Iron Gate has announced that Valheim's 1.0 release, scheduled for September, will introduce the Deep North biome and various optimizations. However, the developers have confirmed that the update will not feature the long-requested improvements to the game's oceans. The studio also provided an update on the game's post-release support, stating it is "too soon to say" how long content updates will continue.
While the 1.0 update focuses primarily on the Deep North, Iron Gate stated that "some new content for the rest of Valheim" will be included, though not specifically ocean-related. This decision has reportedly led to disappointment among some players on the game's subreddit, who feel the oceans are a critical element for a game centered around a seafaring civilization.
Regarding future content, the developers were non-committal. In an FAQ, they clarified that while the game will continue to receive bug fixes and quality-of-life improvements, "whether or not there will be more content added to the game in the future" is still uncertain.
The upcoming 1.0 update will include optimizations aimed at improving game performance. Specifically, players can expect a reduction in microstutters when loading new zones, faster saving times, and other minor enhancements. However, the developers cautioned that large player-built structures may not see significant performance improvements from these changes. Iron Gate plans to continue working on smoother performance post-1.0.
Coinciding with the 1.0 release, Valheim's price will increase to $29.99 USD or its regional equivalent. Players who already own the early access version will receive the full release as a free update. For those considering purchasing the game, it is currently available at a 50% discount during the Steam summer sale.