Keep the memories. Choose your next adventure.
You do not have to restart. Iron Gate says existing saves remain playable. The important caveat: new biome generation works properly in areas you have not already explored. The studio recommends a fresh playthrough for the fullest experience. Official 1.0 FAQ
Our recommendation: start fresh if rediscovery is the attraction. Keep your world if the settlement, shared history and unfinished projects are what bring you back.
Two good reasons to return
A new world, a new story
Choose this for the journey: a first shelter, a route nobody knows and a group discovering things together.
- A clean starting point for a returning group.
- Room to rethink your base and play style.
- A reason to enjoy the early adventure again.
The trade-off: rebuilding takes time. Make sure your group actually wants that journey.
Your world still matters
Choose this when your server feels like a home. The harbour you built with friends can be a reason to return, not an obstacle.
- Keep working toward your existing goals.
- Build on the story your group already shares.
- Avoid turning every return into a restart.
The trade-off: check your exploration history before making plans around new terrain.
AI-generated concept illustrations for NPolls; not gameplay screenshots.
Which path suits you?
Pick the thing you care about most. This is our editorial suggestion, not a compatibility check.
Fresh worlds favour rediscovery; existing worlds favour continuity. For a group, agree on the goal before choosing.
Before the next session
A little preparation is more useful than a rushed reset. This is the checklist we would use:
- Preserve a fallback.Make a separate backup of the world and character saves you care about before changing your setup. Give it a date so you can recognise it later.
- Agree on the plan.Ask your group whether the goal is exploration, building or simply spending time together. Do not wipe a shared world without agreement.
- Review your mods.Iron Gate does not guarantee launch compatibility for mods. Check the maintainers’ current instructions before loading a modded setup. Source
- Keep the first session simple.Choose one shared objective. A small, achievable plan makes it easier for returning friends to settle in.
Your world. Your call.
There is no universal winner here. Vote for the route you would actually take, then tell us what makes your choice worthwhile.
Join the discussion → What is the one build, memory or goal that makes your current world hard to leave?
Two questions before you decide
Does a fresh world mean my old one is worthless?
No. That is a personal decision, not a measure of progress. You can value the time spent building your old world even if your next adventure starts elsewhere.
What if I only want to visit the Deep North?
The developer FAQ says you can head there, while still recommending a restart. Consider the unexplored-terrain caveat before choosing your route. Read the official answer.
