Valheim Open World Co-op Space Sim? Answered

No, the developer of Valheim, Iron Gate Studio, is not making an open-world co-op space sim. As of this writing, the studio has only one announced project in active development: the continuation and full release of Valheim itself, which remains a Viking-themed survival and exploration game. However, the question is understandable: Valheim’s procedural worlds, seamless co-op, and base-building have led many players to wonder if the team might pivot to a space setting. This article explains what Iron Gate has actually said, what the studio’s current roadmap looks like, and what other games fill the niche of a co-op space sim if that’s what you’re searching for.

What Iron Gate Studio Has Announced

Iron Gate Studio, based in Skövde, Sweden, released Valheim in Early Access in February 2021. Since then, the developer has been consistently clear that its focus is on completing Valheim’s planned content. The studio’s official website and its Steam news posts list only Valheim as a current project. There is no public announcement, teaser, or job listing that suggests a second game in development. In interviews, studio co-founder Henrik Törnqvist has repeatedly stated that the team wants to finish Valheim first, with updates like the Ashlands and Deep North biomes still on the roadmap. If a space sim were in the works, it would likely have been mentioned in one of those interviews or in the studio’s annual development recap posts.

Why Players Might Think a Space Sim Is Coming

Several features in Valheim naturally spark the space-sim imagination. The game’s procedural world generation creates a vast, explorable map that feels like a mini-universe. The sailing system, with its wind mechanics and naval combat, mirrors the way many space games handle ship piloting. The building system allows for complex structures, which players have used to create everything from castles to functional docks. The co-op model, supporting up to 10 players on a dedicated server, is the same structure many space sims use. These similarities have led to fan mods and discussions about a “Valheim in space� concept, but that is purely community speculation, not an official project.

What the Valheim Roadmap Actually Includes

Iron Gate’s publicly shared roadmap for Valheim includes several major updates, all set within the game’s Norse mythology setting. The most recent major update, Hildir’s Quest, added new boss encounters and clothing. The next big update, Ashlands, introduces a fire-themed biome with new enemies, weapons, and building materials. After that, the Deep North biome is planned, which will likely be the final biome in the game’s current design. The studio has also mentioned ongoing improvements to combat, farming, and building systems. None of these updates involve space travel, planets, or sci-fi elements. The game’s lore is firmly rooted in Norse mythology, with Yggdrasil, the world tree, connecting the realms—not a spaceship.

Other Games That Fill the Co-op Space Sim Niche

If you’re looking for an open-world co-op space sim, there are several well-established titles that deliver that experience. These games vary in complexity, from casual exploration to deep simulation. Here are a few common options:

• No Man’s Sky – Procedurally generated universe, supports up to 32 players in a session, with base building, trading, and exploration. The co-op is drop-in/drop-out, and you can join friends’ sessions easily.
• Elite Dangerous – A realistic Milky Way simulation with a 1:1 scale. Co-op is supported through wing missions, but the game is more focused on flight simulation and trading than base building. It has a steep learning curve.
• Space Engineers – A sandbox game about building ships and space stations. Co-op is supported for up to 16 players on a server. The focus is on engineering and physics, not story or exploration.
• Empyrion – Galactic Survival – Combines survival, building, and space flight. You can build capital ships, explore planets, and fight aliens. Co-op works on dedicated servers with a similar player limit to Valheim.
• Star Citizen – A massively ambitious MMO in alpha. It has co-op gameplay, but it is not a finished product and has a very high system requirement. It’s more of a simulation than a survival game.

Each of these games offers a different take on the space sim genre. If you want something as close to Valheim as possible, Empyrion or No Man’s Sky might be the best fit because they combine survival, building, and exploration in a co-op setting.

How Valheim’s Co-op and Building Compare to Space Sims

Valheim’s co-op is server-based, meaning one player hosts a world that others can join at any time, even when the host is offline (if using a dedicated server). This is similar to how many space sims handle multiplayer. The building system in Valheim is structural: you place pieces that must be supported by other pieces, and you need to upgrade your workbench to build higher-tier items. Space sims like Space Engineers have a similar structural system, but they add the complexity of power, oxygen, and gravity. Valheim’s building is simpler, but it still requires planning and resource management. The core loop of gather, build, fight, and explore is present in both genres, but the setting and mechanics differ significantly.

Common Misconceptions About Valheim’s Development

One common misconception is that Iron Gate is a large studio with multiple teams. In reality, Iron Gate is a small team, around 20 people as of 2024. They are focused entirely on Valheim. Another misconception is that the game’s procedural generation could be repurposed for a space game. While the engine could technically be used for a space game, the studio has not indicated any interest in doing so. The game’s art style, with its low-poly models and atmospheric lighting, is designed for a Viking world, not for space. Finally, some players assume that the “Ashlands� update might introduce a volcanic planet or a different realm, but the Ashlands is a biome within the same world, not a separate planet.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Iron Gate Studio working on a new game?

No. The studio has not announced any new game. All public development efforts are directed at Valheim’s Early Access roadmap. Any job postings or developer comments have only mentioned Valheim.

Will Valheim ever have space travel or sci-fi elements?

No. The game’s lore is based on Norse mythology, and the developers have not indicated any intention to add sci-fi elements. The world tree Yggdrasil is the central cosmic structure, not a spaceship.

What is the best co-op space sim for Valheim players?

Empyrion – Galactic Survival is often recommended because it has a similar survival and building loop. No Man’s Sky is also a good choice if you prefer a more relaxed, exploration-focused experience with easier co-op.

Can I use Valheim mods to turn it into a space game?

There are mods that add sci-fi items or change the skybox, but they do not fundamentally turn Valheim into a space sim. The game’s mechanics are tied to a planetary surface and sailing, so mods cannot add seamless space flight or planet-to-space transitions.

Is there a Valheim sequel in development?

No. Iron Gate has not announced a sequel. The focus is on completing the current game with the remaining biome updates and quality-of-life improvements.

How long will Valheim’s development last?

Iron Gate has not given a release date for 1.0. The roadmap is open-ended, and the studio has said they will continue updating the game as long as they have ideas and player support. The Deep North update is the last announced biome, but post-1.0 content is not ruled out.

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