Core Keeper 2026 Roadmap: Road to the Maw
On 13 August 2026 Pugstorm announced Road to the Maw - the next three major content updates for Core Keeper. This page summarises what was actually announced, keeps the confirmed details separate from the things that are still unknown, and covers what each update is likely to mean if you run a dedicated server.
Everything below comes from Pugstorm's own roadmap post and the follow-up community update. Where a date or a feature has not been committed to, this page says so rather than guessing.
What Road to the Maw is
Three interconnected major content updates, numbered 1.3, 1.4 and 1.5.
Pugstorm originally planned this as a single update - in their words, "Core Keeper's crowning glory" - but split it into three once development started, because building up to one release would mean players waited much longer before getting to experience any of it.
They also flag that these three parts might not follow the same "new biome, new boss, new tool tiers" format as previous major updates. The stated goal for the first two is to expand the depth of existing features and systems with new content, improvements and balancing, building towards the reveal in 1.5 of what lies beyond Breaker's Reach.
1.3 - Riders of the Underground
The first stop. Travel and transport is the key focus - "all-new ways to traverse the underground", with the tease "giddy up", and Pugstorm say it brings in some of the features they hinted at during their Reddit AMA.
Confirmed to also include:
- A new sub-biome
- New weapons and more enemy variety
- New pets
- Progression rebalancing
- A new legendary item
- Meaningful improvements to the mage and summoner playstyles, based on community feedback
Timing: "coming later this year" (2026). No date has been given.
1.4 - Trials of the Depths
Described as "experience the game, harder than ever" - built around depth and mastery, aimed at veteran players and thrill seekers who want to push further than the base game asks. Pugstorm's own framing: "Daredevils, we hear you, and we're looking forward to trying to kill you!"
No feature list, no date. Treat anything more specific than the above as speculation.
1.5 - Beyond the Breach
The payoff: "cross into what was sealed away", with an all-new biome revealing what lies beyond Breaker's Reach. Pugstorm describe it as a pivotal moment that the whole journey has been leading up to.
No feature list, no date.
What is NOT on the roadmap
Worth being clear about, because roadmap posts get over-read:
- No release dates for any of the three, beyond 1.3 arriving "later this year".
- Nothing announced beyond 1.5. Pugstorm say they have no concrete plans to announce past Road to the Maw right now, and are explicitly asking the community to tell them if they want more afterwards.
- Bug fixes and stability continue alongside - they state a commitment to keeping the game smooth regardless of the roadmap.
- Minor content updates are planned too. The first one is set to follow 1.3.
- A Steam Workshop beta test is in progress to improve mods and modding.
What this means for a dedicated server
Nothing on the roadmap changes how a server is run today, but three things are worth planning for:
- Each major update means a server update. A Core Keeper client that has updated through Steam expects a server on the same build. Keep auto-update on, or restart the server after a release so your players are not locked out - see server connection troubleshooting if players suddenly cannot join.
- Modded servers should expect breakage. Major updates routinely invalidate mods, and the Workshop beta means the modding surface itself is moving. If you run mods, read dedicated server mods and be ready to pin or drop mods on update day.
- Back up before updating, not after. 1.3 includes progression rebalancing, and 1.5 adds a new biome to existing worlds. Neither is announced as save-breaking, but a backup taken before the update is the only cheap way to find out on your own terms.
If you would rather not babysit any of that, a managed Core Keeper server handles updates and scheduled backups for you.
Frequently asked
When does Core Keeper 1.3 release?
Pugstorm have said "later this year" (2026) and nothing more precise. No date has been committed for 1.3, 1.4 or 1.5.
Is Road to the Maw the end of Core Keeper?
Not stated as such. Pugstorm say 1.5 is designed as a pivotal moment the adventure has been leading up to, that they have no concrete plans to announce beyond it right now, and that they want to keep growing the game with the community. They are actively asking players to say if they want more after Road to the Maw.
Will my world survive these updates?
Nothing has been announced as save-breaking. Core Keeper updates have generally preserved existing worlds, but 1.3 brings progression rebalancing and 1.5 adds a new biome, so take a backup before updating either way.
Will my mods keep working?
Expect them not to, at least briefly. Major content updates routinely break mods, and Pugstorm are separately running a Steam Workshop beta test aimed at improving mods and modding - so the modding surface is changing as well as the game.
Sources
- Pugstorm, "Core Keeper 2026 Roadmap: Road to the Maw!", Steam announcement, 13 August 2026.
- Pugstorm, "Community Update - August 2026", Steam announcement, 31 August 2026.
Related pages
- Core Keeper dedicated server setup
- Core Keeper dedicated server mods
- Server connection troubleshooting
- Boss guide
- Biome exploration map
Note on dates: this page deliberately carries no release dates beyond Pugstorm's own "later this year" for 1.3. If you see a specific 1.3, 1.4 or 1.5 date elsewhere, it is not from Pugstorm.