You can always turn off updates or dial back the game version you are playing to the last version that worked with any associated save. What you are asking for is already in place.

Since they are still in the process of adding and changing content, they will probably recommend updating for some time now. Probably through mid 2025 at least.

To play for months, select a specific version like 1.1, instead of "latest experimental".

Originally posted by Jaxom:

Originally posted by SleepWalker:

Uh... i went into the settings and chose a previous alpha and WOW I was able to play it. Without internet, without updating. That's how I just spent 3 months of playing alpha 19, without having to update the game once.

Well that's fantastic, but in FOUR months when I want to continue my game, what then perhaps? Hence my OP. Seriously.... READ what I requested..

They have betas still in the list from 8 years ago and you're worried that 4 months is going to see a major current version suddenly disappear? C'mon. Go into the beta and select 1.1 and stop complaining about this nothing burger. You can play 1.1 for the next decade if you wish with your saved game fully ripe and preserved. Even if your game automatically updated to 1.2 (which it wouldn't since it is an experimental beta itself atm) you could then go into the list and choose 1.1 to be redownloaded and your save would be there waiting for you.

The advice you've been given is the correct advice. Going into Steam and toggling automatic updates to off sounds like exactly the peace of mind you need.

Originally posted by JimmyIowa:

Since they are still in the process of adding and changing content, they will probably recommend updating for some time now. Probably through mid 2025 at least.

NAH! The point is a "Starting A New Game" should NOT be required when update is released past v1.0. EVER.
The update SHOULD be compatible. But devs deny that.

Originally posted by Jaxom:

NAH! The point is a "Starting A New Game" should NOT be required when update is released past v1.0. EVER.

It's not. You can install a specific version, like 1.1, and not get automatic updates.

But the fact is, selecting "latest experimental" or "none" means "give me the latest updates". And as I said, they will probably continue recommending to start a new game.

Originally posted by Jaxom:

Originally posted by JimmyIowa:

Since they are still in the process of adding and changing content, they will probably recommend updating for some time now. Probably through mid 2025 at least.

NAH! The point is a "Starting A New Game" should NOT be required when update is released past v1.0. EVER.
The update SHOULD be compatible. But devs deny that.

Your point of view is flawed. Your standards would necessarily prevent many of the types of content updates that most players want to see added to the game. It is perfectly acceptable for an update to require a restart as long as the previous version is maintained allowing players to continue their existing saves. This is done all the time in the industry which it would not be if what you state was the actual standard.

Even on console Microsoft and Sony allow updates that require a brand new save as long as the current save is preserved and opting into the new update that would break saves is optional and not forced.

You can remain on 1.1 indefinitely. There is no need for a restart once 1.2 comes out as the stable public build. Many people have successfully continued their existing saves with 1.2 while some have reported problems. You can roll the dice and download the experimental and see if your save works or you can turn off auto updates in Steam and remain on 1.1 until you are ready to start a new game. Even then you can start your new game on 1.1 again or decide to switch to whatever the current stable build will be.

Honestly, you were asking for a way to do exactly this in the last paragraph of your OP and it exists in exactly the way YOU claimed would be acceptable to you.

Bonus!

4) If you come home from work and you see your game already queued to be updated and you can't press play because it wants to update right click on the game (instead of clicking update) and select properties and then betas and then 1.1 stable from the list.

5) If you come home from work and you see your game already queued to be updated and you panic and hit update and it updates to 1.2, simply right click on the game in your library, select properties, betas, and 1.1 stable from the list and it will revert to the version you are wanting.

This thread has run its course, and had the expected outcome. Please avoid trolling people.

Locking the thread