So when Mistlands comes out I wanna actually have access to the new content on a pre-existing world. However, I have already explored several regions where I have entered this biome.
Will the update "refresh" these regions when it comes out? Or do I have to explore new regions to generate the new content?
Alternatively, is there a console command that re-generates biomes within the game world? Preferably without destroying/engulfing what I have built, but I guess that might be impossible.

Well in all honesty and my experience it is going to likely depend on how the game generates the world. If it generates the entire map at once then no you would need to start over to get a new biome. If it generates as you explore then you would simply have to just explore a new area.
Most likely though if you try to play an old save over a map change you are looking for a buggy mess. Best place to really ask this question is the Discord. That is where modders and server owners are at. They have a better understanding of the game code and can really answer your questions.

Originally posted by bacon:

id like a statement from the devs as to whether there will be new content trickled down into other biomes. like if they add a new mechanic, will it be present in some form in the lower biomes as well as the new one. it seems they are sticking with the linear biome design, and so it would be nice, if starting a new world, if the update brought some change. if the change doesnt start until biome #6, i think that would be a little frustrating after this long of a wait.

There's a paragraph in the Midsummer blog:

"And speaking of the Mistlands! For the teasers this week, we thought we’d share something that’s also a bit summer themed. We don’t want the Mistlands update to only be about the Mistlands – we also want there to be some new content in the earlier gameplay leading up to the new biome. A significant such addition will be an upgrade to the fish; there will be new types, they’ll come in different sizes, and you’ll be able to mount your most impressive catches on item stands! While they’re still swimming the fish will also jump above the surface, to give it all an even more atmospheric touch."
https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/892970/view/6128850732742902908

I haven't followed content discussions much on their socials, but you could also check out their Twitter accounts and / or join the Discord to ask questions.

Worst case scenario is take your high level character to a new world. Most of progression is gear and food, which fits on your character. So you can hit the ground running and boat away to the new zones fairly quickly.

Originally posted by NF_Crenos:

Refresh world biomes?

So when Mistlands comes out I wanna actually have access to the new content on a pre-existing world. However, I have already explored several regions where I have entered this biome.
Will the update "refresh" these regions when it comes out? Or do I have to explore new regions to generate the new content?
Alternatively, is there a console command that re-generates biomes within the game world? Preferably without destroying/engulfing what I have built, but I guess that might be impossible.

there is no console command that can help you with re-generating explored biomes. There is a mod for that. Not sure which but i know there is one as it was discussed many times here and in discord groups.
Maybe you have explored several regions on foot, but you have explored much more while sailing around it. As Nefrarya said: 300-500 meters from you is considered explored and will not generate any new content there. I can see a lot of mess with mistlands due to significant difference in landscape between original mistlands and new mistlands we could see from pictures. I cannot even imagine the transition from smooth to rocky landscape.

Are we even looking to see Mistlands in 2022?

Latest info we have is:
"Mistlands is set to release on the Public Test Branch in 2022. Depending on how many issues and bugs are reported, the release on the Stable Branch might be later, this remains to be seen."

Don't worry about it since the mistland won't come out before a year or two

Yes, just like all the other biome updates you will need to restart your world seed to have it "properly" be done. If you don't, anywhere that's loaded in will not get changed/updated.

The dev said we shouldn't need to make a new world.

However, try to make sure you stayed far away from any current mythlands zones because they will update the same way that Frost Caves did or the Tar pits... you need to be in a zone that has not been gone into.

Here is the answer from the pinned FAQ post:

Will new content be added to my world I currently are playing on?

New content such as tar pits, mountain caves and Mistlands in the future will not appear in areas that have been already generated. Areas are generated 300-500 meters from a player's location. "Exploremap" and "resetmap" has no effect.

I’ve read/heard somewhere that, even though it’s not necessary to start a new world, devs encourage players to do it to fully experience the new content.
It was the same with some of previous updates (e.g. abominations, frost caves). They loaded into your old world, but fighting them with fully upgraded endgame armor and weapons and high skill levels was not fun at all. At least for me. My primary weapon skill at 90 and jumping and running at level 100 would be really helpful in mistlands, but it feels like cheating to me. So i will definitely start a new world with a new character.

As a practical matter, be prepared to move into a new world with your old characters and resources. It'll likely not be necessary, but if it is, thinking on how you would go about it ahead of time will make it easier.

There's also the possibility of keeping your old world and treating new ones as "raiding expeditions".

So far, it has been seamlessly possible to bring back new items/resources, and skills & new recipes carry over with your character and their inventory. Old workstations didn't have a problem dealing with the new stuff. Fingers crossed it will stay that way.

id like a statement from the devs as to whether there will be new content trickled down into other biomes. like if they add a new mechanic, will it be present in some form in the lower biomes as well as the new one. it seems they are sticking with the linear biome design, and so it would be nice, if starting a new world, if the update brought some change. if the change doesnt start until biome #6, i think that would be a little frustrating after this long of a wait.

Originally posted by NF_Crenos:

Refresh world biomes?

So when Mistlands comes out I wanna actually have access to the new content on a pre-existing world. However, I have already explored several regions where I have entered this biome.
Will the update "refresh" these regions when it comes out? Or do I have to explore new regions to generate the new content?
Alternatively, is there a console command that re-generates biomes within the game world? Preferably without destroying/engulfing what I have built, but I guess that might be impossible.

there is no console command that can help you with re-generating explored biomes. There is a mod for that. Not sure which but i know there is one as it was discussed many times here and in discord groups.
Maybe you have explored several regions on foot, but you have explored much more while sailing around it. As Nefrarya said: 300-500 meters from you is considered explored and will not generate any new content there. I can see a lot of mess with mistlands due to significant difference in landscape between original mistlands and new mistlands we could see from pictures. I cannot even imagine the transition from smooth to rocky landscape.

Are we even looking to see Mistlands in 2022?

Latest info we have is:
"Mistlands is set to release on the Public Test Branch in 2022. Depending on how many issues and bugs are reported, the release on the Stable Branch might be later, this remains to be seen."

Don't worry about it since the mistland won't come out before a year or two

id like a statement from the devs as to whether there will be new content trickled down into other biomes. like if they add a new mechanic, will it be present in some form in the lower biomes as well as the new one. it seems they are sticking with the linear biome design, and so it would be nice, if starting a new world, if the update brought some change. if the change doesnt start until biome #6, i think that would be a little frustrating after this long of a wait.

So when Mistlands comes out I wanna actually have access to the new content on a pre-existing world. However, I have already explored several regions where I have entered this biome.
Will the update "refresh" these regions when it comes out? Or do I have to explore new regions to generate the new content?
Alternatively, is there a console command that re-generates biomes within the game world? Preferably without destroying/engulfing what I have built, but I guess that might be impossible.

Well in all honesty and my experience it is going to likely depend on how the game generates the world. If it generates the entire map at once then no you would need to start over to get a new biome. If it generates as you explore then you would simply have to just explore a new area.
Most likely though if you try to play an old save over a map change you are looking for a buggy mess. Best place to really ask this question is the Discord. That is where modders and server owners are at. They have a better understanding of the game code and can really answer your questions.

Originally posted by bacon:

id like a statement from the devs as to whether there will be new content trickled down into other biomes. like if they add a new mechanic, will it be present in some form in the lower biomes as well as the new one. it seems they are sticking with the linear biome design, and so it would be nice, if starting a new world, if the update brought some change. if the change doesnt start until biome #6, i think that would be a little frustrating after this long of a wait.

There's a paragraph in the Midsummer blog:

"And speaking of the Mistlands! For the teasers this week, we thought we’d share something that’s also a bit summer themed. We don’t want the Mistlands update to only be about the Mistlands – we also want there to be some new content in the earlier gameplay leading up to the new biome. A significant such addition will be an upgrade to the fish; there will be new types, they’ll come in different sizes, and you’ll be able to mount your most impressive catches on item stands! While they’re still swimming the fish will also jump above the surface, to give it all an even more atmospheric touch."
https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/892970/view/6128850732742902908

I haven't followed content discussions much on their socials, but you could also check out their Twitter accounts and / or join the Discord to ask questions.

Worst case scenario is take your high level character to a new world. Most of progression is gear and food, which fits on your character. So you can hit the ground running and boat away to the new zones fairly quickly.

I’ve read/heard somewhere that, even though it’s not necessary to start a new world, devs encourage players to do it to fully experience the new content.
It was the same with some of previous updates (e.g. abominations, frost caves). They loaded into your old world, but fighting them with fully upgraded endgame armor and weapons and high skill levels was not fun at all. At least for me. My primary weapon skill at 90 and jumping and running at level 100 would be really helpful in mistlands, but it feels like cheating to me. So i will definitely start a new world with a new character.

As a practical matter, be prepared to move into a new world with your old characters and resources. It'll likely not be necessary, but if it is, thinking on how you would go about it ahead of time will make it easier.

There's also the possibility of keeping your old world and treating new ones as "raiding expeditions".

So far, it has been seamlessly possible to bring back new items/resources, and skills & new recipes carry over with your character and their inventory. Old workstations didn't have a problem dealing with the new stuff. Fingers crossed it will stay that way.

Here is the answer from the pinned FAQ post:

Will new content be added to my world I currently are playing on?

New content such as tar pits, mountain caves and Mistlands in the future will not appear in areas that have been already generated. Areas are generated 300-500 meters from a player's location. "Exploremap" and "resetmap" has no effect.

Yes, just like all the other biome updates you will need to restart your world seed to have it "properly" be done. If you don't, anywhere that's loaded in will not get changed/updated.

The dev said we shouldn't need to make a new world.

However, try to make sure you stayed far away from any current mythlands zones because they will update the same way that Frost Caves did or the Tar pits... you need to be in a zone that has not been gone into.