Valheim exits early access with Deep North biome

Iron Gate Studio and publisher Coffee Stain Publishing have confirmed that Viking Survival: Hit Valheim will officially leave Early Access for its 1.0 launch on September 9, 2026. Arriving five and a half years after its viral debut in February 2021, the milestone update brings the massive Deep North biome, console debuts on PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch 2, full cross-platform multiplayer, and a price increase to $29.99 across all digital storefronts.

The Deep North biome, Bloodgold, and new dungeons

Serving as Valheim's final planned biome, the Deep North introduces over "two biomes worth" of new content to the northernmost reaches of the world map. Players will encounter dense snow-covered pine forests, frozen coastal ice sheets, and ghost-inhabited village ruins. Traversal is expanded with a Mistlands tier grappling hook, letting Vikings scale sheer icy cliffs and cross difficult mountain terrain.

To survive the extreme environment, players must face new wildlife and hostile entities. Deep North fauna includes tameable, rideable Moose, coastal Seals, and towering Gammeltrolls, massive ancient trolls that turn to stone on death. Their petrified remains must be blasted apart with explosive Ember Charges to harvest Petrified Tissue, which is then smelted into the new Bloodgold ore. Exploration extends into two dangerous dungeon types: the underground Winding Tunnels, accessed through village ruins, and the fortress-like Gates of Mörkhalla, which requires a crafted Intricate Key to unlock.

Crafting overhauls, console ports, and 1.0 availability

The Valheim 1.0 update introduces the Nord tier weapon family, crafted from Bloodgold using molds found in the Winding Tunnels, alongside new armor sets, the Hooded Lantern, and the Frost Foundry crafting station. Building options expand with Scalewood structures, steep roof pieces, and an ice maker tool for crafting ice blocks.

Simultaneously with its existing PC and Xbox release, Valheim 1.0 arrives natively on PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch 2 with full crossplay support, letting Vikings play together across every supported platform. Existing owners receive the Deep North update for free, while new players face the $29.99 price from launch day onward, the game's first price change since entering Early Access.