Valheim Load Times to Reduce Due to Reworked Terrain System

Valheim, one of the most popular games of this year, is still in Early Access and thus has a fair share of bugs that developers Iron Gate still need to iron out. The latest patch to come out reworks the terrain-modification system and promises that players will see “faster and smoother” loading times.

Since the mod works on a fairly complex mechanic of the game, Iron Gate took almost a whole month to develop and release the patch. The last update for the game dropped on March 29.

“This was a long one! This patch has been taking extra long time to develop due to the new terrain-modification system,”

Steam Announcement

reads the announcement.

“The new terrain modification system is made to reduce the number of network instances and make loading faster and smoother. Technically it’s a pretty big change but hopefully you should not notice that much of a difference except some minor behaviour changes to the hoe and pickaxe and of course much smoother loading of areas with a lot of terrain modifications.”

Steam Announcement

The patch also adds a new “opterrain” command that converts all the old terrain modifications in nearby areas to the new system. In addition to the new command, here’s the full list of changes that are coming to the game:

• Swamp draugr spawner location fix to prevent draugrs from spawning inside stones
• Lox pet-sfx fix
• Torches in locations should no longer support constructions
• Dolmen location stone size fix
• New terrain modification system
• Terrain-modification priority changed (Terrain modifications in an area should load before buildings, only applies to the new terrain modification system)
• World loading tweaks (to fix issues with ships and buildings getting damaged while loading)
• Stop server list download when leaving the start menu (to decrease network bandwidth usage)
• Lowered the amount of stone required to Raise ground using the hoe

If you’re looking to switch things up in the game, a new mod lets you add 6 new character classes. Additionally, a VR mod is also in beta stage, so the game still has a lot going for it.

About Valheim

Developed by Iron Gate AB, Valheim is an online open-world Survival craft co-op game. Here, players will control dead Vikings and fight Odin’s ancient enemies and monsters.

In order to enter paradise, players will have to please Odin and prove their worth to the allfather.

The journey will not be easy as at every step, the danger of supernatural entities will loom. Players will have to venture out, explore various landforms, craft, and get stronger.