Summary
Along with a new Performance Pass and Cosmetic Tree, Season 5 ofDeep Rock Galacticwill allow players to access older content and cosmetics. This flexible approach to howDeep Rock Galactichandles season passes and unlockable items could become a model for how developers should approach time-limited content.
Deep Rock Galactic’s frantic dwarves-in-space co-op combat has earned it a dedicated player base since its early access release in 2018. As further proof of its enduring popularity,Deep Rock Galactichas just become one of thelatest titles added to Xbox Game Pass Core. The game’s themed seasons have each included a free 100-tier Performance Pass filled with new cosmetic beards and armor, allowing players to customize their deep-space dwarves. Unlike many other live-service games, cosmetic items are not lost to the abyss upon a season’s completion, but rather recycled into the game’s shop and loot packs.
However, with the upcomingSeason 5 ofDeep Rock Galactic, Ghost Ship Games seems set to shake up thistried and tested battle pass formulawith an ambitious way of handling old content. Along with the new season’s themed events, previous seasons will be available to play as separate game modes, each complete with their original Performance Passes and Cosmetic Trees. Players who have already partially progressed through these passes will carry on from where they left off, giving veterans the chance to chase down missed content and allowing new players to earn expired rewards. An alternative “vanilla” playlist will also be available, featuring a mixed bag of events from each season.
Is Deep Rock Galactic Unique in its New Approach to Battle Passes?
Similar approaches to how video games handle timed content are becoming more common as developers work to strike a balance between keeping hardcore players engaged and ensuring rewards remain achievable for a more casual audience.Halo Infinitedeveloper 343 Industries took a similar approach in the latest installment of the iconic sci-fi shooter. Although the premium rewards in each ofHalo Infinite’s season’s passes are locked behind paywalls, these battle passes remain permanently in the game, allowing players to freely choose which one they want to progress at any time. The game’s free-to-play multiplayer does feature smaller, limited-timed events, but thenew shop and free currency coming toHalo Infinitewill soon allow players to catch up on missed content. These moves help to make live service games – which have traditionally capitalized on gamers' fear of missing out – more accessible, letting players enjoy them at their own pace.
By bringing both original and old content to the dwarven space shooter, Season 5 of Deep Rock Galactic seems set to further improveone of the best co-op gamesout there. Before the new season begins in June 2024, players can discover more about the game’s upcoming features during Ghost Ship Games’ developer broadcast on April 25.
Deep Rock Galactic
WHERE TO PLAY
Deep Rock Galactic is a 1-4 player co-op FPS featuring badass space Dwarves, 100% destructible environments, procedurally-generated caves, and endless hordes of alien monsters.1-4 PLAYER CO-OPWork together as a team to dig, explore, and fight your way through a massive cave system filled with hordes of deadly enemies and valuable resources. You will need to rely on your teammates if you want to survive the most hostile cave systems in the galaxy!4 UNIQUE CLASSESPick the right class for the job. Mow through enemies as the Gunner, scout ahead and light up the caves as the Scout, chew through solid rock as the Driller, or support the team with defensive structures and turrets as the Engineer.FULLY DESTRUCTIBLE ENVIRONMENTSDestroy everything around you to reach your goal. There is no set path so you can complete your mission your way. Drill straight down to your objective or build an intricate network of paths to explore your surroundings – the choice is yours. But proceed with caution, you don’t want to stumble into an alien swarm unprepared!
