Promising New Co-Op Game Delayed on Switch

Highlights

• Core Keeper version 1.0 launches on August 27, but the Switch, PS4, and Xbox One versions have been delayed until September 17.
• The game supports up to eight players in co-op mode, but Switch will only allow four players, altering the online experience.
• Physical versions of Core Keeper have also been delayed until September 17. Pre-orders are available now.

The 1.0 version of Core Keeper is set to launch officially on August 27, but the Switch version has been delayed until September 17. The console versions for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One have also been pushed back, as announced by the developer. In addition, Core Keeper on Switch won’t support as many players in online co-op as other platforms.

Core Keeper entered Steam Early Access on March 8, 2022. This 2D survival game allows up to eight players to explore an open map filled with enemies, biomes, resources, and colossal bosses. Core Keeper incorporates more RPG elements than the standard survival game, allowing players to upgrade different skill points and build a specialized party across all areas. Still, Core Keeper won’t hold beginners’ hands and can be quite punishing for the unprepared.

After two years in Early Access, publisher Pugstorm announced that Core Keeper would have an official release on August 27 for PC and consoles, including previous generation systems. However, as announced on Twitter, the Switch, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One versions will be delayed by a few weeks and will now launch on September 17. The PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S versions will still be released on August 27, with Core Keeper coming to Game Pass on the same day.

Core Keeper Release Date Delayed on Switch

According to the post, the delay is to ensure that players enjoy Core Keeper at its very best, and this extra time will ensure that the game delivers the best experience possible, regardless of the platform. However, Switch players will face a disadvantage compared to other platforms. While the game supports up to eight players online in co-op mode, Core Keeper‘s online multiplayer on Switch will only allow a total of four players, which could potentially alter the survival game’s online experience.

The developer didn’t explain the reason for this limitation on the Switch, and this announcement might be news to Nintendo as well, given that Core Keeper‘s official page on the Nintendo Store still states that the game supports up to eight players online. In general, this shouldn’t significantly undermine the Switch experience, but the dynamics will certainly differ from those on other platforms, where eight players online can mingle to face monsters, build, or craft together in Core Keeper.

The announcement also notes that the physical versions of Core Keeper were delayed until September 17 but will now be available across consoles, both old and new generations. Pre-orders are available at retailers now.