12-07
7
Fleet Manager
Adding of a new Fleet Manager interface
2017-12-14
8
Ground Combat & Army Rework
Ground Combat & Army Rework
2017-12-21
9
Titans and Planet Destroyers
An announcement of the Apocalypse expansion and reveal of the first features in it
2018-01-11
10
Marauders, Pirates and the Horde
Pirate rework in Cherryh and a Horde mid-game crisis in Apocalypse
2018-01-18
11
Edicts, Campaigns and Unity Ambitions
Expanding on edicts - the addition of campaigns and unity ambitions.
2018-01-25
12
Civic/Ascension Perks Changes and Additions
Expanding on changes to Ascension Perks and Civics.
2018-02-01
13
Cherryh Feature Roundup
Quality of Life features and other minor changes in the coming 2.0 'Cherryh' update.
2018-02-08
14
2.0 "Cherryh" patch notes
Ramping up for release: patch notes, achievements and new music.
2018-02-15
15
2.0.2 patch notes and the Road Ahead for Cherryh
A rolling 2.0.2 beta and larger than normal amount of dev time for post-apocalypse support.
2018-03-01
16
The Post-Apocalypse
Revisiting the list of long-term goals for Stellaris
2018-03-08
17
2.0 Post-Release Support (part 1)
Player feedback and changes coming to War Exhaustion and forced Status Quo.
2018-03-15
18
2.0 Post-Release Support (part 2)
Still in full post-release support with more details on the coming 2.0.2 patch.
2018-03-22
19
Creation and Beyond
Audio Director Björn Iversen says goodbye
2018-04-05
Synthetic Dawn [ edit ]
All developer diaries about the Synthetic Dawn story pack, patch 1.8 (aka Čapek) and patch 1.9 (aka Boulle).
Patch 1.9 (Boulle)
Patch 1.8 (Čapek)
All developer diaries about the Utopia expansion, patch 1.5 (aka Banks) and patch 1.6 (aka Adams).
Patch 1.6 (Adams)
No.
Title and Link
Description
Date
15
Introductions and Farewells
Rikard Åslund (Zoft), master of dad-jokes, passes the project lead torch to newcomer Jamie Wood (Jamor)
2017-04-13
16
Beyond Utopia
Revisiting the old priorities list and the future beyond Utopia
2017-04-20
17
The Adams Update (part 1)
Ruined megastructures, split taxes sectors, sector stockpiles and new art assets in 1.6 Adams
2017-04-27
18
The Adams Update (part 2)
Devouring Swarm civic for Hive Minds, terraforming enhancements, and full patch notes.
2017-05-04
Patch 1.5 (Banks)
No.
Title and Link
Description
Date
1
Ethics Rework
Reworked empire and pop ethics, as well as a new outlook on factions
2016-12-08
2
Unity and Traditions
Banks 1.5 will introduce new mechanics
2016-12-15
3
Ascension Perks
The new Ascension mechanic and its following 'species endgame' paths coming in Banks
2017-01-12
4
Species Rights
Changes to pops: species rights/obligations, new degrees of slavery and purging, refugees, core worlds and more.
2017-01-19
5
Habitats
Your new home above your home
2017-01-26
6
Megastructures
Megastructures: the headline feature of the Utopia expansion.
2017-02-02
7
Psionics and The Shroud
Psionic Ascension Path
2017-02-09
8
Indoctrination, Unrest and Faction Interactions
Wiz goes into details on indoctrinating pre-FTL species, new unrest system for factions and ways to interact with them
2017-02-16
9
Government, Civics and Hive Minds
Banks focus on internal politics warrants a government rework
2017-02-23
10
Synthetic and Biological Ascension
A closer look at ascension paths
2017-03-02
11
Minor Features and Tweaks
Empire-wide Food, Terraforming Candidate anomaly, War Demand cost reducing, UI improvements
2017-03-09
12
The Music of Utopia
Andreas Waldetoft composed some new music
2017-03-16
13
Graphics & Interface in Banks
Changes to the map in Banks
2017-03-23
14
Update 1.5 Banks Patch Notes
Full Patch Notes
2017-03-30
Leviathans [ edit ]
All developer diaries about the Leviathans story pack, patch 1.3 (aka Heinlein) and patch 1.4 (aka Kennedy).
Patch 1.4 (Kennedy)
Patch 1.3 (Heinlein)
No.
Title and Link
Description
Date
1
Back in Action
Focusing on addressing community feedback in Heinlein
2016-08-01
2
Heinlein Patch (part 1)
Auto-explore, rally points, expansion planner, strategic resource rework
2016-08-08
3
Heinlein Patch (part 2)
Ship roles and weapon re-balance
2016-08-15
4
Heinlein Patch (part 3)
Changes to planet habitability and federations/alliances, sector improvements and more galaxy setup options
2016-08-22
5
The Fallen
Changes to Fallen Empires in Heinlein, and also "The War in Heaven" events
2016-08-29
6
Space Creature Rework
Grounding space creatures to a regional 'nexus' and expansion of space piracy
2016-09-06
7
Ship Balance
More details on ship roles and weapon re-balance
2016-09-12
8
Enclaves
Enclaves coming in Stellaris: Leviathans
2016-09-19
9
The Guardians
The Guardians are the headline feature of Stellaris: Leviathans
2016-09-29
10
Roar! And Boom!
A look at the sound and music of Leviathans
2016-10-06
11
Graphics & Portraits
New graphics and portraits coming in Heinlein and Leviathans
2016-10-13
Post-release patches [ edit ]
All developer diaries about the post-release patches, patch 1.1 (aka Clarke) and patch 1.2 (aka Asimov).
Patch 1.2 (Asimov)
No.
Title and Link
Description
Date
4
Asimov Patch (part 1)
Diplomacy improvements, border access and embassies
2016-06-14
5
Asimov Patch (part 2)
Better looking battles, map modes, nomad fleets, slave factions, new wargoals, diplomatic incidents
2016-06-20
6
New Skyboxes
Variation added to the universe with the introduction of new Skyboxes
2016-06-27
Patch 1.1 (Clarke)
No.
Title and Link
Description
Date
1
The Maiden Voyage
Paradox's plans for the next three Stellaris patches
2016-05-16
2
Clarke Patch
UI, AI and empire builder improvements, balance changes, bug fixes
2016-05-24
3
QA in Space
A little light on QA work
2016-05-30
Base game [ edit ]
All developer diaries about Stellaris (base game).
No.
Title and Link
Description
Date
1
The Vision
Design goals
2015-09-21
2
Art Vision
Artistic choices
2015-09-28
3
Galaxy Generation
How galaxies are generated
2015-10-05
4
Means of Travel
About FTL propulsion
2015-10-12
5
Empires and Species
What sets species apart
2015-10-19
6
Rulers and Leaders
Role that characters play
2015-10-26
7
Science Ships, Surveys and Anomalies
Science ships and events
2015-11-02
8
The Situation Log and Special Projects
Event journal
2015-11-09
9
Planets & Resources
Planetary differences, resource collection methods
2015-11-16
10
The Spaceport and rare resources
Spaceport upgrades and rare resource use
2015-11-23
11
Research & Technology
The hidden, semi-random tech tree
2015-11-30
12
Policies & Edicts
Empire-wide policies, temporary edicts
2015-12-07
13
Primitive Civilizations
Study, enlighten, or infiltrate the natives
2015-12-14
14
Uplifting and Subspecies
Uplift and tailor pre-sentients, alter your own people
2015-12-21
15
Fallen Empires
Powerful, isolationist AI empires
2016-01-04
16
Colony Events
Events to set your planets apart
2016-01-11
17
Ship Designer
Choose a design's sections, and fill their weapon and utility slots
2016-01-18
18
Fleet Combat
Weapon/defense types, hands-off combat, and emergency FTL
2016-01-25
19
Diplomacy & Trade
Trade negotiations and subject types
2016-02-01
20
War and peace
War goals and war score
2016-02-08
21
Administrative Sectors
Few directly managed planets, AI-managed sectors
2016-02-15
22
Alliances and Federations
Multilateral alliances and closely cooperating federations
2016-02-22
23
Multiplayer
32-player multiplayer and enhanced stability
2016-02-29
24
AI
Unique personalities, threat assessments, AI budgeting
2016-03-07
25
Reverse Engineering and Unique Technologies
Studying debris
2016-03-14
26
Migration, Slavery & Purges
Policies concerning Migration, Slavery and Purges
2016-03-21
27
Music & Sound
The soundtrack and sound design of Stellaris
2016-03-28
28
Project Lead speaks
The project lead of Stellaris, Rikard "Zoft" Åslund speaks
2016-04-04
29
Pop Factions & Elections
About populations (pops), factions and elections
2016-04-11
30
Late Game Crises
About late game crises
2016-04-18
31
Modding (Scripting Anomalies)
About modding in general, and scripting anomalies in particular
2016-04-25
32
Modding (Art)
About modding art, with a focus on characters and ship modding
2016-05-02
Developer video diaries and developer's let's play sessions on the various expansions.
Videos
No.
Title and Link
Description
Date
1
Tour of the Galaxy
Stellaris pre-order trailer recounting the game's features
2016-04-14
2
Leviathans - 1.3 Heinlein patch
Anders "cKnoor" Carlsson drags Daniel "Grekulf" Moregård and Aziz Faghihinejad to go over the 1.3 (Heinlein) patch
2016-09-29
3
Leviathans - Feature Spotlight
Martin "Wiz" Anward, Stellaris' game director, explains the new additions coming to the game in Leviathans
2016-10-17
4
EGX Rezzed - Utopia build ideas
Daniel "Grekulf" Moregård shows some of his favorite builds to use Utopia
2017-03-30
5
EGX Rezzed - Alexis Kennedy
Anders "cKnoor" Carlsson sits down with Alexis Kennedy to talk about his work on Horizon Signal for Stellaris
2017-04-01
6
Utopia - Feature Spotlight
Martin "Wiz" Anward goes over the features in the coming Stellaris expansion Utopia
2017-04-03
7
Utopia - 1.6 Adams patch
Wiz and cKnoor on the balance/bug-fix patch in the pipelines for Stellaris
2017-04-20
8
Tutorial - Colonization
Martin "Wiz" Anward takes the place of your loyal advisor to instruct you on the process of colonization
2017-04-21
9
Design Corner #01
Martin Anward and & Daniel Moregård, Stellaris' game director and game designer, go through some of the design challenges with Stellaris and ideas of what might happen next: FTL, borders, combat, crises and more.
2017-04-27
10
Gamescom 2017 - Stellaris Q&A
Daniel "Grekulf" Moregård and Susie respond to users inquires in Gamescom 2017
2017-08-23
11
Synthetic Dawn - Feature Spotlight
Martin "Wiz" Anward breaks down the feature list of the upcoming "Synthetic Dawn" story pack
2017-09-06
12
Design Corner #02
Martin Anward and Daniel Moregård, Stellaris' game director and game designer, expand on the latest border and FTL rework as well as detailing what possibilities open up through them.
2017-11-02
13
Apocalypse - First Look
Wiz and Blondie, with a first look at Stellaris' 2nd expansion Apocalypse .
2018-01-11
14
Apocalypse - Q&A
A Q&A on Apocalypse and the 2.0 Cherryh patch with Wiz and Blondie.
2018-01-29
15
Apocalypse - Feature Spotlight
Daniel "Grekulf" Moregård details the focus points of the coming Stellaris expansion Apocalypse
2018-02-15
16
Distant Stars - First Look
Wiz and Blondie, with a sneak peak at Stellaris' 3rd story pack Distant Stars .
2018-04-23
17
Distant Stars - Feature Spotlight
Daniel "Grekulf" Moregård with a break-down of the Distant Stars story pack features
2018-05-19
18
PDXCon 2018 - After the Apocalypse
Martin "Wiz" Anward talks about the future of Stellaris at PDXCON 2018
2018-05-20
19
Design Corner #03
Martin Anward and Daniel Moregård, Stellaris' game director and game designer, with details and a Q&A section about planetary rework planned coming in patch 2.2 (aka "Le Guin")
2018-09-06
20
MegaCorp - First Look
Wiz and Blondie, Unveiling Stellaris' 3rd expansion, which focuses on economy, MegaCorp .
2018-10-24
Let's Plays
No.
Title and Link
Description
Start date
End date
1
All hail Blorg, Space Friends
Pre-release LP's of Stellaris by Martin "Wiz" Anward and Anders "cKnoor" Carlsson
2016-03-17
2016-05-26
2
Blorg Cinematic Universe
Multiplayer event of Stellaris in London where devs and youtubers fight for dominance
2016-05-03
2016-05-04
3
Community Galaxy
A new galaxy populated with community created species
2016-06-09
2016-08-04
4
Community Galaxy - The Rad
A galaxy populated with community created species (and plantoids)
2016-08-11
2016-09-22
5
Cute Co-Op
A new galaxy showcasing patch 1.3 (Heinlein) and the Leviathans story pack
2016-10-06
2016-12-08
6
Starcrossed Starfish
Two sub-species, evil and good, vying for supremacy in an extra hot code preview of patch 1.4/Utopia
2017-02-02
2017-03-23
7
Devouring Flock
Martin teaches Susie (new Stellaris community manager) how to play Stellaris while simultaneously checking out the Devouring Swarm Hivemind!
2017-06-15
2017-08-10
8
RoBLORG
Martin and Susie show off the upcoming Synthetic Dawn story pack by playing as a machine empire!
2017-08-03
2017-09-14
9
Artificial Alliance
Organics have been inefficient for too long. It's time to integrate them.
2017-09-28
2017-11-09
10
Stellaris for Beginners
Let's learn how to play Stellaris!
2017-10-12
2017-12-14
11
Orcs vs. Dwarves
Let's deepdive into Stellaris: Apocalypse with an age-old strife.
2018-01-18
2018-03-01
12
Distant Stars
In this new discovery-themed pack, players will uncover new anomalies and storylines, and encounter strange new beings in the uncharted depths of space.
2018-04-27
2018-06-21
References [ edit ]