Development
The initial beta testing of Darwinia begun on August 27, 2004, and the beta testing of the full game started on November 26, the same year. A demo level of Darwinia was released 3 months later on January 21, and can be downloaded from the Darwinia website. Darwinia was released on March 4, 2005, while the Macintosh version was released March 30, 2005 by publisher Ambrosia Software. A patch was released on April 28, 2005 for Microsoft Windows, bringing the version to 1.2. New features included an improved unit selection system, as well as numerous modding updates including the ability to create custom strings. Another patch (version 1.3) was released in September 2005, which includes the option (enabled by default) of clicking icons or using keyboard shortcuts to create units instead of using the gesture system.
A new demo, using features of the above-mentioned version 1.3 patch and an entirely new level "Launchpad" not in the full game, was released in September 2005. Darwinia was released on Steam on December 14, 2005. With the Steam framework open to them, Introversion now hopes to implement the long-planned multiplayer mode into Darwinia. Beta testing signups for the next Windows Patch started on the February 22, 2006. A new patch was released on March 10, 2006 bringing the version up to 1.42 and adding difficulty settings ranging from 1 to 10. Higher difficulties increase the number, speed, and health of monsters. It also increases the speed of the player's own units. When played on the highest difficulty, the players will experience "Darwinia on Steroids", a term coined by Introversion and referring to the high speed of the player. eGames-owned Cinemaware on April 4, 2006 issued a press release announcing they would bring Darwinia to US markets in June 2006. Beta testing signups for version 1.5.x started on the December 15, 2006. A Windows Vista exclusive version of Darwinia with extra eye candy and 3 additional levels was released on January 31, 2007. Version 1.5.1.1 patch released on June 18, 2007, providing support for DirectX 9c, including extra eye candy and the "Launchpad" level.
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