MINTROCKET has released a new “Developer Dive” video for DAVE THE DIVER, reflecting on 2025 and sharing studio updates, including a deep dive of information on the downloadable content “In the Jungle,” which is due out in early 2026.
Here are the details:
■ Downloadable Content “In the Jungle”
Following the gameplay sneak peek as part of November’s Xbox Partner Preview, Mintrocket reveals that the next downloadable content—the largest story expansion yet—will launch with approximately 10 hours of content. Much of this new adventure introduces fresh, surprising mechanics and systems that branch boldly away from the base game and previous downloadable contents.
In “In the Jungle,” Dave heads into freshwater as he embraces new responsibilities and challenges, including befriending the locals of his and a friend’s new home base: a quaint jungle village brimming with opportunity… and just a splash of danger.
The Village
Welcome to Utara, a jungle village where time flows in real-time. Here, Dave can spend his days freely diving underwater, gathering fruits and resources—and, naturally, building relationships with the locals by completing tasks and side quests.
As ever, Dave finds himself surrounded by potential friends (and future customers) whose trust and patronage must be earned. As relationships deepen, so too do the rewards, unlocking new opportunities throughout Utara and creating ripple effects that extend all the way to Bancho’s restaurant business.
The Restaurant
One of “In the Jungle’s” biggest departures from the base game is the introduction of Bancho Grill, a brand-new restaurant in Utara featuring a fully cooked freshwater menu.
Unlike Bancho Sushi, where movement was limited, Dave can now move freely throughout the Grill, serving customers across multiple areas rather than a single horizontal plane. As Dave’s bonds with villagers grow, they’ll begin visiting Bancho Grill as diners, making the restaurant a key hub, and a vital link, between Dave and the village community.
Systems and Mechanics
This time around, Dave dives into a massive freshwater lake instead of the Blue Hole—one packed with new aquatic life, unexpected cuisine options, and plenty of lurking danger. New waters demand new tools, and Mintrocket revealed Dave’s latest piece of gear: the Jungle Gun. This versatile weapon can freely transform into net guns, shotguns, snipers, or regular guns, allowing Dave to adapt on the fly and giving players the freedom to experiment with their preferred combat styles.
Combined with a shift from fully horizontal movement to a more free-flowing isometric view, along with real-time progression, Dave will need to carefully balance priorities and make smarter use of space and time. Expect new minigames with friends, jungle-specific adventures, and a wide variety of activities that benefit Bancho Grill, or Utara as a whole.
Rounding out today’s Dev Dive, Mintrocket also revealed plans to complete Dave’s multi-platform expedition by bringing the game to mobile platforms together with a partner. DAVE THE DIVER on mobile won’t be a simple port—instead, the game will be fully optimized and redesigned to perform seamlessly on mobile. One example shared in the vlog is the ability to tilt mobile devices to pour tea. DAVE THE DIVER will launch on mobile devices first in China, and globally thereafter later in 2026.
