The survival grind on Jan Dolski's hostile planet is getting a significant quality-of-life adjustment. 11 bit studios has confirmed a major free content update for The Alters arriving on December 8, 2025, bringing requested features like a save-on-exit function and a new narrative-focused difficulty setting.
Survival games often walk a fine line between tension and frustration, and this update aims to smooth out that curve for players who felt the base mechanics were getting in the way of the narrative.
Save System Overhaul and Relax Mode
The most impactful change for the daily player is undoubtedly the revamped save system. Until now, saving has been tied to specific checkpoints or sleeping, a common trope in the genre that can unfortunately lead to lost progress if real life interrupts a session. The December 8 update introduces a "Save on Exit" feature, allowing you to leave the game safely without needing to trek back to a bed.
Additionally, the game will now autosave after Alter dialogues. Given that The Alters revolves around the complex, branching relationships between different versions of Jan Dolski, ensuring that critical conversation choices are locked in immediately is a massive improvement for narrative integrity.
For players who want to explore the psychological horror of Jan's situation without the constant pressure of resource management, the new Relax Mode offers a solution. This difficulty setting tones down the survival demands, shifting the focus toward exploration and the story. If you've been hesitant to dive in because of the survival learning curve, this mode is designed for you.
What is the Gamer's Den module?
Even a stranded clone-maker needs downtime. The update introduces a new base module called the "Gamer's Den." Building this room unlocks a playable Card Game mini-game. It adds a meta-layer to the experience—Jan playing a game within the game to keep his sanity intact while waiting out the planet's deadly cycles.
New Customization and Photo Mode
Visual customization is getting a boost with animated exterior base options, letting players add more flair to their mobile fortress. The update also drops new Spacesuit Skins, including:
- Molly
- Deathowl
- Frostpunk – A direct nod to 11 bit studios' acclaimed city-survival builder.
Finally, a dedicated Photo Mode is being added. The game's isometric/bird's-eye view and distinct sci-fi art style have always been striking, and this tool will finally let players capture clean shots of the planet's environments and their sprawling mobile bases.
This update lands on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S on December 8, 2025.