Adaptive Measures and Buddy System have shipped, followed by Buddy System Hotfix 2 on October 6. Returning players can explore expanded Biomod progression, proximity voice chat, revives and trading, with the newest fixes for scanning, base power and vehicles.
Official roadmap and linked announcements checked .
Creative Director Anthony Gallegos introduces Voyage to Early Access 2, a series that will feature developers, sneak peeks and context for the next major content update. The announcement starts that coverage; it does not say EA2 has shipped or provide a date.
If you are waiting for more regions or the next story chapter, follow the upcoming episodes and a future release announcement. For an existing world, the latest released patch listed in the official feed remains October 6's Buddy System Hotfix 2.
Two more Biolabs, six Biomods available through Biolabs, extra passive slots from Bioscanner creature scans, land and base sprint, and an FOV slider.
For your next session: If you stopped after the launch build, revisit Biomod progression. Check the Biolab unlocks and scan counts before assuming you have reached the old four-Biomod limit.
Cross-platform proximity voice chat, player revives, direct item trading, emotes, Tracking Tags, and two more character choices.
For your next session: For a returning co-op group, set voice-chat preferences and try reviving and trading before a long dive. A revived player keeps their equipment and regains some oxygen.
Save build and branch checks, wall-rack item returns with Refund Base, proximity-chat push-to-talk, and fixes for base currents and Tadpole passenger oxygen.
For your next session: Update before repeating an old workaround. If a save will not load, compare its build and branch first; if an issue persists, check the matching known-issue entry.
Scanner Station accuracy, generator power after returning to an area, Tadpole docking and boundary recovery, voice detection, Shiver Leviathan vehicle interactions, and Xbox stability.
For your next session: Revisit affected scans, docks and power installations after updating. For co-op, compare every player’s branch and build before retrying voice or session-state problems.
The May 15 roadmap separates focused improvements from larger expansions. The next big content drop is described in terms of world exploration, biomes, lifeforms, materials, equipment, vehicles, and more story.
October’s Hotfix 2 covers fixes, while October 15's Voyage to Early Access 2 introduces the next preview series. Neither announcement gives the larger expansion a release date. Check for a release announcement before planning a long playthrough around new regions or story.
The developer says the roadmap can change. A hotfix date, an Experimental build, or a vehicle mentioned in patch notes is not a release date for the whole expansion.
Read the official Early Access roadmapUse the normal Early Access branch for a continuing world. Experimental is an opt-in preview for trying changes before the wider release and sending feedback. The official announcement says it will not update daily; some builds preview larger releases and others preview smaller fixes.
Only one build is installed at a time. Opting in replaces the default build, and switching back downloads the relevant changes. Your default saves remain separate from Experimental saves.
The Experimental build installs alongside the default game. Allow extra storage for the second installation and launch the same branch as your co-op group.
The official FAQ says Experimental is currently unavailable on Epic. Epic players still receive released updates on the default branch; a group that includes an Epic player should use that branch.
Can preview players join default players? No. Everyone must use the same branch. An invite or Save Code does not make the two versions compatible.
The support FAQ updated October 4 says Experimental stays online continuously and is updated shortly before major releases. Availability alone does not signal that a new chapter has shipped.
Official support: Steam and Xbox installations, Epic availability, matching branches, and update cadence.
Pick a route for the game that is available now, or keep your existing world backed up while waiting for the expansion.
Pick up your next route from the prologue through the first Tadpole.
Understand the Biolab unlocks and Bioscanner progression added in Adaptive Measures.
Keep a backup and distinguish platform sync from the game’s Save Code transfer.
Read the update summaries and the full official announcements.