Core Keeper Free Weekend Runs on Steam from October 9 to 13
The free weekend arrives weeks after the Riders of the Underground update, so the event doubles as a sampling window for the newest content rather than the base game alone.
Key Facts
- The Core Keeper Steam Free Weekend runs from October 9 at 2 a.m. Japan time to October 13 at 2 a.m. Japan time.
- Core Keeper supports one to eight players, with online co-op and drop-in and drop-out.
- Save data played during the Core Keeper Free Weekend carries over to the full Steam version on purchase.
- Core Keeper holds more than 50,000 Steam reviews and a Very Positive rating there, according to its store page.
- Core Keeper's Steam price is 2,300 yen, and its full release launched on August 27, 2024.
Reporting from 3 sources: 4Gamer.net, Denfaminicogamer, Game Spark.
Pugstorm and Fireshine Games will hold a Steam Free Weekend for the mining sandbox game Core Keeper from October 9 at 2 a.m. Japan time to October 13 at 2 a.m. Japan time. The full game, including all content added since release, will be playable at no cost during the period. That includes the latest major update, Riders of the Underground, which added animal riding, the Hookshot item, and a new Moss biome. Save data from the free period carries over to the full Steam version if a player buys it during or after the event. Core Keeper supports solo play and online co-op for up to eight players with drop-in and drop-out. The game is set in ancient caves where players mine resources, build bases, craft equipment, and fight bosses while exploring deeper. Its Steam store page price is 2,300 yen, and the full release launched on August 27, 2024 after Early Access began on March 8, 2022.
Core Keeper has drawn more than 50,000 Steam reviews and holds a Very Positive rating there, and the press release puts its player count at 6 million. The Free Weekend opens the entire full release, not a demo slice, so the updates released after launch are included in the free period.
Riders of the Underground landed on September 21 with the Saddle for riding livestock animals, the Hookshot for crossing rifts and holes, and the Moss biome, alongside three new pets and new equipment. Pugstorm chief executive and game director Fredrik Prantare discussed the update at Tokyo Game Show 2026. Fireshine Games marketing lead Tina Moore also spoke at the event. The developer and publisher are based outside Japan, and Fireshine Games is part of the EG7 Group.
Synthesized by Yomimono from the 3 cited sources below, including Japanese-language reporting where cited, then editorially reviewed before publishing.