Deep Rock Galactic: Rogue Core

FAQ

How is DRG: Rogue Core different from Deep Rock Galactic?

The main difference is the roguelite game structure. In short, this means that you start each mission with only the most basic equipment, and you collect random upgrades, gear and abilities as you go. This makes for lots of variety in your build, and the potential for extremely powerful upgrades and synergies.

In Rogue Core, the difficulty will also increase drastically as you progress in a mission, contrary to Deep Rock Galactic where the difficulty is more consistent from mission start to mission end.

Is this game a Roguelike or Roguelite?

While ‘Roguelike’ is often used broadly for all kinds of games that have “runs”, “builds” and random upgrades, we deliberately use the term Roguelite to indicate that there will be a meta gameplay system with permanent character progression that carries over between missions.

How is Rogue Core approaching the co-op gameplay as a roguelite?

We are taking on the “co-op first” mentality for Rogue Core, just as we did for Deep Rock Galactic. Since the core gameplay builds on DRG, it will inherently also feature all the known co-op mechanics like traversal tools, weapon synergies and laser pointer shouts, not to forget the good old “Rock and Stone”. On top of this, we’re experimenting with co-op mechanics specifically focused on making a “team build” on the fly, and not just 4 individual builds.

Why isn’t Rogue Core just an expansion of Deep Rock Galactic?

There are two main reasons for this.

We felt making it a DLC would limit the game’s potential. When we started working on Rogue Core as a prototype project, we quickly realized that we’d really have to dial down our scope and ambitions if we wanted it to all fit into Deep Rock Galactic. It’s been much more motivating (and fun) to explore new gameplay systems, art directions, weapons and damage mechanics when we don’t have to ‘justify’ or balance it with regular Deep Rock Galactic. There’s a lot we want to explore here, and we just couldn’t do that within the confines of a traditional DLC.
You can’t do Early Access with a DLC. Early Access is a really important way for us to shape the game according to community feedback, and there’s no way to do that with DLC for an existing game. Deep Rock Galactic wouldn’t have been the success it is without a healthy Early Access run, so we wanted the same development experience with Rogue Core. For more of our thoughts and feelings about Early Access, check out the ‘Early Access’ section up above.

When do you plan to release Rogue Core?

It’s expected to be released into Early Access towards the end of 2025. But take that with a grain of red sugar.

What will the price be? Will it be cheaper if I own Deep Rock Galactic?

The price is undecided. We will likely create a bundle, so all Deep Rock Galactic owners will get a discount.

[FAQ last updated April 2025]

Roadmap

About the Game

DEEP ROCK GALACTIC: ROGUE CORE is a spinoff of Deep Rock Galactic with a roguelite twist. The roguelite element means you start each mission with only the most basic equipment, and cooperatively build up powers, weapons and abilities as you go. Each run requires you to think on your feet and work with your team to put together the most powerful builds you can.

All deep mining operations on Hoxxes have suddenly gone dark. An enormous transient disturbance has cut off all contact with our dig sites. Ever since The Grayout, nothing gets in or out.

The Deep Rock Galactic Corporation needs our mining facilities secured and operational immediately. Conventional measures don’t seem to be working.

That’s why we’re sending in the Reclaimers.

The Reclaimers are Deep Rock Galactic’s elite security force. Planetary mining is a dangerous business, after all. The pickaxe is a noble tool, but there are times when it must become a weapon.

Throughout the years, the Company has called on the Reclaimers when a situation requires a little applied force. When negotiations aren’t an option. When all else fails.

Join the Reclaimers and experience a new arsenal of advanced weaponry, cutting-edge equipment and experimental biomedical enhancements available only to the Company’s finest.

Find out why the Reclaimers get sent in when nobody else can do the job.

We’re sending you down to the lowest depths the Company has ever reached. These subterranean landscapes are largely uncharted territory. We’re counting on you to gather critical intel on these extreme environments close to the planet's core.

The Grayout Barrier disables most of our technology on contact, so you’ll be heading in with only your pickaxe. You’ll have to scrounge any weapons and equipment you can find within the mining facility, and craft enhancements by harvesting the wunder-mineral Expenite.

You’ll need to rely on your wits and weaponry. Collect guns, gear and personal upgrades along the way, and wield your game-changing Reclaimer Gauntlers in the heat of battle. Build your arsenal on the fly, experiment with lethal new combinations and get stronger as you go.

Down here, swift decisions and unflinching force are your keys to survival. Fight through the mines and pacify any resistance you may encounter. Time is of the essence – the longer you stick around, the higher the pressure.

You’ll be deployed in teams of four operatives, and close cooperation is essential. Work together, or die alone.

The inhospitable depths of Hoxxes are home to a horrific new class of creature: the Core Spawn. We don’t know much about them, but one thing is certain: these creatures are more aggressive, resilient and intelligent than anything we’ve encountered before.

Management considers the Core Spawn to be a critical threat to our continued operations. Confront and dispatch them with extreme prejudice.

Coming back alive is only the beginning. Build, upgrade, and master your craft to make your Reclaimer a legend of the deep.

Extensive class customization, character progression, endless build combinations and infinite depths of procedurally-generated caves make for limitless mayhem.

No two missions are alike – Dive, dig, and dive again.