Originally posted by Ravelli:

Thank you all for your kind and useful answers. I think I shall wait a little for this game, although I´ll get it at some point for sure

I'm on the same page as you. I will probably still get this game but I am strictly a solo player and yeah I prefer very much a world with NPCs.

Thank you all for your kind and useful answers. I think I shall wait a little for this game, although I´ll get it at some point for sure

Tamed animals don't go through portals with you.

If you use mods there is one that will teleport tamed creatures that are acompaning you so if having a companion along is that important mods are something to think about.

I can relate to feeling that Valheim is very empty when playing solo.

There was a roadmap upon release of EA. Devs quickly changed their mind once they realized how popular the game is and changed the road map drastically. Somehow their original plan of what they could do as a small team changed once they became popular.

1: Yes, they regularly update the roadmap and post screenshots of upcoming content. We've got "The Cult of the Wolf" update coming in Q1 2022 and the long awaited Mistlands update in Q2 or Q3. I get most of my Valheim update info 3rd hand, but I'm sure someone will post a link to the official news site below.

2: No, there's no plans that I know of to add NPCs in the future (except for Haldor of course). But you can tame wolves and lox to keep you company and fight alongside you :)

Roadmap is evolving, next major update will be Mistlands (completely new biome to compliment the existing 5 finished biomes.) On a path the reach 9 total completed biomes. Smaller updates to be released between biomes updates (instance based dungeons in the mountain biomes expected early 2022. )

Expect at least 2 years of further development, be happily surprised if it's less (or only slightly more) - just MHO

oh yeah , there are already "companions" in the game that you can control. They will guard you, they will fight for you, they will follow you, and they will die for you.

Will you be able to install an NPC shop keeper or wood cutter? Probably not, but just an educated guess.

You can currently tame 2 star wolves for companions and they hit very hard. Best not to feed them when they are hungry, if using them as companions, feed them after they take damage to rejuvenate their health. You can also tame lox, which you can ride. They will also protect you, hit exceptionally hard and have a lot of health. I currently play solo, and am too busy to feel lonely ...