Windrose developer Kraken Express has detailed Ashlands, the first major content update for its co-op pirate survival game, in a July 1 Steam devblog. The update adds a fourth volcanic biome, new ship classes, and expanded story and building content, and the studio confirmed it is exploring a wind system. No release window was given.
Windrose has spent its early access life as an unusually forgiving survival game, a co-op pirate adventure where the sea offers little resistance and your ship goes wherever you point it at full speed. On July 1, developer Kraken Express posted a devblog laying out Ashlands, the game’s first major content update, still early in development and openly described as subject to change. Among the new biome, ships, and story plans sat one detail that stands out in a game with wind in its name: the studio is now considering adding wind. What follows is what Kraken Express has actually confirmed, and what it has left firmly in the maybe column.
A Fourth Biome Built on Volcanic Ash
The centrepiece of the update is Ashlands, a complete fourth biome that, as the name suggests, was shaped by volcanic eruptions long ago. Kraken Express describes a region of new islands carrying new enemies, items, resources, recipes, and points of interest, capped by a new and challenging boss. The studio also says it is experimenting with fresh biome mechanics, on the stated principle that every region should feel and play differently rather than reskin the same loop.
The narrative grows alongside the map. Both the main story and the side quests are set to expand in scope, with new factions entering the picture and the hunt for the Obols continuing; the next fragment is said to lie among the ruins of a long-forgotten Spanish colony. Kraken Express states that existing progress will carry over, so players will not be starting again to reach the new content.
New Ships, and the Question of Wind
Ships are getting attention too. The devblog lists more ship classes, with at least one arriving in Ashlands and more faction variants alongside it; the studio names the Brigantine, Fluyt, and Galleon as candidates, while noting that plans may change. Combat is slated for more care, and the AI is due for improvements, including NPC ships that sail in formations rather than steering back and forth in circles as they do now.
Then there is the wind. In a game called Windrose, sailing currently ignores the weather entirely, and the studio acknowledged the popular request to change that. “We’ll definitely be exploring this idea as well, and we originally intended to,” Kraken Express wrote, before adding a firm caveat: “we want it to be fun and simple. Windrose aims to be an adventure, without some of the more hardcore simulation aspects.” In other words, wind is on the table, but a system that punishes you for sailing into the breeze is not the goal.
Building, Bases, and No Date on the Horizon
For the base builders, Ashlands is set to bring new decorations, expanded building sets, and some quality-of-life improvements, along with a wider camp NPC system that the studio says was well received. More shanties are promised as well, which is the kind of detail that tells you where this game’s priorities sit.
What the devblog does not offer is a release date. Kraken Express says it will share more details, including an estimated release window, as development progresses, and earlier coverage indicated the update was likely at least six months away. Windrose launched into early access on April 14, 2026 at $29.99 and has since passed two million copies sold, so there is a sizeable crew waiting to see how much of this work-in-progress roadmap actually makes it to the water.
