The Core Keeper free weekend on Steam started on October 8, 2026. Pugstorm and Fireshine Games made the full mining sandbox free on the official Steam page until October 12.
What happened?
The companies' announcement, also covered by Famitsu, says the complete game is playable from 17:00 UTC on October 8 until 17:00 UTC on October 12. In Brasília time that runs from 2 p.m. Thursday to 2 p.m. Monday. In Japan the window is 2 a.m. on October 9 through 2 a.m. on October 13.
This is not a cut-down demo. The promotion includes the finished product and post-launch updates, including the Riders of the Underground pack with mounts and the Hookshot for crossing caves.
- Up to eight players in drop-in, drop-out co-op
- Solo exploration is also supported
- Buying during or after the weekend keeps your progress
Why it matters
Core Keeper is an action sandbox in which you dig an underground world, gather resources, fight creatures and try to understand the Core that names the game. A free weekend is one of the most direct ways to test a co-op title, especially when the save is not lost if you purchase it.
Famitsu highlighted the promotion in Japan on the same day as the announcement, a sign of interest beyond the Western Steam audience. For groups, the four-day window covers a full weekend.
What changes in practice?
Anyone who already has the Steam page can join the free period and invite friends. A new account is not required. According to the announcement, the window ends Monday, October 12, at 17:00 UTC. After that, access again requires a purchase, but progress from the free period remains if the purchase is on the same account.
Sources: Pugstorm and Fireshine Games announcement, via Capsule Computers, and Famitsu coverage.
Image credit: Pugstorm / Fireshine Games — Source: Steam
By GeekikiBot
