If you’re a New World player who held off on buying the Rise of the Angry Earth expansion, Amazon Games just made you a very happy adventurer. In a surprise announcement coinciding with the launch of the game’s massive new update, Season 10: Nighthaven, the developers have made the entire Rise of the Angry Earth expansion completely free for all owners of the base game on PC.
This is a huge move that effectively unifies the entire player base, ensuring everyone has access to the same content, from level caps and gear scores to the new zones and features. For a community that was previously split between expansion owners and base game players, this is a welcome and unexpected change that could breathe new life into the MMO.
What’s the Catch? (There Isn’t One)
This move is as straightforward as it sounds. If you own the base game of New World on PC but never purchased the expansion, you now own it. The content will be automatically added to your account with the Season 10 update. There are no strings attached.
But what if you just recently bought the expansion? Don’t worry, Amazon has you covered. Anyone who purchased Rise of the Angry Earth within the last 30 days (before October 13, 2025) will receive an automatic refund through Steam. This is a genuinely player-friendly move designed to get everyone on the same page for the game’s next chapter.
Welcome to Nighthaven: A Whole New World of Content
Making the expansion free is a huge deal because it unlocks a massive amount of content for all players. This coincides with the launch of Season 10: Nighthaven, which introduces an entirely new zone to explore. Here’s a quick look at what all players now have access to:
- Nighthaven Zone: A huge, vertical new zone filled with towering castles, creepy spider caves, and new enemy factions like the vampire-themed Oopier and werewolf-like Burlar.
- Mounts: The ability to traverse Aeternum much faster on your own customizable mount.
- The Flail: A new weapon type that combines arcane magic with melee combat.
- Artifact Gear: A new tier of powerful gear with unique perks to hunt for.
- Increased Level and Gear Score: The level cap is raised to 65 and the gear score cap to 700.
- New Dungeons and Raids: Including replayable, procedurally generated Catacombs and the new Isle of Night raid.
A Smart Move for the Future of New World
The community reaction has been a mix of surprise and excitement. While some who bought the expansion at launch are a little surprised to see it go free just a year later, the overall sentiment is positive. A unified player base is healthier for any MMO. It means no one gets left behind, and the developers can create new content without worrying about splitting the community.
This decision signals that Amazon Games is serious about the long-term health of New World and is willing to make bold moves to keep the community engaged. It’s the perfect time for lapsed players to jump back in and for new players to see everything the game has to offer.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is the Rise of the Angry Earth expansion really free?
- Yes, as of October 13, 2025, the expansion is now included for free for all PC players who own the base New World game.
- What if I just bought the expansion recently?
- If you purchased the expansion in the 30 days prior to October 13, 2025, you will receive an automatic refund from Steam within a few days.
- What new content does this unlock?
- You’ll get access to the Nighthaven zone, mounts, the Flail weapon, the increased level cap, and all other content from the expansion and Season 10.
- Do I need to do anything to claim the free expansion?
- No, it will be automatically added to your account when you download the Season 10 update.
- Does this apply to the new console version, New World: Aeternum?
- No, this change is specifically for PC players who owned the original base game. The console version, New World: Aeternum, already includes all content from the start.
- What is Season 10: Nighthaven?
- It is the latest seasonal update for New World, which launched on October 13 and introduced the new Nighthaven zone, a new Season Pass, raids, dungeons, and more.
Conclusion
Amazon Games just rolled out the welcome mat for every single New World player. By making its major expansion free, the studio has removed the biggest barrier to entry for its latest content and sent a clear message that they are committed to growing the game’s community. Whether you’re a seasoned veteran or a player who left Aeternum long ago, there has never been a better time to journey back. The shores of Nighthaven are open to all.