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Drill Core just got its biggest content drop since launch. The Anniversary Update is live right now on PS5, Xbox, and PC, packing new contracts, a chill new way to play, and a handful of freebies to celebrate a year of digging.
What’s in the Anniversary Update
The headline addition is Escalated Contracts, which ramps up the difficulty and rewards for players who’ve already cleared the base game’s job list and want a tougher challenge. On the flip side, there’s a new Relaxed Mode for anyone who just wants to mine, build, and manage their operation without the usual pressure — a solid option if you’ve been bouncing off the game’s harder edges. The update also throws in end-of-game stats screens so you can actually see how your run went, free platform-specific skins as a thank-you to the community, and an x3 game speed option for players who’d rather blitz through the slower stretches of a contract.
Why this update matters
Anniversary updates are usually where you find out if a studio is still invested in a game a year after release, and this one signals Drill Core isn’t going anywhere. Escalated Contracts gives veteran players a reason to boot the game back up, while Relaxed Mode is clearly aimed at widening the audience to people who found the core loop too stressful. The x3 speed toggle is a small thing on paper, but it’s the kind of quality-of-life fix that quietly keeps a management-sim community happy long-term — nobody wants to sit through slow ticks once they’ve mastered the basics.
What to expect next
PS5, Xbox, and PC players can jump in today, but Switch owners will have to sit tight — the update is confirmed to be coming to that platform later, without a firm date yet. If you’re on Switch, keep an eye on official channels for a release window, since anniversary updates like this often land on the remaining platform within a few weeks to a couple of months.
FAQ
Is the Drill Core Anniversary Update out now? Yes, it’s live today on PS5, Xbox, and PC.
When is the update coming to Nintendo Switch? No exact date has been announced yet — it’s confirmed as “coming soon” for Switch.
What does Relaxed Mode change in Drill Core? It offers a lower-pressure way to play, letting you dig and build without the tougher demands of the standard contracts.
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