Core Keeper News

We’ve got some exciting news, Explorers! We’d like to invite you to join us in testing dedicated servers for Core Keeper, as this is something the community has been asking for since we launched.

Previously, one player was required to act as the world host when playing in multiplayer, meaning that the world would not be accessible unless the host was online. However, many of you expressed a desire for dedicated servers to host multiplayer worlds that players could access at any point, and we got to work on this almost right away.

From now, you’ll be able to opt into testing multiplayer using dedicated servers in Core Keeper. This is something you will need to opt into, and we have instructions on how to do this below. Before you do this, however, we’d strongly recommend backing up your save files.

You can do this by following the file path below, making a copy of your save files, and saving them elsewhere on your PC (we recommend saving them to your desktop or “Documents” folder for now).

Save File Location: C:\Users\<User>\AppData\LocalLow\Pugstorm\Core Keeper\Steam\<Your Steam ID>

[h2]How to Play Using Dedicated Servers:[/h2]

To opt into dedicated server testing, please follow the instructions below. These instructions are exclusive to the testing branch of the game, and we will have a simpler method of opting in to dedicated servers following the testing period. Once again, we’d like to remind you to back up your save files before you do this, and we have provided instructions on how to do this in the paragraph above.

1. If you’re not running the latest version of Core Keeper, please update the game now.
2. Visit your steam library and right click Core Keeper.
3. Select “Properties” and then click “Betas”
4. Under “select the beta you wish to opt into”, simply select “experimental”
5. The game should update in Steam, and you will now be playing on the experimental testing branch.
6. Please visit your Steam library and right click Core Keeper once more.
7. Navigate to the “Manage” menu and then click “Browse Local Files”
8. This will open your computer’s file explorer, please look for a file called “Launch.bat” here. If you are running the game on Linux, this file will be called “launch.sh”
9. Run the game using the “Launch.bat” (“launch.sh” on Linux) file any time you would like to play using dedicated servers.
10. You will still need to provide a game ID to all the users you want to play with so that they can access the multiplayer world. This will be displayed in the window that opens after running the Launch.bat (or launch.sh) file.
11. The ports used by the server are, by default, UDP ports 27015-27016. To be able to access the server from outside the local network, these ports need to be open. This can be achieved by configuring your router to forward the ports to the machine running the server. Please note that your router will need a public IP from your ISP.

Please note that, if you run the game as usual using Steam or from a shortcut on your PC, it will default to player-hosted multiplayer. You must run the game following the instructions above each time you wish to play multiplayer using dedicated servers.

You should also be aware that, when playing in multiplayer, all the players must be using the same branch in order to connect. If you are using the “experimental” branch, but another player is on the default branch, they will not be able to join your world.

[h3]Dedicated server testing will only be running for a period of roughly two weeks (end date TBC), so it is very important that you provide as much feedback as possible during this window.[/h3]

[h2]How to Opt Out of Testing:[/h2]

1. Right click Core Keeper in your Steam library and select "Properties"
2. Go to “Betas”
3. Under “select the beta you wish to opt into”, select “none”
4. The game should then update to the default version of Core Keeper.
5. Please run the game as you normally would in order to play.

[h2]Your Feedback Matters![/h2]

Your feedback has been super helpful throughout Early Access, and we will certainly be needing it to help us test dedicated server functionality going forward! This is a brand-new, experimental branch of the game, so there is a chance you could encounter some unknown bugs. This is why we strongly recommend backing up your save files before testing.

Your bug reports will help us fine tune the dedicated server functionality to ensure the best possible experience for players and they will give us a much better idea of when we might be able to officially launch dedicated servers going forward.

Bug reports can be submitted via our usual bug-report form. Please make sure you select the appropriate game version when submitting your feedback using the bug-report form.

You’re also welcome to provide additional feedback in the relevant channels on the official Core Keeper Discord server.

[h2]Repair Mechanic, Reinforcements, and More[/h2]

We’ve been listening to your feedback on the Steam forums, Twitter, and Discord, and we’ve made modifications to the repair mechanics that we would love to get your feedback on before taking to the main branch. We’ve also added a new item reinforcement mechanic to the salvage and repair station that, when used, will improve the stats and the durability of items. Make sure you check out our patch notes for the full details of our latest update.

We hope you have a great time testing the dedicated servers, and we can’t wait to hear your thoughts!

[h2]General[/h2]

• Dedicated servers are now available.
  
• The repair system has been reverted back to using scrap parts as a result of working together with and gathering feedback from our community. The costs of scrap parts have been rebalanced so higher tier items cost more scrap parts. Scrap parts can be gained through salvaging again. The current materials gained from salvaging are still gained as well. The Bearded Merchant now also sells scrap parts instead of wood.
  
• A reinforcement mechanic has been added that allows players to extend the durability of their items as well as giving the item a small stat boost. Reinforcing an item costs some of the item's crafting materials.
  
• Added scrap parts that can drop from destructibles and some enemies.
  
• Higher tier hoes now cover a larger area. This works for both tilling and gathering plants in larger areas.
  
• Added a digging damage stat to shovels that impacts how many uses it takes to dig up ground. Health of ground has been rebalanced around the digging damage of shovels so that higher tier shovels are more effective against lower tier ground and lower tier shovels are less effective against higher tier ground.
  
• Added a Scarlet Hoe that can be crafted in the Scarlet Workbench.
  
• Added a Scarlet Shovel that can be crafted in the Scarlet Workbench.
  
• Moved the Scarlet Sword to be crafted in the Scarlet Anvil instead of the Scarlet Workbench.
  
• Large Watering Can now covers 2x2 tiles. More watering options coming later!
  
• Fishing rods no longer have durability.
  
• The chance to gain kelp from fishing has been reduced, and we’ve added resources such as ores, wood, fibre and scrap parts that can be gained from fishing.

[h2]Balancing Improvements[/h2]

• Slightly increased damage of Rune Song.
  
• Increased the max health of bosses.
  
• Azeos enrages at a bit higher health percentage.
  

[h2]Quality-of-Life[/h2]

• Other players can be made server admins from the pause menu.
  
• Players can be banned by admins from the pause menu.
  
• Added a button beside the Game ID for admins to regenerate the Game ID.
  

[h2]BUG FIXES[/h2]

• Fixed an issue with water visuals glitching sometimes.
  
• Fixed an issue where the second option in pop ups would sometimes not become highlighted when selected.
  
• Other players no longer play a “take damage” effect when their max health is reduced.
  
• Player health bar no longer blinks when other players max health is reduced.
  
• Fixed placement and digging being blocked by self for a small period after moving away.
  
• Fixed enemies becoming invisible sometimes instead of dying.
  
• Fixed Obsidian Walls popping up sometimes after digging a pit.
  
• Fixed double graves if exiting while dying.
  
• Fixed Recall Idol being able to consume the wrong item if switching equipped item right before teleport.
  

[h2]OTHER[/h2]

• Decreased network bandwidth usage of Azeos’ beams.
  

Exploring the underground can be very rewarding. From uncovering ancient relics or long-forgotten secrets to discovering a massive vein of Scarlet Ore, there are lots of reasons you’ll want to comb through every inch of the map. Of course, the underground is not without its dangers.

You’ll definitely want to keep an eye out for the monsters we’ve mentioned so far in our Creature Compendium (part one and part two!), but there are also some bigger threats you’ll need to watch out for in the form of our many bosses! Read on for information that might just save your life when you find yourself up against…



What is it? A giant Slime!
Where is it? You’ll find this vibrant orange creature somewhere in the Dirt Biome.
Fun Fact: We came up with the design for Glurch when we were considering what would happen if lots of our Orange Slimes fused together.

[h3]About Glurch[/h3]

One of the first enemies we added into the game were the Slimes, so it made a lot of sense that one of the first bosses you encounter in the game would be a slime boss! You’ll know you’re getting close to Glurch because you’ll see the screen shaking and hear the sounds of him jumping as you approach.

Like most of our bosses, Glurch is pretty big, and he can be a bit of a challenge at first. We recommend wearing some form of armour and bringing along some cooked food for health and speed buffs if possible. Glurch attacks by jumping onto and crushing the player, so you should keep an eye on his attack pattern and time your strikes in between jumps.





What is it? A huge insect!
Where is it? Always on the move, you’ll find Ghorm following a circuit that runs through the Dirt Biome and the Clay Caves.
Fun Fact: Ghorm was inspired by the insects from the Studio Ghibli Film Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind.

[h3]About Ghorm[/h3]

You’ll spot lots of larva creatures in the Clay Caves, but Ghorm is by far the largest larva in Core Keeper. Ghorm travels through the underground with little regard for the structures or creatures in its path. Despite its destructive tendencies, Ghorm is actually passive, only attacking if provoked.

Defeating this behemoth can be a bit tricky – almost like a puzzle – since you need to keep it within range of your attacks. There are a couple of ways you can do this, from setting traps and bombs all the way to buffing yourself so that you can keep up. Make sure you’re prepared when you do decide to pick a fight, as Ghorm is a formidable enemy who will chase you for quite some time once engaged in combat.





What is it? We’re not entirely sure, but it keeps having babies!
Where is it? The Hive Mother is lurking deep within the Clay Caves.
Fun Fact: The Hive Mother is entirely static, meaning that it cannot move across the map.

[h3]About The Hive Mother:[/h3]

The Hive Mother is a very unique organism that could quite possibly be the source of all life in the Clay Caves. This creature is rooted to the ground and seems to spend all of its time spawning larva, which will protect the Hive Mother with their lives. Like Ghorm, the Hive Mother will not attack unless provoked, but it's important to make sure you’re prepared for this boss battle!

Whilst The Hive Mother cannot move, it boasts a deadly ranged attack, spewing acid slime targeted directly at any attackers. You won’t just be dealing with The Hive Mother in this battle, as it will continue to spawn babies that will attack you continuously for the duration of the fight.
Keep your wits about you, or you might just find yourself overwhelmed as the chamber you are in fills with acid and enemies! We recommend high-level armour, lots of healing potions, and possibly even taking on this boss as part of a team if you can.



That’s it for part one of our boss guide. Have you come face-to-face with any of the monsters in this Steam post, and if so, which did you find the most challenging to defeat?

Want a little support when taking on our GIANT bosses? We don’t blame you! Head on over to the Core Keeper Discord server to meet your fellow Explorers and team up in up to 8-player multiplayer.

The Great Egg Hunt is now officially over! We want to say a big thank you to everyone who took part. It’s been very exciting getting to celebrate our first-ever seasonal event with you all, and we hope you had fun egg hunting across Core Keeper’s many biomes.

Whether you came across an egg inside a destructible like a wooden crate or you found one after you defeated an enemy, there were four types of egg in total that you needed to craft The Golden Egg!

Our initial plan was for the smaller Easter Eggs to disappear from the game at the end of the event, with only The Golden Egg remaining as a permanent item. However, we had lots of messages from the community expressing that they'd like to keep the small Easter Eggs as decorative items. So, while new Easter Eggs will not spawn after the event has ended, we've decided to let you keep any of the smaller eggs that you've already found!

Of course, there’s still the question of the mysterious, alternative use for The Golden Egg. We spotted lots of Explorers on Twitter and Discord who have uncovered its secrets - have you figured it out yet?

We’re still working very hard on the Sunken Sea Biome and ongoing patches/hotfixes for Core Keeper, and we can’t wait to bring you even more content in the future. What kind of seasonal event would you like to see next? Let us know on the official Core Keeper Discord!