- Early Access Update #3 – Quality of Life and Fishing Spots – Now Live - 1 September 2026
The Community Playtest is over and the feedback was invaluable. Thank you to everyone who jumped in and helped us catch issues before launch. The update is now live for everyone. Here's the complete list of everything in this update so you don't have to dig through previous posts. Fishing Spots The River and River Campsite now have dedicated fishing spots. Dragging your fishing rod to a fishing spot is the proper way to fish. Casting anywhere without one will still work, but your chances drop significantly. If you want a reliable catch, find a spot first. Fish in fishing spots will deplete as you fish, but replenish over time. It's worth rotating between spots rather than staying at the same one. If you've been to the Fishing Cabin, keep an eye out for the Notebook with Fishing Spots. It contains marked locations and significantly improves your chances of finding a fishing spot when kep…
- Early Access Update #3 – Community Playtest is Now Open (v0.5.1) - 26 August 2026
The Community Playtest build for Update #3 is live. If you want to get in early and help shape the final version before it goes live for everyone, here's how to access it. For a full breakdown of what's in this update, check out the Dev Update #4 post here: https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/3435110/view/715661584899246541This build also includes the following additional bug fixes and improvements. Save Game Rollback This one has been a long time coming. When the game crashes and corrupts the save on reload, it will now automatically roll back to a previous save instead of forcing a restart from scratch. We know this has been a frustrating experience for a lot of you, and we're really glad to finally have a fix in place. Let us know how it holds up during the playtest. Additional Bug FixesFixed bulk crafting consuming less material than expected Fixed card detail popup sometimes ap…
- Dev Update #4: Quality Of Life and Fishing Spots - 17 August 2026
Hey everyone! Hope the cold has been keeping you on your toes since the last update. This one is focused on quality of life, making the game feel better to play day to day. Here's what's coming. Fishing spots are coming to the River and River Campsite. The River and River Campsite are getting dedicated fishing spots, and fishing is changing slightly to go with them. Dragging your fishing rod to a fishing spot is the proper way to fish. Casting anywhere without one will still work, but your chances drop significantly. If you want a reliable catch, find a spot first. Fish in fishing spots will also deplete as you fish, but replenish over time. So it's worth rotating between spots rather than hammering the same one. If you've been to the Fishing Cabin, keep an eye out for the Notebook with Fishing Spots. It contains marked locations and significantly improves your chances of finding a fish…
- Early Access Update #2 – The Cold Goes Deeper – Now Live - 27 July 2026
The Community Playtest is over and the feedback was invaluable. Thank you to everyone who jumped in and helped us catch issues before launch. The update is now live for everyone.If you missed the details on what's in this update, the full breakdown is here: Here's a quick summary of what's new:What's in this update:Complete weather system rebuild with thermoregulation and wetness mechanicsWeather events: Snow Slide, Ice Crack, Whiteout, and Extreme BlizzardLoot left outdoors now deteriorates gradually over timeNew pouch slot separate from the main backpackMinor rebalancing based on community feedbackAdditional fixes from the Community Playtest:Fixed Dynamo Flashlight (Lit) staying lit forever at 0% durabilityFixed depleted items at inactive locations sometimes crashing the gameFixed crafting multiple items sometimes crashing the gameAs always, let us know how it feels in the comments or…
- Early Access Update #2 – Community Playtest is Now Open - 1 July 2026
The Community Playtest build for Update #2 is live. If you want to get in early and help shape the final version before it goes live for everyone, here's how to access it.How to access the Community Playtest buildOpen Steam and go to Don't Freeze in your LibraryRight-click the game and select Properties, then go to the Betas tabIn the Private Beta text box, enter: FrostbreakerClick Check CodeThe branch dropdown in the top right will switch to community-playtestClick Update where the Play button normally isOnce updated, launch the game as usual. You should see Selected version: community-playtest next to the Play buttonFeedbackLet us know how it feels over on Discord: https://discord.gg/dPT8d6KVSCWe'll also keep an eye on the Steam forums, though Discord is easier for us to track. Thanks for being part of this.— Jerry & Yune
- EARLY ACCESS UPDATE #2 – THE COLD GOES DEEPER – COMING SOON - 24 June 2026
We teased this in Dev Update #3, and now we're ready to get into the details. This is the biggest change to the core survival experience since launch, and we're genuinely excited for you to feel the difference.Here's everything that's coming and how it all works.The weather system has been completely rebuilt.The old system tracked a single temperature value. The new one layers temperature, wind, wetness, and body heat into something that actually behaves like winter.Where you are matters. What you're wearing matters. Whether you're wet matters. Whether you're moving matters. It's a proper survival system now, not just a warmth bar ticking down.The chain looks like this:Feels-Like Temp → Effective Exposure → Body Heat → Warmth → ConditionThe temperature shown is the feels-like temperature, which already accounts for wind chill. Standing on the frozen lake in a gale feels significantly co…
- Dev Update #3: The Cold Goes Deeper - 12 May 2026
Hey everyone!Hope you've been enjoying the combat update! We've been keeping an eye on feedback and will be bringing some minor rebalancing along with this next update too. In the meantime, here's a first look at what else is coming.Weather OverhaulThe weather system is getting a complete rework, and it's a big one. Wetness is also being introduced as a new mechanic, so staying dry is now just as important as staying warm.ThermoregulationCold survival is getting deeper. The cold will now feel like something that actively works against you, and warming up will no longer be instant. Staying alive will depend more on how well you manage your body heat.Weather EventsThe weather will now throw curveballs as you explore. Dangerous events can catch you off guard if you're not paying attention. The world will give you warnings, but ignoring them has consequences.PouchA new pouch is being added…
- Early Access Update #1 - Combat Rebalance - Now Live - 3 May 2026
The Community Playtest is over and the feedback has been great. Thank you to everyone who jumped in and shared their thoughts. Based on what we heard, we've made a significant round of rebalancing before pushing this update live.Here's everything that changed and why.Combat feels more condition-based and less random.The biggest shift in this rebalance is moving away from RNG frustration and toward difficulty that reflects your actual state. If you're healthy and prepared, fights should feel manageable. If you're injured, cold, and exhausted, they should feel dangerous. That's the idea behind most of these changes.Double attacks are now tied to your condition.Previously, animals could attack twice based on turn rolls alone. That created situations where double hits felt random and unfair.Now, an animal only attacks twice if two conditions are both true: your turn is 6 minutes, AND your S…
- Early Access Update #1 – Combat Overhaul – Community Playtest - 26 April 2026
It’s here! Our first major update is now available for community playtesting, and this one’s a big one.We’ve rebuilt combat from the ground up. New mechanics, new weapons, new animals, new injuries, and significant changes to how the game feels overall. We’re excited to finally get it in front of you.Before it goes live for everyone, we’re opening it up for community playtesting for about a week. This is where your feedback matters most. If something feels off, too easy, too punishing, or just plain broken, now’s the time to let us know.This update rebuilds how combat works.The old combat system was functional, but it didn’t capture what we wanted survival combat to feel like. Every fight should feel like a real risk. The decision to engage, push further, or run should carry genuine weight. This update is our attempt to get there.Here’s how the new system works:Turns aren’t equal anymor…
- Demo Updates Paused - 23 April 2026
Just a quick note to let everyone know we're pausing demo updates to focus entirely on Early Access development.On that note, our first major update is going into beta this week. Keep an eye out for the full patch notes.Thanks for your continued support.Jerry & Yune
- Dev Update #2: First Community Playtest is Coming Soon - 17 April 2026
Hey everyone,Good news! The community playtest for the first major update is opening next week.A community playtest is an early build of the update that we open up to players before it goes live. This is our first one, so we hope you'll be part of it! It's a chance to get your hands on new content early, help us catch anything we might have missed, and shape the update before it reaches everyone.If you've been curious about what the new combat system actually feels like, this is your chance to find out first. We'll have the full details on what's changed and how to get in next week.Can't wait to share more soon.Jerry & Yune
- Dev Update #1: The First EA Update - 9 April 2026
Hey everyone!It’s only been a short while since the last update, but we’ve been working on something bigger behind the scenes.Our next major update is on the way. We’ll be sharing more details soon, but here’s a first look at what’s coming:New Combat SystemCombat is now more deliberate and meaningful. Encounters are more realistic, more dangerous, and require better decision-making to survive. Yes, you can no longer shiv a moose like it’s a walk in the park.New WeaponsA new set of weapons is being introduced, giving you a better fighting chance against the tougher wildlife.Non-Combat Animal EncountersNot every encounter leads to a fight. Some animals can now be observed, avoided, or approached differently depending on the situation.New AnimalsMore wildlife has been added to the wasteland, making each encounter less predictable.New InjuriesAnimal encounters now carry more lasting consequ…
- 🧊 Don't Freeze – Patch 0.3.6.9 Now Live! - 6 April 2026
❄ V0.3.6.9 Patch Notes ❄⸻🎮 GameplayUpdated • Reduced clothing durability decay rate • Reduced chances of finding clothing and food in Town
- 🧊 Don't Freeze – Patch 0.3.6.8 Now Live! - 2 April 2026
❄ V0.3.6.8 Patch Notes ❄⸻🐛 Bug Fixes • Fixed a crash that could occur when crafting multiple items
- 🧊 Don't Freeze – Patch 0.3.6.7 Now Live! - 31 March 2026
❄ V0.3.6.7 Patch Notes ❄⸻🎮 GameplayUpdated • Removed dysentery/food poisoning chance when eating berries (except Bane Berries) for now; a new dysentery bar system will be introduced in a future update⸻🐛 Bug Fixes • Fixed a crash that could occur when repairing clothing requiring multiple materials
- 🧊 Don't Freeze – Patch 0.3.6.6 Now Live! - 30 March 2026
❄ V0.3.6.6 Patch Notes ❄⸻🎮 GameplayUpdated • Removed “Wishlist Us” from the pause screen and main menu⸻🐛 Bug Fixes • Fixed being unable to perform actions when darkness appears for the first time
- Early Access is Now Live! - 30 March 2026
Don’t Freeze is now available in Early Access.Early Access players can unlock the First Frostbreakers achievement by obtaining the Thawed Smartphone.Today’s release is just the beginning. We’ll continue updating the game with new content, improvements, and quality of life updates as development progresses. Check out our roadmap. Plans may change as we shape the game together with your feedback.Leave a review and let us know your thoughts. We’re building this with you.Stay warm. Jerry & Yune
- 🧊 Don't Freeze – Patch 0.3.5.5 Now Live! - 30 March 2026
❄ Demo V0.3.5.5 Patch Notes ❄⸻🎮 GameplayUpdated • Updated “Near Death” achievement condition to require recovering more than 10 condition⸻🐛 Bug Fixes • Fixed a crash that could occur when repairing multiple times in quick succession • Fixed hovering over the same type of equipped clothing showing an empty tooltip; now correctly displays “No Change”
- 🧊 Don't Freeze – Patch 0.3.5.4 Now Live! - 29 March 2026
❄ Demo V0.3.5.4 Patch Notes ❄⸻🎮 GameplayUpdated • Updated Gas Mask sound effects • Updated equipment tooltip fonts • Updated credits to include more playtesters⸻🐛 Bug Fixes • Fixed a crash that could occur when leaving the campsite with low light
- ❄ Early Access Bonus – First Frostbreakers - 28 March 2026
When Don’t Freeze launches on 30 March, 2:00 PM CST, all Early Access players will receive the First Frostbreakers achievement.Obtain the Thawed Smartphone from the frozen bottle and be among the first to hold this mystery in your hands.🎁 Players who unlock this will also receive a future exclusive item.Good luck, Frostbreakers. Fingers crossed. Hope you get yours!
