There’s no better time to set off on your expedition into the underground, as we’re giving everybody the chance to try out Core Keeper for free with our Free Weekend! As if that wasn’t exciting enough, we’re also giving all players the opportunity to get a head start with some of Core Keeper’s brand new 1.0 content ahead of the 1.0 update next week!
Okay, you got us, our Free Weekend is actually starting on a weekday, but we’ve checked in with the folks at Steam, and they don’t mind 😉. From Thursday, August 22nd, to Monday, August 26th, you can play Core Keeper for free in a Classic World OR start your 1.0 worlds early to enjoy a whole host of new content including custom world generation, new enemies, equipment, armour, and more - all for free!
You’ll be able to play up to a certain milestone in any 1.0 Worlds created during the Free Weekend (more on this later), with the full content unlocking for anybody who owns the game on our official launch date of August 27th. We know how much you’ve been looking forward to the full game and we’ve been overwhelmed with the support you’ve shown on Discord, X, and in the Steam Discussions during development, which is why we’re so thrilled to be able to offer you this early look at 1.0 ahead of the full launch. Alternatively, If you want to enjoy all of the content currently available in our Early Access version, you can start a Classic World during the free weekend period.
PLEASE NOTE: Classic Worlds will not be compatible with critical 1.0 content following the 1.0 launch on August 27th. A new 1.0 World will be required to experience everything the 1.0 update has to offer our Explorers. We have more information on this below.
Important Information About Core Keeper’s Free Weekend
Core Keeper’s Free Weekend starts at 6pm BST on Thursday, August 22nd and finishes at 6pm BST on Monday, August 26th. For the first time ever, you’ll be able to create a 1.0 World to give you a head start on some of our exciting new 1.0 content, and that will officially carry over as a 1.0 World at launch. If you’d like to, you can also choose to play a Classic World to experience all of the content currently available in Early Access.
1.0 Worlds created during the Free Weekend will include early-game 1.0 content and be playable up to when The Core is activated. From here, players will have to wait until the full launch so that they can progress with the game, but anyone who already owns or purchases the game during the Free Weekend will have the option to continue with their new 1.0 World and discover the full 1.0 experience on August 27th!
We’ve also included the option to play Classic Worlds, which contains all of our Early Access content currently available to players, but it’s important to note that Classic Worlds will not support critical 1.0 content.
If you start a Classic World during the Free Weekend for the full experience of Core Keeper’s current Early Access version, you will be able to continue playing in your Classic World following the 1.0 launch if you purchase the game. However, these worlds will not include support for critical content included in next week’s 1.0 update, including the conclusive chapter to the game’s story.
We have included Classic Worlds as an option for players looking to experience all of Core Keeper’s current Early Access content during the Free Weekend, but we strongly recommend that players start with 1.0 Worlds to be able to continue the story following the launch of 1.0.
What Happens to Early Access Worlds During the Free Weekend and at 1.0?
If you already own the game, your Early Access worlds will function as normal during the Free Weekend, and they will still be playable when Core Keeper launches into 1.0. However, we strongly encourage all players, including existing Early Access players, to start a new 1.0 World during the Free Weekend.
From August 22nd, Early Access worlds will transition to Classic Worlds, and will not include support for critical content included in next week’s 1.0 update, including the conclusive chapter to the game’s story. To experience the full 1.0 content following the launch of the 1.0 update, all players must start new 1.0 Worlds during the Free Weekend or after the 1.0 update has launched on August 27th.
It’s been an amazing two-year journey in Early Access, and we’re so excited for our full 1.0 launch next week. We’re looking forward to welcoming lots of new players to the underground as well as hearing what all you veteran Explorers think of the new content! That’s all from us for now. We hope you’re looking forward to getting a first look at 1.0 during our Free Weekend! Don’t forget to join our Discord to meet the community and discuss all things Core Keeper.