Permafrost Wiki

Key facts

These facts come from the Steam store page, official posts and the publisher's press releases. Numbers that only exist in fan datamines are not listed here. Each topic links to a full guide further down.

SpaceRocket Games began as a team of three building a prototype in December 2022 and was founded in 2023. It has since grown to 15 people, and Permafrost is its first game. See Permafrost on Steam and the price page for store details.

Story and setting

The official Steam post called The Shattering describes how the world fell apart. The moon slipped from its path, the oceans rose, satellites drifted away and then the real cold arrived. When the moon finally broke apart, its fragments formed a ring that blocks the sun.

The game is set in 2035, ten years after the Shattering. Nations and systems are gone, leaving ice, ruins and scattered groups trying to rebuild. The action centers on the frozen remains of the city of Metropolis and the land around it.

You play as Rook, an engineer with the skills to rebuild but little experience in the wild. A radio signal from a long-lost friend called Icarus draws you north into the cold. The main goal is City Mall, deep inside the dangerous White Hell.

Main characters

The official Meet the Survivors post introduces the people you meet early in the story. Each one plays a role in your survival and in the wider conflict. These are the confirmed main characters.

• Rook — the player character, an engineer following a radio signal north.
• Icarus — Rook's long-lost friend, whose message starts the journey.
• Robyn Cane — the practical leader of Horizon who teaches you to survive.
• Mule — a wandering merchant who trades goods, secrets and tips.
• Anna Ivaschenko — leader of the Resistance against the Moon Cult.
• Logan Boyce — a ruthless scavenger boss at the Solar Facility.
• Skinwalker — a former cultist turned lone hunter at Hunter's Glade.

Several of these characters matter beyond the opening hours. The official post about Horizon says Robyn and Mule return later in the story, and the survivors post says Skinwalker knows the secrets of the White Hell. Siding with Anna gives you access to powerful survival technology.

Factions

Several groups have formed in the ruins of Metropolis, according to the official post on factions. Some value cooperation, others rely on discipline and old-world structures, and some see technology as humanity's last chance. One group believes the catastrophe was a message.

Scavenger factions include the tech-focused Technocrats and the nature-focused Tribals. Hostile groups include bandits and the mysterious Moon Cult, which has seized the Bunker. There are also ex-military survivors based at Crow's Nest and the Resistance led by Anna.

Lead producer Nico said in the Deep Dive trailer that each faction has its own identity, priorities and methods for surviving. The developers also promise choices that the world reacts to. Expect your relationships with these groups to shape the story.

Core systems

The store page sums up the game in five features: the cold as your true enemy, a frozen open world, progression gated by exploration, your dog, and 1–4 player co-op. Each system has its own guide on this site. Here is how they fit together.

• Cold — Body Warmth, Cold Zones, clothing and heaters; see how to stay warm.
• Survival meters — Body Warmth, Health, Hunger, Energy and Stamina, with no thirst; see how to get water.
• Food — hunting, skinning, traps and cooking; see where to find food.
• Crafting — blueprints, workbenches and tool tiers; see the crafting guide.
• Building — Wood, Scrap and Quality Metal tiers plus renovation; see base building.
• Dog — five breeds; it carries items, finds loot and warns of danger.
• Difficulty — Story, Survival or Custom world settings.

The dog is chosen at the start from Border Collie, Golden Retriever, Husky, Rottweiler and Shepherd. You rescue it early in the Bone Cave, and in co-op only the host gets it for now. Solo players always have it at their side.

How long is Permafrost?

In the official developer Q&A, the team said a player focused only on the main story can finish in around 8 hours. Exploring optional locations takes it to around 18 hours. Completionists can expect roughly 30 hours.

Those are story numbers, and the game is also a sandbox. You can keep building, hunting and exploring after the main quest. Early Access updates will add more content on top.

Early Access roadmap

The official roadmap lists four updates for Early Access. Together they add combat, crafting, tools and a whole new region. The Steam FAQ also plans more biomes, quests, NPCs, enemies, equipment and vehicles before 1.0.

1. Update 1 — combat animations, crafting and building quality of life, new firearms and clothing, and a map content update.
2. Update 2 — weapon parts in crafting, more firearms and more side quests.
3. Update 3 — the sledgehammer for demolishing obstacles.
4. Update 4 — the White Hell biome with new enemies, locations and story.

Official channels

The Steam FAQ names the official Discord as the main hub for the community. Steam news posts cover regions, mechanics and patches, and the Steam discussions are where the team answered questions during the tests. The Toplitz Productions YouTube channel hosts the official trailers.

The game also has official accounts on X, Instagram, Facebook and TikTok, and the publisher streams on Twitch. Console fans can follow the PlayStation Store page, which lists a PS5 version with no date yet. Links to the main channels are in the footer of every page.

This site is an independent fan wiki and is not affiliated with SpaceRocket Games or Toplitz Productions. We cite sources on every page and mark playtest reports separately from official facts. If you spot an error, please contact us.