Updates

Information about individual updates to The Secret Society: Hidden Mystery.

List of Updates in Apple App Store
The first platforms The Secret Society: Hidden Mystery game was released on were iOS supported mobile devices such as iPhones and iPads. Updates for these devices are received via the Apple App Store.

Note: This section concerns the version of the game released for Mac iOS mobile devices released through the Apple Appstore, not Mac computers released through the Mac Appstore.

Below is a list of update released for the Secret Society: Hidden mystery, the date of release on the apple app store, and the main changes each update created within the game.


 * Version 1.0 - released 14th November 2012 - original game release!
 * Version 1.1 - released 12th December 2012 - zoom and other bugs fixed
 * Version 1.2 - released 31st January 2013 - improved tutorial added and bug fixes
 * Version 1.3 - released 17th April 2013 - Friends aspect of the game added, Palatial Office and Night Garden added, 20 new collections and 100 extra quests added
 * Version 1.3.5 - released 30th April 2013 - fixed crashed caused by 1.3 update
 * Version 1.3.6 - released 19th July 2013 - new levels added to pictures, top100 increased to top1000
 * Version 1.4 - released 15th August 2013 - Ancient Library and the Mill added, 300 extra quests and 40 new collections added, magic chests introduced
 * Version 1.5 - released 2nd October 2013 - Eastern Bazaar and Illusionist's Room added, 420 extra quests and 60 new collections added, new levels added to awards (update later patched to fixed crashing problem it originally caused)
 * Version 1.6 - released 30th October 2013 - The Halloween Update - the first holiday themed update introduced the first time sensitive holiday challenges, added Witch's Hut, added 20 new collections and a number of new quests
 * Version 1.7 - released 13th December 2013 - The Christmas Update - the second holiday themed update introduced 4 time sensitive holiday challenges, added Christmas Eve picture, added Gem Match mini game (then called Match-3), added 16 new collections and 100 extra quests
 * Version 1.7.5 - released 17th December 2013 - fixed game crash caused by 1.7 update
 * Version 1.8 - released 10th February 2014 - The Valentines Update - the third holiday themed update introduced 4 time sensitive holiday challenges, added Tree of Dates picture, updated Window of Metropolis picture to Japanese House, added 16 new collections and 100 extra quests, added extra talismans available to buy in the shop for crystals
 * Version 1.9 - released 5th May 2014 - The Tavern Update - the first non-holiday themed update that contained time sensitive challenges, added Tavern picture, added 16 new collections and 100 extra quests, added a new tab to inventory, power, for strength items such as weights (removed them from energy tab), updated friends section to indicate when a player has already used all their daily charges for a particular friend while visiting.
 * Version 1.9.5 - released 14th May 2014 - fixed Gem Match glitch introduced by Tavern Update (players getting stuck on a black screen after pressing research, energy points still deducted).
 * Version 1.10 - released 10th September 2014 - The Treasure Island Update - the second non-holiday themed update that contained time sensitive challenges, add Treasure Island picture, added 16 new collections and 100 extra quests, added new talismans, improved the games performance, and fixed the gift crash glitch that was introduced by the Tavern update.
 * Version 1.11 - released 11th October 2014 - The Halloween Update 2014 - the second Halloween update for the game, added Theater and Forest House pictures, added 22 new collections and 130 new quests. Contained new time sensitive challenges allowing players to win the Sphere of Miracles again.
 * Version 1.11.5 - released 27th October 2014 - fixed minor issues with the Halloween Update, however many known problems with the update still unresolved.
 * Version 1.12 - released 9th December 2014 - The Christmas Update 2014 - the second Christmas update for the game, added Excavations and Winter Street pictures, added 16 new collections and 100 new quests. Contained new time sensitive challenges allowing players to win the Pyramid of Wonder desktop award again (or increase its award level if already owned).
 * Version 1.12.5 - released 29th January 2014 - fixed minor issues with the Christmas Update and made small game improvements.
 * Version 1.13 - released 13th April 2015 - The Spring 2015 Update - a regular update that introduced the Flower Shop picture, 70 new quests and 11 new collections.

List of Updates in the Google Play store
The second platform The Secret Society: Hidden Mystery game was released on were android supported mobile devices such as android phones and tablets. Updates for these devices are received via the Google Play Store.

Note: Kindle users have the option of downloading the game through either the Amazon App Store or the Google Play Store. Whichever store you originally download the game from will be the store you get all subsequent updates from.

Below is a list of update released for the Secret Society: Hidden mystery, the date of release on the Google Play app store, and the main changes each update created within the game.
 * Version 1.3 - released 7th June 2013  - The original release of the game on Google Play, equivalent to version 1.3 on iOS.
 * Version 1.6 - released 7th November 2013 - The Halloween Update - the first holiday themed update introduced the first time sensitive holiday challenges, added Witch's Hut, added 20 new collections and a number of new quests. Friends section finally added for android players.
 * Version 1.7 - released 19th December 2013 - The Christmas Update - the second holiday themed update introduced 4 time sensitive holiday challenges, added Christmas Eve picture, added Gem Match mini game (then called Match-3), added 16 new collections and 100 extra quests. Introduced Android unlimited gifting glitch.
 * Version 1.8 - released 13th February 2014 - The Valentines Update - the third holiday themed update introduced 4 time sensitive holiday challenges, added Tree of Dates picture, updated Window of Metropolis picture to Japanese House, added 16 new collections and 100 extra quests, added extra talismans available to buy in the shop for crystals. Removed Android unlimited gifting glitch.
 * Version 1.8.5 - released 6th March 2014 - fixed bugs in 1.8 update
 * Version 1.9 - released 18th June 2014 - The Tavern Update - the first non-holiday themed update that contained time sensitive challenges, added Tavern picture, added 16 new collections and 100 extra quests, added a new tab to inventory, power, for strength items such as weights (removed them from energy tab), updated friends section to indicate when a player has already used all their daily charges for a particular friend while visiting.
 * Version 1.10 - released 19th September 2014 - The Treasure Island Update - the second non-holiday themed update that contained time sensitive challenges, add Treasure Island picture, added 16 new collections and 100 extra quests, added new talismans, and improved the games performance.
 * Version 1.11 - released 24th October 2014 - The Halloween Update 2014 - the second Halloween update for the game, added Theater and Forest House pictures, added 22 new collections and 130 new quests. Contained new time sensitive challenges allowing players to win the Sphere of Miracles again.
 * Version 1.12 - released 17th December 2014 - The Christmas Update 2014 - the second Christmas update for the game, added Excavations and Winter Street pictures, added 16 new collections and 100 new quests. Contained new time sensitive challenges allowing players to win the Pyramid of Wonder desktop award again (or increase its award level if already owned).
 * Version 1.13 - released 30th April 2015 - The Spring 2015 Update - a regular update that introduced the Flower Shop picture, 70 new quests and 11 new collections.

List of Updates in the Amazon Appstore
The third platform The Secret Society: Hidden Mystery game was released on were kindle devices. Updates for these devices are received via the Amazon Appstore.

Note: Kindle users have the option of downloading the game through either the Amazon Appstore or the Google Play Store. Whichever store you originally download the game from will be the store you get all subsequent updates from. Typically, new updates are released through the Google Play Store before the Amazon Appstore, but if you originally downloaded the game through the Amazon Appstore you will not be able to download the update until it is released in that store. The only way to get the update quicker is to delete the game and download a new version of the game from the Google Play Store instead. This would result in loosing all your game progress if you do not have access to a back-up of your player profile so is not advised.

Below is a(n incomplete) list of update released for the Secret Society: Hidden mystery, the date of release on the Amazon Appstore, and the main changes each update created within the game.


 * Version 1.8 - released 25th February 2014 - The Valentines Update - the third holiday themed update introduced 4 time sensitive holiday challenges, added Tree of Dates picture, updated Window of Metropolis picture to Japanese House, added 16 new collections and 100 extra quests, added extra talismans available to buy in the shop for crystals. Removed Android unlimited gifting glitch.
 * Version 1.9 - released 11th July 2014 - The Tavern Update - the first non-holiday themed update that contained time sensitive challenges, added Tavern picture, added 16 new collections and 100 extra quests, added a new tab to inventory, power, for strength items such as weights (removed them from energy tab), updated friends section to indicate when a player has already used all their daily charges for a particular friend while visiting.
 * Version 1.9.5 - released 17th July 2014 - Fixed the game crashing on the splash screen caused by the original Tavern Update
 * Version 1.11 - released 29th October 2014 - The Halloween Update 2014 - added Treasure Island, Theater and Forest House pictures, added 38 new collections and 230 new quests. Contained new time sensitive challenges allowing players to win the Sphere of Miracles. This update contained the content of both the Treasure Island update (minus the time sensitive challenges) and the Halloween update.
 * Version 1.12 - released 13th December 2014 - The Christmas Update 2014 - the second Christmas update for the game, added Excavations and Winter Street pictures, added 16 new collections and 100 new quests. Contained new time sensitive challenges allowing players to win the Pyramid of Wonder desktop award again (or increase its award level if already owned).
 * Version 1.13 - released 2nd May 2015 - The Spring 2015 Update - a regular update that introduced the Flower Shop picture, 70 new quests and 11 new collections.

List of Updates in the Mac Appstore
The fourth platform The Secret Society: Hidden Mystery game was released on were Mac computers. Updates for these devices are received via the Mac Appstore.

Note: This section concerns the version of the game released for Mac computers released through the Mac Appstore, not Mac iOS mobile devices released through the Apple Appstore.

Below is a list of update released for the Secret Society: Hidden mystery, the date of release on the Mac Appstore, and the main changes each update created within the game.
 * Version 1.8 - released 11th June 2014 - The Valentines Update - the original release of the game on Mac computers is the version of the game found in the Valentines Update for devices that have had the game for longer. This version of the games gifting system is incompatible with devices using a later version of the game (versions 1.9 or higher), resulting in all gifts sent from players on those devices to a Mac computer player being converted to coins. However, all gifts sent out by the Mac computer player is received normally by players on later updates. This will only be fixed when an update is released for Mac computers.
 * Version 1.9 - released 10th September 2014 - The Tavern Update - the first non-holiday themed update that contained time sensitive challenges, added Tavern picture, added 16 new collections and 100 extra quests, added a new tab to inventory, power, for strength items such as weights (removed them from energy tab), updated friends section to indicate when a player has already used all their daily charges for a particular friend while visiting.
 * Version 1.12 - released 11th February 2015 - The Christmas Update 2014 - the first Christmas update released for this platform, added Excavations and Winter Street pictures, added 16 new collections and 100 new quests. This version of the Christmas Update did not contain the update's time sensitive challenges as it was released long after the original update timer expired, however it did contain the wishlist glitch (introduced by the Halloween2014 Update) fix for Mac players.
 * Version 1.12.5 - released 25th February 2015 - fixed minor issues with the Christmas Update and made small game improvements.

List of Updates in the Windows Appstore
The fifth platform to get The Secret Society: Hidden Mystery game are windows computers. Updates for these devices are received via the Windows Appstore.

Below is a list of update released for the Secret Society: Hidden mystery, the date of release on the Windows Appstore, and the main changes each update created within the game.
 * Version 1.9 - released 8th September 2014 - The Tavern Update - the original release of the game on Windows computers is the version of the game found in the Tavern Update for devices that have had the game for longer.
 * Version 1.11 - released 4th November 2014 - The Halloween Update 2014 - added Treasure Island, Theater and Forest House pictures, added 38 new collections and 230 new quests. Contained new time sensitive challenges allowing players to win the Sphere of Miracles. This update contained the content of both the Treasure Island update (minus the time sensitive challenges) and the Halloween update.
 * Version 1.12 - released 11th February 2015 - The Christmas Update 2014 - the first Christmas update released for this platform, added Excavations and Winter Street pictures, added 16 new collections and 100 new quests. This version of the Christmas Update did not contain the update's time sensitive challenges as it was released long after the original update timer expired, however it did contain the wishlist glitch (introduced by the Halloween2014 Update) fix for Windows players.
 * Version 1.13 - released 5th May 2015 - The Spring 2015 Update - a regular update that introduced the Flower Shop picture, 70 new quests and 11 new collections.

List of Updates in the Facebook App Store
The most recent platform to get The Secret Society: Hidden Mystery game is Facebook. Updates for these devices are implemented directly within Facebook.
 * Version 1.1 - released 7th August 2014 - The original release of the game on Facebook is the version of the game found in the Treasure Island Update for devices that have had the game for longer.
 * Version 1.2 - released 19th October 2014 - The Halloween Update 2014 - added Theater and Forest House, added 16 new collections and 100 new quests. Contained new time sensitive challenges allowing players to win the Witch's Talisman artefact.
 * Version 1.3 - released 17th November 2014 - Excavations - added Excavations picture, added 10 new collections and 50 new quests.
 * Version 1.4 - released 8th December 2014 - The Christmas Update 2014 - the first Christmas update for this platform, added Winter Street picture, added 6 new collections and 50 new quests. Contained new time sensitive challenges allowing players to win the Pyramid of Wonder desktop award and also an extra Facebook only Santa's Sleigh challenge using the Friends visiting interface.
 * Version 1.5 - released 8th February 2015 - The Valentines Update 2015 - the first Valentines update for this platform, added 30 new quests and a number of new collections. Contained new time sensitive challenges allowing players to give their friends Valentines cards (by charging their friends Valentines boxes while visiting them)
 * Version 1.5.5 - released 23rd March 2015 - Technical update to fix bugs and improve game performance.
 * Version 1.6 - released 16th April 2015 - a regular update that introduced the Flower Shop picture, 70 new quests and 11 new collections.

Overall Release Times
In general, there is no standard amount of time between updates that add extra game play to the game. Depending on the platform, there have been instances of less than 30 days between updates and over 160 days.

Below is a summary graph of the time gap between updates for the three main platforms for the game (iOS, android and kindle mobile devices). Mac and PC computers are left out since there has been so few updates for those platforms, and the standalone Facebook version of the game has been left out since it is a completely independent build of the game that has its own update history. There have been instances were an update has been released for one platform and not the others, for example iOS and android devices received a 1.9, 1.10, and 1.11 update, whereas kindle devices never received the the 1.10 (Treasure Island) update. In these cases the individual time gaps between each update are listed for the devices that received all updates but also a total time is listed for better comparison with the platform that did not receive the update e.g. for iOS and Android time gaps 1.9 - 1.10 and 1.10-1.11 are listed, but so is the total time 1.9-1.11 for comparison with Kindle devices which did not receive 1.10. The amount of time between the release of one content update and the next varies both across and within platforms. This is in part due to the trend of creating 'themed' updates which are directed at certain holiday events. Since the updates are targeted at certain holiday periods, they are released during those holiday periods so the time gap between updates is determined more by the time gap between holiday periods than other factors. For example, Christmas and Halloween are relatively close together, and so there is a short time period between the Halloween updates (versions 1.6 and 1.11) and the Christmas updates (versions 1.7 and 1.12) compared to between other updates during the year.

But even updates released between holidays, that do not have a holiday theme, do not appear to have a set time frame for release. The variability between the release of these normal updates is probably related to problems in the game (bug fixing taking longer than expected) or complications with the release process (as the updates get reviewed by the Appstores before release). Caution should be used when looking at old update release times to predict new updates since there are so many external factors to take into account.

In general, the average wait between updates for iOS devices is 62 days (roughly 2 months), the average wait between updates for Android devices is 85 days (nearly 3 months), and the average wait between updates for Kindle devices is 110 days (nearly 4 months, although much less data exists for Kindle release dates). The longest wait between updates for iOS devices was 128 days between the Tavern update (version 1.9) and the Treasure Island Update (version 1.10). The longest wait between updates for Android devices was 125 days between the 2014 Valentines update (version 1.8) and the Tavern update (version 1.9). And the longest wait between updates for Kindle devices was 142 days between the Tavern update (version 1.9) and the Halloween2014 update (version 1.11), as the platform did not receive the intermediate 1.10 update. In general, it appears that updates are released quicker during the winter than during the spring/summer, but it should be noted that just because a certain update was released at a particular date one year does not mean that there will be an update around that same date the following year, as beside the Christmas and Halloween updates there have not been other repeat update themes. New updates are typically released on iOS devices first, followed by Android devices then Kindle devices. Windows and Mac updates are erratic but tend to come after Kindle releases.

Android updates are released (on average) 14 days after the same update is released on iOS. The longest wait for an update to be released on Android devices after it had been released on iOS was 44 days for the Tavern update (version 1.9). Excluding the anomalous Tavern update, the average wait between the release of an update on iOS and Android devices is only 9 days.

Kindle updates are released (on average) 25 days after the same update is released on iOS. The longest wait for an update to be released on Kindle devices after it had been released on iOS was 67 days for the Tavern update (version 1.9). Excluding the anomalous Tavern update, the average wait between the release of an update on iOS and Kindle devices is only 14 days.

There have been fewer updates released on Windows and Mac computers, as they are relatively new platforms for the game, so less can be said about their update trends. Based on the few updates that are available, Windows updates are released (on average) 24 days after the same update is released on iOS and Mac updates are released (on average) 78 days after the same update is released on iOS (when taking into account that the Mac version of the game was not released until after the 1.9 update was released on iOS. The average would be 96 days otherwise).

Holiday Challenges
Holiday updates may have their own set of challenges that include quests designed to combine new collections added during the Holiday update into special artifacts. Holiday quests usually have special rewards that are only obtainable by completing the holiday quests in a set time period.

Halloween Holiday Event 2013
The Halloween holiday event had 3 main challenges:
 * Complete 24 holiday quests to win Halloween Avatar
 * Combine the 5 Halloween collections to create Witch's Talisman artifact
 * Reach Academician level on Witch's Hut to win Sphere of Miracles

Christmas Holiday Event
The Christmas holiday event had 3 main challenges:
 * Reach Academician level in Gem Match to unlock the Pyramid
 * Complete 30 holiday quests to win holiday talisman and combine the 5 Christmas collections to create the Santa Amulet
 * Reach Academician level on Christmas Eve to win Christmas Avatar

Valentines Holiday Event
The Valentines holiday event has 3 main challenges:
 * Complete 30 holiday quests to win holiday talisman and combine the 5 Valentines collections to create the Valentines Amulet
 * Reach Academician level on Trees on Dates to win Valentines Avatar
 * Receive 400 Valentine's cards from friends to open the Valentines Box

Halloween Holiday Event 2014
The Halloween holiday event had 3 main challenges:
 * Complete 30 holiday quests to open the Halloween Chest
 * Combine the 5 Halloween collections to create Witch's Talisman artifact and win a new Halloween avatar
 * Reach Academician level on Forest House to unlock the Sphere of Miracles or upgrade your current Sphere of Miracles to level 2.

Christmas Holiday Event 2014
The Christmas holiday event had 3-4 main challenges:
 * Complete 30 holiday quests to obtain the updated Amulet of Santa artefact
 * Reach Academician level on Winter Street to unlock the a new unique game avatar.
 * Collect 500 Snowflakes by winning games of Gem Match to unlock the Pyramid of Wonder or upgrade your current Pyramid of Wonder to level 2.
 * Facebook only: Visit friends to drop gifts in their Santa's Sleigh. Having your own Sleigh filled by friends will give rewards.

Special Challenges Updates
The Tavern Update was the first non holiday themed update that still introduced time sensitive challenges.

Tavern Update
The Tavern Update had 2 main challenges: Once these two challenges are completed, the Order's Chest can be opened to receive its contents as rewards.
 * Complete 20 quests from Christy to gain the magical key
 * Gather 80 new items in the game (10 each of 8 new items added) to restore the damaged lock on the Order's Chest

Additionally, a second 'silver badges' challenge was added to the game. This time players must find 400 silver badges, hidden within the pictures (not as rewards for successful investigations) to open a new box on the left hand side of their Home Desktop. Opening the box unlocks the story of the creation of the order of seekers.

Treasure Island Update
The Treasure Island Update was the second non holiday themed update that introduced time sensitive challenges. The Treasure Island Update had one challenge: Once this challenge was complete, the player automatically received a number of rewards including a new game avatar, 2 chests, 3 talismans, and an energy item.
 * Collect 400 butterflies (80 each of 5 different coloured butterflies) using the new "handheld butterfly net" talisman.

Related

 * SS Home
 * List of Pictures
 * List of Puzzles
 * Special Items
 * Halloween Update
 * Christmas Update
 * Valentines Update
 * Tavern Update
 * Treasure Island Update
 * Halloween Update 2014
 * Christmas Update 2014
 * Valentines Update 2015
 * Spring Update 2015
 * Quests
 * Collections
 * Awards