Dinkum Leaves Early Access with Full Launch on Steam — New Features, Creative Mode, and Global Expansion
- Sagar Mankar
- 59 minutes ago
- 2 min read
After nearly three years in Early Access, Dinkum has officially launched on Steam as of April 23, 2025. The charming Australian-inspired survival sim—originally developed by solo creator James Bendon—now enters a new chapter under global publisher Krafton, with fresh features, new content, and a growing global player base.
From Humble Beginnings to 1 Million Sales
Released into Early Access on July 14, 2022, Dinkum quietly cultivated a passionate community with its blend of farming, town-building, crafting, and exploration—drawing comparisons to Stardew Valley, Animal Crossing, and Minecraft, but with a distinct Aussie twist.
Since then, the game has surpassed 1 million units sold, bolstered by consistent updates, seasonal events, and the introduction of vehicles, hang gliders, and diverse customization features.
What’s New in the Full Release
The 1.0 version delivers several highly requested upgrades:
Creative Mode – A sandbox-style mode that allows players to decorate and build their islands with no resource limits.
Improved Multiplayer – Now supports up to 6 players, complete with enhanced guest permissions and cooperative gameplay options.
NPC Guest Houses – Players can rent out homes to up to four NPCs, generating passive income.
New Transportation – A two-seater airplane lets players travel across their island in style.
Insect Terrarium – Collect, raise, and display a variety of insects in a customizable enclosure.
A free trial version is also now available, allowing players to test the game and carry over progress into the full version if they purchase it.
In February, the game added support for 14 languages, broadening its accessibility ahead of full release.
Krafton CEO Kim Chang-han noted the company's ambition to "strengthen the competitiveness of various game genres by expanding the global service of Dinkum."
At launch, Dinkum is priced at $19.99 and maintains a stellar reputation on Steam, with 92% of over 23,000 reviews marked as "Very Positive." The game previously peaked at nearly 13,000 concurrent players during Early Access and peaked 75,000 users today.
What’s Next for the Dinkum Universe?
Krafton isn’t stopping here. Its subsidiary 5 Min Lab is working on Dinkum Together, a multi-platform adaptation of the game designed to expand its universe. The project was first revealed during G-Star 2024, showcasing Krafton's long-term commitment to the franchise.
Meanwhile, James Bendon has confirmed he will continue to update Dinkum post-launch, with plans for new content including items, characters, and activities, though no fixed roadmap has been announced.