Blooncyclopedia:Projects/Update history
The update history project focuses on documenting every single update that ever released for a Bloons game. Our goal is to document updates as thoroughly as possible, focusing on the actual changes made in updates, not just what's listed in official update notes. This includes documenting the following:
- Bugs that the update introduced
- Text and graphics changes
- Added or removed unused content
- Promotional images and teasers
Since our update history guidelines were only recently established, we also need to redo existing update articles to be more consistent with recent update articles. We also need to catalog as many official descriptions and promotional images of updates as possible.
How to help
- See Help:Update history for how to use update history templates and Blooncyclopedia:Update history guidelines for how to structure update history articles.
- Simple tasks:
- Rewriting bullet points to use the
|name=parameter of templates like{{buff}},{{nerf}}, et cetera - Updating text changes to use the new
{{compare text}}template - Adding release dates and/or sources for release dates
- Reordering section headers and making them more consistent with the guidelines
- Moving notes about errors in official update notes to a "Notes" section at the bottom of the article
- Rewriting bullet points to use the
- Complex tasks:
- Finding out specifics of vague update notes, usually ones pertaining to bug fixes and minor issues, ideally by providing references to things like Reddit posts that report those issues in more detail
- Downpatching games to conduct research, for similar reasons to the above
- Moving minor changes to towers to templates like
{{BTD6 tower changes}}or{{BTD6 hero changes}}, even if the changes are minor - Converting lists of changes to minor elements, like Monkey Knowledge, to tables by using templates like
{{BTD6 changes table}}
Articles required
- For Bloons TD 6, Bloons Adventure Time TD, and Bloons TD Battles 2, every update with a unique version number should have its own article, including updates exclusive to the console version and Chinese version of BTD6. See Update history:Bloons TD 6/Version 54.0 and Update history:Bloons TD Battles 2/Version 4.2 for examples.
- For the multiplatform version of Bloons TD Battles, every major update should have its own article. Minor updates should be included as sub-sections of these articles instead of getting their own pages, due to their relative simplicity.
- For the following games, catalog all their updates in a single update history page, similar to Update history:Bloons Pop! and Update history:Bloons TD 5 Deluxe:
- Bloons 2 (Flash)
- Bloons TD (iOS)
- Bloons TD 4 (Flash)
- Bloons TD 4 (mobile)
- Bloons TD 5 (Flash)
- Bloons TD 5 (multiplatform)
- Bloons TD Battles (Flash)
- Bloons Monkey City (Flash)
- Bloons Monkey City (multiplatform)
- Bloons Super Monkey 2 (Flash)
- Bloons Supermonkey 2 (mobile)
- These articles may be split up by year of release if they turn out to be too long.
- For other games, simply list the updates on the article for the game itself instead of having a separate article for it.
Potential obstacles
- Updates for most of the Flash games are poorly documented on the internet. Finding exact changes requires uncovering and datamining old SWF files, since Ninja Kiwi did not keep backups of older versions of their Flash games on their website.
- Older versions of some discontinued mobile games are lost.
- Ninja Kiwi does not have backups of
xpromofiles accessible from their servers, so finding URLs for all of the cross-promotional images is not going to be easy.
Resources
Feel free to add any useful resources to this section.
Release dates
| Platform | Method | Example(s) |
|---|---|---|
| Steam | SteamDB | Bloons TD 6 (Windows) Bloons TD 6 (macOS) |
| Epic Games Store | Epic Games Database | Bloons TD 6 (Windows) Bloons TD 6 (Android) Bloons TD 6 (iOS) |
Downloading old versions of games on Steam
- Find the manifest of the version from the depot for the game/platform on SteamDB. For example, for Bloons TD 6 on Windows, go to https://steamdb.info/depot/960091/ and click on "manifests".
- Make sure "Steam console" is selected, then click on the copy button to the right of the manifest you want to download. Note that you must own a license for the game to download it.
- Once you copy it, you can open the Steam console using the link that pops up in the top-right corner of the webpage.
- Paste the command in the Steam console and wait for it to download. When it finishes, the console will tell you where the files are on your computer.
Flash game SWFs
This list is incomplete.
Bloons 2
| Name | Version | Live link | Archive link | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| bloons2.swf (2011) | 3.0 | [1] | ||
| bloons2.swf (current) | 3.0 | [2] | [3] | Size is different from the 2011 version despite having the same version number, no idea why |
| bloons2-2.swf | 3.0 | [4] | [5] | Byte-for-byte identical to current bloons2.swf |
| bloons2-5.swf | 2.8 | [6] | [7] | The version used on the archive and the site prior to web games being removed, despite being outdated and having broken fonts |
| bloons2_nohighscore.swf | 2.8 | [8] | [9] | Almost the exact same file size as 2-5, no clue what the differences are |
| bloons2.swf (kong) | 0.2C | [10] | [11] | Has free dart guideline and ads for bloons blast |
| 552853_bloons2.swf (ng) | 2.2 | [12] | [13] | |
| bloons2.swf (mochi) | 2.5 | [14] | Has christmas expansion promo | |
| bloons2.swf?affiliate_id=4ec3e7fc44026e17 (mochi distribute) | 0.4C | [15] | Has driller bunny mobile promo | |
| bloons2.swf?affiliate_id=a80dc05ffde594ea (2011) | 2.7 | [16] |
Christmas Expansion
| Name | Version | Live link | Archive link | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| bloons2xmas.swf (mochi 2011) | 1.0 | [17] | ||
| bloons2xmas.swf (mochi 2012) | 1.1 | [18] | ||
| bloons2xmas.swf | 1.0 | [19] | [20] |
Spring Fling
| Name | Version | Live link | Archive link | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| bloons2spring.swf | 1.11 | [21] | [22] | |
| bloons2_spring_fling.swf | 1.12 | [23] | [24] | |
| bloons2_spring_fling.swf (mochi) | 1.12 | [25] | Doesn't have broken fonts |
BTD4
| Name | Version | Live link | Archive link | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| bloonstd4.swf (2009) | 1.1 | [26] | ||
| bloonstd4.swf (may 2010) | 1.11 | [27] | ||
| bloonstd4.swf (aug 2010) | 1.15 | [28] | ||
| bloonstd4.swf?affiliate_id=1c8e96a7a0a86d06 (feb 2011) | 1.17 | [29] | ||
| bloonstd4.swf (sep 2011) | 1.26 | [30] | ||
| bloonstd4.swf (jan 2012) | 1.30 | [31] | ||
| bloonstd4.swf (feb 2012) | 1.31 | [32] | ||
| bloonstd4.swf (sept 2012) | 1.32 | [33] | ||
| bloonstd4.swf (nov 2012) | 1.33 | [34] | ||
| bloonstd4.swf (2016) | 1.33 | [35] | ||
| bloonstd4_moved.swf | 1.35b | [36] | [37] | |
| 518052_bloonstd4.swf (ng) | 1.0 | [38] | [39] | |
| bloonstd4.swf (kong) | 1.28k | [40] | [41] |
BTD4E
| Name | Version | Live link | Archive link | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| bloonstd4exp.swf (2011) | 1.17 exp | [42] | ||
| bloonstd4exp.swf (2012) | 1.18 exp | [43] | ||
| bloonstd4exp.swf (2014) | 1.18 exp | [44] | [45] | Adds NK account support |
| 553984_bloonstd4exp.swf (ng) | 1.17 exp | [46] | [47] |
BSM
| Name | Version | Live link | Archive link | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| bloonssupermonkey.swf (2010) | 1.10 | [48] | ||
| bloonssupermonkey.swf?affiliate_id=9cc4cef3a0080450 (oct 2010) | 3.2 | [49] | ||
| bloonssupermonkey.swf (2014) | 3.6 | [50] | [51] | Has BSM2 ad |
| bloonssupermonkey.swf (kong) | 1.08 | [52] | [53] | |
| bloonssupermonkey.swf (ng) | 1.08 | [54] | [55] | |
| bloonssupermonkey.swf (mochi) | 3.6 | [56] | Has hungry sumo mobile ad |
BTD5
forum post listing updates (not 100% accurate though? missing some versions like v280212)
| Name | Version | Live link | Archive link | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| btd5.swf (4 jan 2012) | 231211-1 | [57] | ||
| btd5.swf (11 jan 2012) | 090112 | [58] | ||
| btd5.swf (27 jan 2012) | 270112 | [59] | ||
| btd5.swf (1 mar 2012) | 280212 | [60] | ||
| btd5-dat.swf?v=250512 (oct 2012) | 111012.01 | [61] | ||
| btd5-dat.swf?v=110512-2 (nov 2012) | 151112.03 | [62] | ||
| btd5-dat.swf?v=150612-3.html (dec 2012) | 121212.01 | [63] | ||
| btd5-dat.swf?v=180512 (21 dec 2012) | 191212.05 | [64] | Has double MM and premium discount | |
| btd5-dat.swf?v=180512 (jan 2013) | 130117.01 | [65] | ||
| btd5.swf?cachebust=130117.01 (kong) | 130117.01 | [66] | ||
| 610995_btd5.swf (ng) | 130131.01 | [67] | [68] | |
| btd5.swf?cachebust=130131.09 (kong) | 130131.09 | [69] | ||
| btd5-dat.swf?v=150612-3 (feb 2013) | 130214.05 | [70] | ||
| btd5.swf?cachebust=130214.05 (kong) | 130214.05 | [71] | ||
| btd5-dat.swf?v=250512 (feb 2013) | 130220.01 | [72] | ||
| btd5.swf?cachebust=130306.01 (kong) | 130220.01 | [73] | ||
| btd5-dat.swf (1 may 2013) | 130405.02 | [74] | ||
| btd5-dat.swf (24 may 2013) | 130502.04 | [75] | ||
| btd5-dat.swf?v=150612-3 (jun 2013) | 130527.01 | [76] | ||
| btd5.swf?cachebust=130613.09 (kong) | 130613.09 | [77] | ||
| btd5-dat.swf?v=180512 (aug 2013) | 130619.01 | [78] | ||
| btd5-dat.swf?v=20130619-02 (aug 2013) | 130829.02 | [79] | ||
| btd5-dat.swf (sep 2013) | 130917.01 | [80] | ||
| btd5.swf?cachebust=130918.01 (kong) | 130927.01 | [81] | ||
| btd5-dat.swf?v=20130828-1 (sep 2013) | 130927.01 | [82] | ||
| btd5-dat.swf?v=150612-3 (11 dec 2013) | 131127.01 | [83] | ||
| btd5-dat.swf?v=250512 (21 dec 2013) | 131216.01 | [84] | Has winter theme | |
| btd5-dat.swf (apr 2014) | 140319.01 | [85] | ||
| btd5-dat.swf?v=150612-3 (jul 2014) | 140419.01 | [86] | ||
| btd5-dat.swf (sep 2014) | 140801.01 | [87] | ||
| btd5-dat.swf?v=20141104-01 (nov 2014) | 141104.01 | [88] | ||
| btd5.swf?cachebust=130927.01 (kong) | 141109.01 | [89] | ||
| btd5-dat.swf?v=20150112-01 (jan 2015) | 150112.01 | [90] | ||
| btd5-dat.swf?v=150612-3 (mar 2015) | 150304.03 | [91] | ||
| btd5-dat.swf (jun 2015) | 150521.01 | [92] | ||
| btd5-dat.swf?v=250512 (jul 2015) | 150703.01 | [93] | Has double MM | |
| btd5-dat.swf?v=20150707-01 (jul 2015) | 150707.01 | [94] | ||
| btd5-dat.swf?v=250512 (aug 2015) | 150805.01 | [95] | ||
| btd5.swf?cachebust=150805.01 (kong) | 150805.01 | [96] | ||
| btd5-dat.swf?v=20151015-01 (nov 2015) | 151102.02 | [97] | ||
| bloons-td-5-17839.swf?v=1446778807 (ag) | 151102.02 | [98] | ||
| btd5-dat.swf?gp=1 (dec 2015) | 151208.01 | [99] | Has new winter theme | |
| btd5-dat.swf (feb 2016) | 160113.02 | [100] | ||
| btd5-dat.swf?v=20140319-02 (mar 2016) | 160323.01 | [101] | ||
| btd5-dat.swf?v=250512 (4 apr 2016) | 160330.01 | [102] | ||
| bloons-td-5-17839.swf?v=1459440032 (ag) | 160330.01 | [103] | ||
| btd5.swf?cachebust=160411.01 (kong) | 160412.03 | [104] | ||
| bloons-td-5-17839.swf?v=1458983103 (ag) | 160412.03 | [105] | ||
| btd5-dat.swf?v=250512 (21 apr 2016) | 160418.03 | [106] | ||
| btd5-dat.swf?gp=1 (sep 2016) | 160715.01 | [107] | ||
| btd5.swf?cachebust=161026.01 (kong) | 161026.01 | [108] | ||
| btd5-dat.swf?gp=1 (nov 2016) | 161028.01 | [109] | ||
| btd5-dat.swf?gp=1 (dec 2016) | 161107.01 | [110] | ||
| btd5.swf?cachebust=161107.01 (kong) | 161107.01 | [111] | ||
| bloons-td-5-17839.swf (ag) | 161107.01 | [112] | ||
| btd5-dat.swf?gp=1 (7 jan 2017) | 161212.01 | [113] | ||
| btd5-dat.swf?v=250512 (feb 2017) | 170112.01 | [114] | ||
| btd5.swf?cachebust=170112.01 (kong) | 170112.01 | [115] | ||
| btd5-dat.swf?v=250512 (jun 2017) | 170420.01 | [116] | ||
| btd5.swf?cachebust=170420.01 (kong) | 170420.01 | [117] | ||
| bloons-td-5-17839.swf?v=1492642274 (ag) | 170420.01 | [118] | ||
| btd5-dat.swf?v=20130927 (jun 2018) | 180115.01 | [119] | ||
| btd5.swf?cachebust=180115.01 (kong) | 180115.01 | [120] | ||
| bloons-td-5-17839.swf?v=1513722997 (ag) | 180115.01 | [121] | ||
| btd5-dat.swf (sep 2018) | 180611.01 | [122] | ||
| bloons-td-5-17839.swf?v=1529366225 (ag) | 180611.01 | [123] | ||
| bloons-td-5-17839.swf?v=1539913216 (ag) | 181019.01 | [124] | ||
| bloons-td-5-17839.swf?v=1541973814 (ag) | 181112.01 | [125] | ||
| btd5-dat.swf (sep 2019) | 190114.01 | [126] | [127] | |
| btd5.swf?cachebust=190114.01 (kong) | 190114.01 | [128] | [129] | |
| bloons-td-5-17839.swf?v=1547412936 (ag) | 180114.01 | [130] | [131] | |
| btd5-dat-nolock.swf | 190114.01 | [132] | [133] | |
| btd5-dat-nolock2.swf | 190114.01 | [134] | [135] |