System Era Softworks released Ver. 1.1.0, known as Sinking Reef, for Starseeker: Astroneer Expeditions on August 5th/6th, 2026. The update makes new Landing Sites available in the Sinking Reef Region, adds underwater Sea Labs, introduces new Crew Member Missions and unlockable Gear Blueprints, and begins the Life’s a Beach Region Rally.
Sinking Reef opens new Landing Sites and Sea Labs
The Sinking Reef Region is open with new Landing Sites for Expeditions. Players can explore new Sea Labs, which were established underwater by the ESS Starseeker forward team while tracking Elysium wreckage. The locations have fallen into varying states of disrepair and can contain discoveries or salvage, though they can also be hazardous.
Sea Labs are not limited to Sinking Reef. They can be found across the oceans of Tephra, giving players additional locations to search while exploring other areas.
New Gear Blueprints arrive through Crew Member Missions
New Crew Member Missions provide access to Gear and Gadget Blueprints. Completing these Missions unlocks Blueprints that let players print the equipment when needed for exploration.
- Shock Lasso Nozzle
- Bouncy Terrain Launcher Nozzle
- Swim Speed Mod
- Swim Dash Mod
- Hard Terrain Mod V1
- Power Mod V3
- Health Mod V3
- Stamina Mod V3
- Vacuum Canister
- Shock Canister
- Tranquilizer Bomb
Life’s a Beach Region Rally
The update introduces Region Rallies as a new type of Community Challenge. For the Life’s a Beach Rally, players are asked to collect organic samples found along Tephra’s coasts and underwater areas. The full list includes Coilcup Husks, Bristle Bulbs, Star Shells, Floral Corals, Seamelons, Glimmerstones, Algae Bulbs, Glow Bulbs and Kelp Bulbs.
The Rally began on August 5th, 2026, at 11 AM PST or after maintenance, and ends at midnight PST on August 9th, 2026. Progress can be tracked through the Event tab under Objectives in the DAD menu.
- 20% of the goal: Bubble Head Visor
- 50% of the goal: Lily Livery Hat
- 100% of the goal: Little Daddy Mask
Repeatable stretch goals award a Swimmer’s Pack containing a Swim Dash Mod, five Swim Boosts and five Vacuum Canisters. The Swim Dash Mod is earned only from the first stretch-goal pack; later stretch goals continue to award Swim Boosts and Vacuum Canisters.
Aquatic cosmetics and gameplay improvements
The EXO Outlet has added the Aquanaut Suit and Scuba Suit as permanent aquatic-themed cosmetic additions available for Credits. Credits are earnable-only. The Stellar Suit remains in the EXO Outlet for a while longer and will return to the Clowder Emporium in the future for purchase from Felix with Baubles after it leaves the Outlet.
Version 1.1.0 also adjusts character movement while gliding and aiming to throw an item. A Malfunctioning Demolition Device in the Tangle Region was repositioned so it no longer spawns at the edge of a cliff.
Fixes and known issues
The patch fixes crashes across PC and consoles, including a PS5-specific crash, and addresses an FPS drop when opening the station Customizer. On Nintendo Switch 2, it fixes an issue where deforming terrain could create missing voxel pieces. The update also addresses visual issues involving flora spawning above terrain.
Additional fixes cover Player Customization and interface problems, including character-item placement in profile pictures and station screens, Customizer expression controls, EXO Outlet previews and navigation, Crew Member Mission interaction-button colors, and console Settings highlights.
Some issues remain listed as known issues, including the Golden Pathos Achievement being unavailable, Glider Palette colors not applying as intended, controller button mappings resetting after a relaunch, and movement keys that cannot be rebound for mouse and keyboard controls.
Get Fluxed Palette and Switch 2 workaround
Players who completed all Missions in the State of Flux Community Challenge through Muriel’s Splashdown Mission should now have the Get Fluxed Palette in their Inbox. The Palette is also planned to return to the Clowder Emporium in the future, where it will be purchasable from Felix for Baubles.
For connection issues on Nintendo Switch 2, the official workaround advises opening the console’s Settings, selecting Date and Time, and ensuring that Synchronize Clock via Internet is enabled.
A developer update from System Era Softworks says the studio is working on collaborative, goal-oriented, repeatable gameplay that will sit alongside the existing Expedition structure. The studio notes that this work is in active development and subject to change.
