The co-op climbing hit Peak has received its first major public beta update for July 2025 with Patch 0.8.d, bringing a much-needed mix of quality-of-life improvements, gameplay balance, and crucial bug fixes. Developed by Aggro Crab and Landfall, Peak has rapidly climbed the Steam charts since its June 16 release, selling over 5 million copies in under a month. But with rapid growth came technical issues—issues this patch now aims to address directly.
What Is the Beta Branch?
To resolve the problems caused by earlier updates like v1.6.a—particularly the game-breaking hardware issues—Peak launched a public beta test branch. This branch is an optional, early-access version of the game that delivers new features and experimental fixes before they’re finalized. It’s a smart way to involve the community in testing while safeguarding the stability of the main version.
The beta branch also generates different maps than the main branch. Since Peak’s map refreshes daily, this can give players access to unique terrain layouts for additional practice or exploration.
Highlights of Patch 0.8.d (July 2025)
Let’s dive into the standout changes and what they mean for players.
Major Features
- Reduced Camera Bobbing Option: Players who experience motion sickness now have an option to reduce camera sway in the settings. While not a perfect solution due to the game’s physics-based nature, it’s a welcome start.
- Offline Play Pause Button: A long-requested feature, you can now pause the game during offline solo sessions.
- New Items at Crash Site
- Flying Disc: Functions similarly to the coconut—throw it hard enough and it can bonk things.
- Binoculars: Straightforward in function, offering a clearer view of distant terrain.
- Biome-Specific Music Enhancements: Each biome now features its own sunrise and sunset music, enhancing immersion as you progress through different environmental zones.
Gameplay Balance Adjustments
- Blowgun Removed in Solo Play: Since it’s only useful in multiplayer, it won’t clutter your inventory during solo runs anymore.
- Anti-Rope Cannon Updated: Now completely weightless and unaffected by gravity, making it easier to carry. Its icon and visuals were also updated for clarity.
- Bookworm Badge Easier to Earn: Guidebook scrolls now spawn in chronological order, cutting down the grind and making badge collection more logical.
Critical Bug Fixes
No More Winning While Dead: Previously, players could glitch past the PEAK and be declared winners even if they were dead. That loophole is now sealed—the game checks both your location and life status before granting a win.
Speedrun Achievement Synced: Run time now syncs to the host’s clock in co-op, preventing frustrating discrepancies in speedrun completion times.
Ticks Reworked: Players can no longer get stacked with multiple ticks at once, making parasite encounters more manageable.
Napberry Plant Restored: This item now works correctly again in-game.
Campfire Lighting Bug (Another Attempt): A rare issue where the campfire could not be lit has been targeted again with an additional potential fix.
Explosive Spore Crash Fix: Visual effects intensity has been reduced to minimize crashes triggered by explosions. Feedback is still welcome.
Revive & Spectator Bug: Fixed an issue where the screen would turn permanently black if a player was revived while switching spectate targets.
Chain Launcher Spawn Bug: Resolved a bug where the chain launcher sometimes spawned broken and didn’t function.
Achievement Tracking Fixes
- Badge Feeding Logic Corrected: Items fed to other players no longer incorrectly count as eaten by the feeder.
This fixes progress tracking for Mycology, Forager, and Gourmand badges.
- Random Achievement Failure Fix: Achievements that failed to trigger for no apparent reason should now work correctly.
- Gourmand Badge Now Requires Cooking: Items must now be cooked before eating to count toward the badge, aligning with intended gameplay.
Minor Fixes
- Removed access to internal cinematic camera.
- Guidebook no longer stays visible on your back in first-person when stored.
- Piton placement now updates stamina weight correctly.
- Lava-incinerated rope spools no longer soft-lock player controls.
- Push-to-talk now appears in gamepad control settings.
How to Join the Beta Branch
Peak’s beta version is open to all players on PC. You can opt into the beta branch through Steam and gain early access to new features and experimental fixes. The developers strongly encourage players—especially Scouts—to help test new builds and report bugs.
What Makes Peak Special?
For those new to the title, Peak is a co-op physics-based climbing game where you play as stranded scouts trying to survive and scale a procedurally changing mountain. The game includes:
- 4 rotating biomes with unique hazards
- Daily map refresh, offering a new island layout every 24 hours
- Multiplayer support for up to four players via Steam invites
- Survival mechanics like stamina, injuries, and cooking
- Badges and cosmetics as long-term progression rewards
The gameplay is intentionally unforgiving but deeply satisfying—requiring cooperation, adaptability, and patience.
Related Guides You Might Like:
- PEAK Lone Wolf Badge Guide: Solo Escape Tips & Wolf Ears
- Pirate’s Compass PEAk: How to Find, Use, and Loot Smarter
- How to Get the Anti Rope Cannon in PEAK – Location, Uses & Tips
- PEAK Frost Guide: How to Survive and Avoid Stamina Drain
- fdaytalk.com/mycology-badge-peak/
Patch 0.8.d is a solid step toward stabilizing Peak while laying the groundwork for future content. By fixing critical bugs (especially the bizarre “win while dead” scenario) and making the game more accessible with options like reduced camera bobbing, Aggro Crab and Landfall show they’re listening closely to community feedback.
With the beta branch offering unique maps and early testing opportunities, there’s no better time to climb. Play Now!
