The Tavern Keeper roadmap outlines Greenheart Games' development track through Early Access on Steam up to the full Version 1.0 launch. Following the game's Early Access debut on November 3, 2025, the studio planned four major milestone updates alongside the 1.0 release, expanding on the original three scenarios (Riverbottom, Halflington, and Gugamush) with new fantasy regions, management mechanics, and player-requested features.
Below is an overview of the roadmap milestones, what each update delivers, and what remains ahead.
| Roadmap Milestone | Update Title | Status / Window | Key Features & Content |
|---|---|---|---|
| Major Update 1 | A New Hue | Released (Q1 2026) | Color picker tool, extra campaign stories, Arcane Orders automatic stocking, Workshop sync, Steam Deck and controller support, collapsible UI. |
| Major Update 2 | Digging Deeper | Released (Q3 2026) | Domhain dwarven scenario, diggable multi-level cellars, ground expansions, foundation construction, shops, blacksmithing, desserts, earthquakes, staff duties. |
| Major Update 3 | Strut Your Staff | TBA | Deeper staff progression, skill training and upgrades, staff trait rebalancing, additional management controls, new stories. |
| Major Update 4 | Elf Help | TBA | Ertingale scenario with Elven staff, Deluxe Accommodation system (laundries, room service), high-tier guest management. |
| Full Launch | Version 1.0 Release | TBA | Meramin capital city level (Tavern Keeper's Guild headquarters), complete campaign finale, potential price adjustment. |
Major Update 1: A New Hue
The first major update on the roadmap, titled "A New Hue," launched in early 2026. While originally scoped primarily as a creative update focusing on a color picker tool and narrative additions, Greenheart Games expanded the patch to address major community feedback from launch week:
- Color Picker Tool: Expanded the Design Mode decorator toolkit, allowing fine-grained color customization across tavern furniture and decorative pieces.
- Arcane Orders: Added an automated inventory replenishment system via the Arcane Order Desk, reducing manual restocking tedium.
- Tavern Keeper Workshop Integration: Enabled players to share and download community furniture templates directly through the game client and the web workshop.
- Steam Deck and Controller Support: Introduced native gamepad bindings, 16:10 aspect ratio support to eliminate black bars on portable screens, and scalable UI tooltips.
- Simulation Optimization: Reworked core code loops to lower performance overhead in high-population taverns.
Major Update 2: Digging Deeper
Originally announced as "Delving with Dwarves" with a target for Q2 2026, the studio pushed the milestone to Q3 2026 to incorporate the community's most requested feature: multi-floor buildings. Renamed "Digging Deeper," this update delivered the game's largest architectural shift to date.
- Cellars and Multi-Level Building: Introduced stairs and the ability to dig basements under taverns across all campaign scenarios and Freeplay maps. Heat, smoke, and fires propagate across staircase levels, and furniture can be snapped directly underneath stairs.
- Tavern Expansions: Added purchasable ground-level expansions in Riverbottom, Halflington, and Domhain, alongside diggable sub-levels in Gugamush.
- Domhain Scenario: Opened the fourth campaign chapter set deep within the dwarven mountain kingdom, dealing with regional challenges such as earthquakes.
- Commercial Additions: Introduced dedicated shopkeeper counters for selling goods, blacksmithing stations for forging tools and weapons, and baking tables for preparing multi-step desserts.
- Staff Duties: Added granular role priority toggles, enabling players to assign specific jobs (such as prioritizing bar service over table orders or dedicated cooking over meal prep).
- Guild Level System: Allowed players to revisit earlier scenarios and upgrade older taverns to match higher star caps achieved in later chapters.
Upcoming Milestones: Update 3, Update 4, and Version 1.0
The remaining updates on the roadmap do not have fixed calendar dates, as Greenheart Games utilizes an Experimental Steam branch to refine balance and mechanics before general release.
Major Update 3: Strut Your Staff
The third major milestone focuses on the workforce management system. Planned additions include:
- Staff Skill Progression: Implementing on-the-job training and experience systems so employees improve their efficiency over time rather than remaining static.
- Trait Rebalancing: Adjusting negative and positive employee quirks to make hiring high-tier staff more economically viable across higher difficulty settings.
- Expanded Management Controls: Further options for role assignments, scheduling, and staff career paths.
- New Narrative Stories: Continuing the storybook RPG encounters narrated by Steven Pacey.
Major Update 4: Elf Help
The fourth update serves as the final milestone before full release, shifting focus to high-end hospitality:
- Ertingale Scenario: Introduces the Elven realm as a playable campaign and sandbox setting, featuring Elven staff.
- Deluxe Accommodation System: Expands beyond basic bed rentals to include luxury guest services, room service mechanics, and laundry facilities.
Version 1.0 Launch
The 1.0 full release will culminate in Meramin, the bustling fantasy capital city housing the Tavern Keeper's Guild headquarters. This scenario acts as the campaign climax, challenging players with complex patron demands and high-density operations. Greenheart Games has confirmed that while base pricing remains steady during Early Access, the retail price may increase when the game exits into Version 1.0.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will existing save files wipe when updates arrive?
Greenheart Games has stated they have no intention of resetting save games between updates or at full release. Major structural updates, such as the introduction of cellars in Update 2, were specifically engineered to migrate existing taverns without corrupting player progress.
How many scenarios will the finished campaign have?
The completed campaign will feature six distinct regions: Riverbottom, Halflington, Gugamush, Domhain, Ertingale, and Meramin.
Can you brew your own beer or send heroes on quests?
No. Official documentation states that Tavern Keeper focuses strictly on tavern operations, hospitality, interior layout, and internal personnel management. Brewing custom drinks and guild quest dispatching are not part of the game's design scope.
