System Era Softworks, the development studio behind the popular space sandbox game Astroneer, has officially revealed gameplay for its next title, Starseeker: Astroneer Expeditions. Published by Devolver Digital, the new game is a cooperative multiplayer experience for up to four players, centered on completing timed missions on vibrant alien worlds.
Key Takeaways
- System Era Softworks has announced Starseeker: Astroneer Expeditions, a new co-op space game.
- The game supports up to four players who embark on expeditions to alien planets.
- A core gameplay feature is a mission timer based on a limited oxygen supply, requiring players to return to their hub.
- Starseeker is scheduled for release in 2026.
First Gameplay Details Revealed
The initial gameplay footage for Starseeker showcases a colorful and chaotic cooperative adventure. Players team up in groups of up to four, launching expeditions from a central space station hub. The missions take place on diverse and unusual planets, each with unique landscapes and alien life.
During these expeditions, players will work together to complete specific objectives, engage in combat with extraterrestrial creatures, and gather resources described as "space loot." The footage highlights dynamic movement options, including gliding across terrain and swimming through alien oceans. Encounters range from battling large, hostile creatures to interacting with passive lifeforms like sentient carrots.
A key feature returning from Astroneer is the ability to manipulate the environment. Players can use tools to tunnel through the ground, construct bridges to cross chasms, and clean equipment that has been covered by alien substances. Once a mission's objectives are met, the team returns to the space station to prepare for their next outing.
From Sandbox to Session-Based
While sharing a similar visual style with its predecessor, Starseeker shifts away from the open-ended sandbox survival of Astroneer. Instead, it focuses on a more structured, session-based gameplay loop, where players complete discrete missions rather than establishing a permanent presence on a single planet.
The Central Role of Timed Missions
A fundamental mechanic in Starseeker is the implementation of a timer for every mission. According to developer System Era, this system is tied directly to the players' oxygen supply. The timer creates a sense of urgency, as players must complete their tasks and extract before their life support runs out.
"The clock starts ticking the second you step out of your landing shuttle," System Era stated. "On every expedition, you only have a limited amount of oxygen and will need to get back to the Star Seeker before it runs out."
This design choice introduces a risk-reward element to exploration. While time limits can increase excitement and stakes, particularly in extraction-style games, they also guide the pace of play. The necessity to watch the clock may influence how much time players can dedicate to pure exploration or casual interaction with the environment, a core appeal of the studio's previous game.
Game Information
- Developer: System Era Softworks
- Publisher: Devolver Digital
- Genre: Co-op Action-Adventure
- Player Count: 1-4 Players
- Release Window: 2026
The Star Seeker Hub and Player Progression
Between missions, players will return to a shared space station known as the Star Seeker. This area functions as a central hub where teams can regroup, manage their loot, and prepare for subsequent expeditions. The gameplay reveal suggests this station serves a similar purpose to social hubs in other online games, such as the Space Anomaly in No Man's Sky.
The developer has described the space station as "ever-evolving," which implies a progression system. It is likely that the loot and resources gathered during missions will be used to unlock upgrades, new equipment, and potentially cosmetic items for the station and the players' characters. However, the extent of this customization remains unclear.
One of the significant unanswered questions is whether players will have any base-building capabilities. Astroneer is well-known for its extensive and creative base-building system, which allows players to establish permanent homes on alien worlds. It is not yet known if Starseeker will feature a similar system, collaborative or otherwise, or if all progression will be centered on the pre-designed space station hub.
Looking Ahead to 2026
System Era Softworks has confirmed that development on Astroneer will continue alongside the creation of Starseeker: Astroneer Expeditions. This ensures that fans of the original sandbox game will still receive support and new content.
While the initial gameplay reveal has provided a solid overview of the core experience, many details about the game's long-term structure, progression systems, and content variety are still to be announced. With a release planned for 2026, more information is expected to be shared as development progresses. The game's timed-mission format presents a clear departure from Astroneer, aiming for a different kind of cooperative space adventure.