{
  "schemaVersion": "1.3",
  "id": "valheim",
  "slug": "valheim",
  "product": "Valheim",
  "title": "Valheim",
  "job": "Is the date real, do they need to spend, what can they skip.",
  "lastUpdated": "2026-09-09",
  "timezoneNote": "1.0 / Switch 2 / PS5 wave 9 September 2026. Steam EA and Xbox Game Preview already live; Sep 9 is 1.0 + console debuts + full crossplay.",
  "lifecycle": {
    "postedAt": "2026-09-07",
    "announcedPlatformReleases": [
      {
        "platform": "Nintendo Switch 2",
        "date": "2026-09-09",
        "sourceIds": [
          "nintendo-store",
          "coffee-stain",
          "valheim-news"
        ]
      },
      {
        "platform": "PlayStation 5",
        "date": "2026-09-09",
        "sourceIds": [
          "coffee-stain",
          "valheim-news",
          "playstation-store"
        ]
      },
      {
        "platform": "Xbox Series X|S",
        "date": "2026-09-09",
        "notes": "Leaves Game Preview → 1.0",
        "sourceIds": [
          "coffee-stain",
          "valheim-news",
          "xbox-store"
        ]
      },
      {
        "platform": "Xbox One",
        "date": "2026-09-09",
        "notes": "Leaves Game Preview → 1.0",
        "sourceIds": [
          "coffee-stain",
          "valheim-news",
          "xbox-store"
        ]
      },
      {
        "platform": "PC (Steam)",
        "date": "2026-09-09",
        "notes": "Leaves Early Access → 1.0; Mac/Linux included",
        "sourceIds": [
          "coffee-stain",
          "valheim-news",
          "steam"
        ]
      },
      {
        "platform": "Mac",
        "date": "2026-09-09",
        "sourceIds": [
          "coffee-stain",
          "valheim-news"
        ]
      },
      {
        "platform": "Linux",
        "date": "2026-09-09",
        "sourceIds": [
          "coffee-stain",
          "valheim-news"
        ]
      }
    ]
  },
  "disclosure": {
    "text": "As an Amazon Associate, NeedFlag earns from qualifying purchases."
  },
  "sources": [
    {
      "id": "nintendo-store",
      "label": "Nintendo store — Valheim Switch 2",
      "url": "https://www.nintendo.com/us/store/products/valheim-switch-2/"
    },
    {
      "id": "coffee-stain",
      "label": "Coffee Stain — Valheim release date reveal",
      "url": "https://coffeestain.com/news/valheim-release-date-reveal/"
    },
    {
      "id": "valheim-news",
      "label": "Valheim.com — Valheim has a release date",
      "url": "https://valheim.com/news/valheim-has-a-release-date-/"
    },
    {
      "id": "valheim-switch2",
      "label": "Valheim.com — Valheim is coming to Switch 2",
      "url": "https://valheim.com/news/valheim-is-coming-to-switch-2-/"
    },
    {
      "id": "steam",
      "label": "Steam — Valheim",
      "url": "https://store.steampowered.com/app/892970/Valheim/"
    },
    {
      "id": "xbox-store",
      "label": "Xbox Store — Valheim",
      "url": "https://www.xbox.com/en-US/games/store/valheim/9NCBL78CG9N7"
    },
    {
      "id": "playstation-store",
      "label": "PlayStation Store — Valheim concept",
      "url": "https://store.playstation.com/en-us/concept/10014397"
    },
    {
      "id": "nintendo-microsd-express",
      "label": "Nintendo Support — microSD Express compatibility",
      "url": "https://en-americas-support.nintendo.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/68425"
    },
    {
      "id": "ms-catalog-valheim",
      "label": "Microsoft Display Catalog — Valheim",
      "url": "https://www.xbox.com/en-US/games/store/valheim/9NCBL78CG9N7"
    }
  ],
  "official": [
    {
      "id": "launch-date",
      "label": "Launch date",
      "value": "9 September 2026",
      "status": "confirmed",
      "notes": "1.0 / multiplat wave including Switch 2 and PS5 debuts.",
      "lastChecked": "2026-09-07",
      "sourceIds": [
        "nintendo-store",
        "coffee-stain",
        "valheim-news"
      ]
    },
    {
      "id": "platforms",
      "label": "Launch platforms",
      "value": "PC (Steam), Linux, Mac, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2; full crossplay. Not Nintendo-only. Switch 1 not supported.",
      "status": "confirmed",
      "lastChecked": "2026-09-07",
      "sourceIds": [
        "coffee-stain",
        "valheim-news",
        "nintendo-store",
        "steam",
        "xbox-store",
        "playstation-store"
      ]
    },
    {
      "id": "publisher",
      "label": "Studio / publisher",
      "value": "Iron Gate / Coffee Stain",
      "status": "confirmed",
      "lastChecked": "2026-09-07",
      "sourceIds": [
        "coffee-stain",
        "valheim-news",
        "nintendo-store"
      ]
    },
    {
      "id": "crossplay",
      "label": "Crossplay",
      "value": "Full crossplay for the 1.0 wave",
      "status": "confirmed",
      "lastChecked": "2026-09-07",
      "sourceIds": [
        "coffee-stain",
        "valheim-news"
      ]
    },
    {
      "id": "esrb-descriptors",
      "label": "ESRB descriptors",
      "value": "Blood, Crude Humor, Use of Alcohol, Violence; Users Interact",
      "status": "confirmed",
      "lastChecked": "2026-09-09",
      "sourceIds": [
        "nintendo-store"
      ]
    },
    {
      "id": "price",
      "label": "Standard price",
      "value": "$29.99",
      "status": "confirmed",
      "notes": "USD.",
      "lastChecked": "2026-09-09",
      "sourceIds": [
        "nintendo-store",
        "xbox-store",
        "steam"
      ]
    },
    {
      "id": "esrb-category",
      "label": "ESRB rating",
      "value": "T",
      "status": "confirmed",
      "lastChecked": "2026-09-09",
      "sourceIds": [
        "ms-catalog-valheim",
        "xbox-store"
      ]
    }
  ],
  "media": {
    "trailer": {
      "label": "Official trailer",
      "status": "confirmed",
      "kind": "youtube",
      "youtubeId": "eWULkdcaR5o",
      "pageUrl": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eWULkdcaR5o",
      "lastChecked": "2026-09-07",
      "sourceIds": [
        "nintendo-store",
        "coffee-stain"
      ]
    },
    "still": {
      "label": "Official still",
      "src": "/media/valheim/official-still.jpg",
      "credit": "Nintendo",
      "pageUrl": "https://www.nintendo.com/us/store/products/valheim-switch-2/",
      "lastChecked": "2026-09-07",
      "sourceIds": [
        "nintendo-store"
      ]
    }
  },
  "decisions": [
    {
      "id": "buy-now-set",
      "item": "Buy-now set",
      "verdict": "empty",
      "rationale": "Nothing currently earns a yes. Empty buy slots are intentional. No catalog. No affiliate slots until a line is a yes.",
      "lastChecked": "2026-09-09",
      "sourceIds": [],
      "affiliate": null
    },
    {
      "id": "game",
      "item": "Valheim ($29.99)",
      "verdict": "hold",
      "rationale": "Confirmed Standard at $29.99 across Switch 2, Xbox, and Steam listings.",
      "lastChecked": "2026-09-09",
      "sourceIds": [
        "nintendo-store",
        "xbox-store",
        "steam",
        "coffee-stain"
      ],
      "affiliate": null
    },
    {
      "id": "switch-2-microsd-express-256",
      "item": "Switch 2 Samsung microSD Express 256 GB",
      "verdict": "yes",
      "rationale": "Switch 2 will not run games from regular microSD. Digital installs beyond internal need Express.",
      "lastChecked": "2026-09-07",
      "sourceIds": [
        "nintendo-microsd-express"
      ],
      "affiliate": {
        "present": true,
        "href": "https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0F3VTCZK8?tag=needflag-20",
        "note": "Amazon Associates."
      }
    }
  ],
  "openHoles": []
}