We keep getting questions about updates and whether or not they require a restart. We'll keep working to broadcast this -- but no update *ever* requires an restart. We would never release an update that invalidates anyone's saved game -- that would be terrible thing to do and completely unacceptable, Early Access or not. So, play on!

Of course, some features and story content may not be available if you have a saved game in the later years, but there is no force restart, ever.