Overview[]
Open World is a game mode offering untimed, permanent settlements available to prospectors. They offer a more persistent Icarus experience, including exploration, combat, SMPL3 missions, and Prospect level missions (Operations) via the CONT4CT Device and other future mission boards.
Locations[]
Open Worlds can be started in both Olympus, Styx, and Prometheus.
Details[]
Open Worlds persist, unlike missions, so you can return to your dropship and leave at any time, then return to re-drop in the originally selected drop zone. If you leave on the dropship, all CRAFTED and GATHERED items you have on your person will be destroyed, while all WORKSHOP items that you brought down yourself will be returned to your loadout (unless you already reclaimed them with insurance). Returning to an Open World (by using the LOAD menu) will prompt you for a new Loadout, and drop you back into the same world, with any buildings, structures, and storage you left on the surface intact. If you return to character select and then RESUME or LOAD your Open World, you will simply resume from where you left off, rather than dropping in fresh. You can bring multiple characters into an Open World, and their loadouts are tracked separately.
Note: Once a drop location is selected during the world creation process, it cannot be changed; choose wisely.
Setting Up[]
New Open Worlds can be created from the character menu by clicking NEW and the OPEN WORLD button, then selecting a location. Afterward, a difficulty and drop zone can be selected, along with the name of the Open World prospect itself. This difficulty and drop zone is set for the lifetime of that specific Open World prospect - new difficulty and drop zone can be selected by making a new Open World.
Common Questions[]
- Q: Can I get Exotics in my Open World?
- A: Yes, you can get Exotics in Open World. Exotic deposits can be found across all maps, whereas Volatile Raw Exotic deposits can only be found in Prometheus Open Worlds. All veins have a yield of 100-300.
- Q: Do Exotic deposits/voxels and strange plants respawn over time?
- A: Every 3 hours of prospect time (on the 3-hour mark since the start time of your 'Time on Prospect' ie 3, 6, 9, etc), all depleted veins without extractors/harvesters attached will be replenished (in a new random location) during a special event, and radar scans will be cleared to allow you to find said new veins. Fresh cave Exotics voxels and Strange Plants also spawn at each 3-hour mark, regardless of whether a meteor event occurs. To view your "Time on Prospect," press 'I' and the time will be indicated below the list of detailed statistics on the right.
- Q: What do Enzyme Geysers in my Open World give?
- A: They grant Condensed Enzymes, which can be used to create decorative statues in the
Decoration Bench and 
Masonry Bench. They also grant 
Exotics after the first three activations per geyser. Fore more details, view this page.
- A: They grant Condensed Enzymes, which can be used to create decorative statues in the
- Q: Do resources respawn in Open Worlds?
- A: The Prototype Thumper can be used to replenish outdoor/cave minerals ( Iron Ore, Coal Ore, Sulfur, etc). A mechanism for respawning trees and shrubbery is in development and will be introduced in the future. SMPL3 quests from the CONT4CT Device can grant Fiber, Wood and other useful resources as well.
- A: The
- Q: How do I start an Operation in my Open World?
- A: You can start Operations in an Open World by using the CONT4CT Device. Remember to upgrade it with the Infrasonic Relay Upgrade and the Encrypted Satellite Upgrade to access higher-tier Operations (these will need to be dragged into the devices' inventory from your hotbar). The list of available Operations is limited to the Open World the player is in. Ex: Prospectors can only initiate Prometheus Operations in a Prometheus Open World.
- A: You can start Operations in an Open World by using the CONT4CT Device. Remember to upgrade it with the
- Q: Are there World Bosses in Open Worlds?
- A: Olympus only has the Sandworm, whereas Styx has the Alpha Wolf, Sandworm, and Scorpion World Bosses. Prometheus Open Worlds currently do not have any world bosses.
- Q: What happens to my Open World if I leave using my drop pod?
- A: Prospectors can leave their Open World using their drop pod to repair workshop items or to bring workshop items into an Open World. Buildings, mounts, and items crafted by the Prospector will remain and will be there once the Prospector returns. Note: items crafted on planet (tools, armor, etc) must be stored in a crate/bench as they will be destroyed if they are brought to Orbit.
- Q: Do I have to leave my Open World to start/join a different Prospect?
- A: No. As of December 8th, 2022, characters are no longer tied to Prospects and can be on several Prospects simultaneously. However, Workshop gear is tied to Prospects and cannot be used in another Prospect until the loadout is returned to Orbit.
- Q: Is there a downside to insuring workshop items in my Open World?
- A: No. Since there is no reward to detract from, insuring a loadout in an Open World is free, and it is highly recommended to do so as it will allow a Prospector to retrieve their items after 5 days if an item(s) was accidentally lost.
- Note: This is assuming that Operations are NOT done on the CONT4CT Device, as those are the exception, being affected by the insurance reduction. SMPL3 quests are not affected by the reduction, though.
- Note: This is assuming that Operations are NOT done on the
- A: No. Since there is no reward to detract from, insuring a loadout in an Open World is free, and it is highly recommended to do so as it will allow a Prospector to retrieve their items after 5 days if an item(s) was accidentally lost.
