diff --git a/about/img/eol.png b/about/img/eol.png new file mode 100644 index 000000000..ad9cb36e3 Binary files /dev/null and b/about/img/eol.png differ diff --git a/about/img/partial.png b/about/img/partial.png new file mode 100644 index 000000000..06f8610ab Binary files /dev/null and b/about/img/partial.png differ diff --git a/about/img/supported.png b/about/img/supported.png new file mode 100644 index 000000000..668711c16 Binary files /dev/null and b/about/img/supported.png differ diff --git a/about/img/unstable.png b/about/img/unstable.png new file mode 100644 index 000000000..6815a7332 Binary files /dev/null and b/about/img/unstable.png differ diff --git a/about/index.rst b/about/index.rst index 355c022b6..4ebbb2f51 100644 --- a/about/index.rst +++ b/about/index.rst @@ -8,6 +8,7 @@ About introduction faq docs_changelog + release_policy .. history .. authors diff --git a/about/release_policy.rst b/about/release_policy.rst new file mode 100644 index 000000000..d30a86930 --- /dev/null +++ b/about/release_policy.rst @@ -0,0 +1,84 @@ +.. _doc_release_policy: + +Godot release policy +==================== + +Godot versioning +---------------- + +Godot uses ``major.minor.patch`` version numbering. However, it does not +strictly follow `Semantic Versioning `__. This means that +releases considered "semver-minor" by that standard (such as 3.1 -> 3.2) will +most likely introduce breaking changes. Still, there won't be as many breaking +changes as a "semver-major" version bump such as 3.2 -> 4.0. + +In the interest of stability and usability, patch releases may occasionally +introduce small breaking changes as well. When repackaging Godot projects (e.g. +in a Flatpak), make sure to always use the same patch version as the one used to +initially export the project. + +.. note:: + + The first release in a major/minor release series doesn't end with a + trailing zero. For example, the first release in the 3.2 series is ``3.2``, + not ``3.2.0``. + +Release support timeline +------------------------ + +Godot versions are supported for a certain amount of time. While these durations +are not set in stone, here's a table with the expected level of support +for each Godot version: + ++-------------+-------------------+--------------------------------------------------------------------------+ +| **Version** | **Release date** | **Support level** | ++-------------+-------------------+--------------------------------------------------------------------------+ +| Godot 4.0 | ~2021 (see below) | |unstable| *Current focus of development (unstable).* | ++-------------+-------------------+--------------------------------------------------------------------------+ +| Godot 3.2 | January 2020 | |supported| Backwards-compatible new features (backported from the | +| | | ``master`` branch) as well as bug, security, and platform support fixes. | ++-------------+-------------------+--------------------------------------------------------------------------+ +| Godot 3.1 | March 2019 | |partial| Only critical, security and platform support fixes. | ++-------------+-------------------+--------------------------------------------------------------------------+ +| Godot 3.0 | January 2018 | |partial| Only critical, security and platform support fixes. | ++-------------+-------------------+--------------------------------------------------------------------------+ +| Godot 2.1 | July 2016 | |partial| Only critical, security and platform support fixes. | ++-------------+-------------------+--------------------------------------------------------------------------+ +| Godot 2.0 | February 2016 | |eol| No longer supported. | ++-------------+-------------------+--------------------------------------------------------------------------+ +| Godot 1.1 | May 2015 | |eol| No longer supported. | ++-------------+-------------------+--------------------------------------------------------------------------+ +| Godot 1.0 | December 2014 | |eol| No longer supported. | ++-------------+-------------------+--------------------------------------------------------------------------+ + +.. |supported| image:: img/supported.png +.. |partial| image:: img/partial.png +.. |eol| image:: img/eol.png +.. |unstable| image:: img/unstable.png + +**Legend:** +|supported| Full support - +|partial| Partial support - +|eol| No support (end of life) - +|unstable| Development version + +Pre-release Godot versions aren't intended to be used in production and are +provided on a best-effort basis. + +When is the next release out? +----------------------------- + +While Godot contributors aren't working under any deadlines, there's usually a +major or minor Godot release made available every year. Following this trend, +this means Godot 4.0 will most likely be released in **2021**. + +Patch releases are made available more frequently, typically every 2-6 months +while a release is fully supported. Partially supported releases will only have +new patch releases once an important security or platform support fix has been +merged. + +.. seealso:: + + The `roadmap `__ repository + documents features that have been agreed upon and may be implemented in future + Godot releases.