Valheim 1.0 release date: Deep North, platforms and old saves

Valheim 1.0 released on September 9, 2026, ending Early Access and adding the Deep North biome. The full release is available on PC, Mac, Xbox, PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch 2. Existing Early Access copies update to 1.0; you do not need to buy the same copy again.

Has Valheim 1.0 already come out?

Yes. September 9, 2026 is the release date, not an upcoming estimate. If you last played during Early Access, update your installation before joining friends or continuing into the new northern content.

The launch and later patches are different dates. Version 1.0 introduced Deep North; later 1.0 patches fix and adjust the released game. The Deep North guide covers the biome itself, while the PS5 guide answers console availability and multiplayer questions.

What did the 1.0 update add?

Deep North extends the journey beyond the Ashlands to Kall Fimbulbringer. The update also adds weapons, armour, capes, crafting materials, food, building pieces, tools, locations and events. Upgradeable pockets and achievements affect players returning to earlier parts of the game too.

Use the boss order guide to see where your current progression sits. If you have finished Fader, the north is the next biome to prepare for. If you are starting over, the earlier bosses and crafting progression still matter.

The launch also changes equipment choices. The trinket guide explains the adrenaline trigger and the different recovery, resistance and damage effects, including the northern Neckstabber and Witch Crown.

Do you need a new world for Valheim 1.0?

Your existing saves remain playable. New biome generation works properly in areas you have not explored, so an older world can receive new content without replacing your established buildings. Iron Gate recommends starting a fresh world for the full experience.

The important question is how much of the north you already explored. If you visited it before 1.0, do not assume that the same ground will regenerate into a fresh Deep North landscape. A new world avoids that generation constraint; continuing an old one preserves the world you built.

Before choosing, find your world files with the save file location guide. The seed map guide explains the difference between viewing a generated seed and loading the saved world you actually play.

What happens to mods and achievements?

A working Early Access mod is not automatically compatible with 1.0. Check the mod's supported game version before loading a modded world. Valheim has no official mod support, and 1.0 does not introduce console mod support or Steam Workshop support.

Achievement tracking begins with 1.0. Earlier actions may need to be repeated: having defeated Eikthyr before the update does not by itself unlock the corresponding tracked achievement. Cheats can also affect eligibility, so do not spawn items merely to test a new feature on a character whose achievements you want to keep.

Can you play 1.0 with friends on another platform?

The game supports crossplay across its platforms. Crossplay lets players join a shared session; it does not mean every platform synchronizes your personal saves. The PS5 guide separates those two questions before you choose where to continue playing.