Pugstorm is in the middle of a three-part Core Keeper update plan. The first part, Ver.1.3 'Riders of the Underground', which adds the Saddle, Moss sub-biome, livestock mounts and the Hookshot, is already out. Two more versions, Ver.1.4 'Trials of the Abyss' and Ver.1.5 'Beyond the Rift', are planned as the lead-ins and finale.
Pugstorm has split what was originally one project into three numbered versions. The roadmap, revealed on August 15, covers 'The Road to the Great Maw', which follows the January 28 release of 'Void and Current'. Ver.1.3 'Riders of the Underground', Ver.1.4 'Trials of the Abyss' and Ver.1.5 'Beyond the Rift' are the three parts. The first two deepen existing systems, and the third is the final chapter.
The first part, Ver.1.3, shipped on September 21 for PC, PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch 2 and Nintendo Switch. The centerpiece is the Saddle, which turns any livestock animal into a mount that can be ridden, renamed, and set to stay put, wander, or follow. A new Moss sub-biome spreads green growth through stone ruins and is home to Oreks, a reptilian livestock species. The Hookshot crosses rifts and gaps. Three pets arrive with different abilities: Pyokohop, described as coming from the sea, grants a slipperiness effect and attacks at range, while Azeos Jr., described as coming from the sky, can stun enemies. New weapons and armor are included, along with adjustments to mage and summoner playstyles.
A later story on the same update adds detail that the earlier release story did not. Minions now exist permanently. The update adds the King's Scepter weapon and pets including Azeos Jr. CEO Fredrik Prantare discussed it at Tokyo Game Show 2026. In that account the update is called 'Underground Riders' rather than 'Riders of the Underground', the title used in the release story.
Synthesized by Yomimono from the cited Yomimono stories below, each itself
sourced, then editorially reviewed. Every
fact links the story it came from.
Oct 5
Pugstorm released the Underground Riders update for Core Keeper on September 21, 2026. It adds the Moss sub-biome to the Forgotten Ruins, the Orex livestock animal, a Saddle that lets players ride all livestock animals, and a Hookshot as left-hand equipment for crossing gaps. Minions now exist permanently, and the update adds the King's Scepter weapon and pets including Azeos Jr. CEO Fredrik Prantare discussed it at Tokyo Game Show 2026.
Oct 3
Pugstorm and publisher Fireshine Games released the free Core Keeper update Riders of the Underground on September 21, 2026 (Japan time), for PC, PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch 2 and Nintendo Switch. The update is version 1.3. Its centerpiece is the Saddle, a new item that turns any livestock animal in the game into a mount. Players can ride those animals, rename them, and set their behavior to stay put, wander, or follow. A new sub-biome, Moss, spreads green growth through stone ruins and is home to Oreks, a reptilian livestock species. The Hookshot lets players cross rifts and gaps. Three pets arrive with different abilities: Pyokohop, described as coming from the sea, grants a slipperiness effect and attacks at range, while Azeos Jr., described as coming from the sky, can stun enemies. New weapons and armor are included, along with adjustments to mage and summoner playstyles.
Aug 15
Pugstorm revealed the full plan for the Core Keeper major update 'The Road to the Great Maw', which follows the January 28 release of 'Void and Current'. The update was originally one project but grew large enough to split into three versions: Ver.1.3 'Riders of the Underground', Ver.1.4 'Trials of the Abyss', and Ver.1.5 'Beyond the Rift'. The first two deepen existing systems, and the third is the final chapter.