Other Games Should Copy the Amazing New Deep Rock Galactic Feature

Along with a new Performance Pass and Cosmetic Tree, Season 5 of Deep Rock Galactic will allow players to access older content and cosmetics. This flexible approach to how Deep Rock Galactic handles season passes and unlockable items could become a model for how developers should approach time-limited content.

Deep Rock Galactic’s frantic dwarves-in-space co-op combat has earned it a dedicated player base since its early access release in 2018. As further proof of its enduring popularity, Deep Rock Galactic has just become one of the latest titles added to Xbox Game Pass Core. The game’s themed seasons have each included a free 100-tier Performance Pass filled with new cosmetic beards and armor, allowing players to customize their deep-space dwarves. Unlike many other live-service games, cosmetic items are not lost to the abyss upon a season’s completion, but rather recycled into the game’s shop and loot packs.

However, with the upcoming Season 5 of Deep Rock Galactic, Ghost Ship Games seems set to shake up this tried and tested battle pass formula with an ambitious way of handling old content. Along with the new season’s themed events, previous seasons will be available to play as separate game modes, each complete with their original Performance Passes and Cosmetic Trees. Players who have already partially progressed through these passes will carry on from where they left off, giving veterans the chance to chase down missed content and allowing new players to earn expired rewards. An alternative “vanilla” playlist will also be available, featuring a mixed bag of events from each season.

Similar approaches to how video games handle timed content are becoming more common as developers work to strike a balance between keeping hardcore players engaged and ensuring rewards remain achievable for a more casual audience. Halo Infinite developer 343 Industries took a similar approach in the latest installment of the iconic sci-fi shooter. Although the premium rewards in