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Deep Rock Galactic is an unexpectedly big game, and only growing bigger. The game already had over three million players, and gained a big player base boost with Deep Rock Galactic's PS5 release.
That being said, it's one thing to get a significant influx of players. It's another thing to keep them playing. Long-term support is important for multiplayer game development, funded by DLC and Deep Rock Galactic's seasonal events.
One of the ways to ensure player retention is to allow for customization. Making the player's character and gear feel special creates a sense of positive investment. Deep Rock Galactic achieves this through customizable pickaxe parts.
Buying Pickaxe Parts Through DLC
Out of the three ways to get pickaxe parts, purchasing them directly through the game's DLC packs is the easiest and most direct. There are six DLC packs that include pickaxe parts and skins: The Supporter Upgrade, The Dark Future Pack, The MegaCorp Pack, The Roughneck Pack, the Dawn of The Dread Pack, and the Rival Tech Pack. At the time of writing, the Supporter Upgrade is $14.99 USD, while each of the others is $7.99 USD.
Finding Pickaxe Parts Through Lost Packs
Lost Packs are a roll of the dice. Deep Rock Galactic's levels are randomly generated, and each level has a random chance of spawning a Lost Pack, the remaining equipment of a dead miner.
While this doesn't affect the packs' contents, they're more likely to spawn in longer missions. Short missions have a one in ten chance, medium missions have a one in six chance, and long missions have a one in three chance.
Players can find lost packs by listening for the beeping it gives off or finding a pink star on the terrain scanner. Each player gets gold, a crafting material, and either a pickaxe part or an armor paint job when the pack is found.
Earning Pickaxe Parts Through Prestige Assignments.
Assignments are Deep Rock Galactic's pre-set mission chains. Prestige assignments are four mission assignments that always end with cosmetic items as a reward.
Prestige assignments are locked behind player rank. Heavy Duty is unlocked at Rank 5, Chasm-Borne Cliffhanger is unlocked at Rank 20, Gadgeteer's Favorite is unlocked at Rank 30, Reaper's Claw is unlocked at Rank 50, and Drift Crusher is unlocked at Rank 70. The previous prestige assignment must be completed before the next one can be accessed.
Deep Rock Galactic is available for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.