Quick answer
Yes, you can upgrade Active Matter editions after buying the Standard Edition. This matters if you want to try the extraction shooter first without committing to the higher-priced bundles immediately.
Standard players can move up to Advanced or Deluxe, while Advanced players can upgrade to Deluxe. The official store also lists an Elite Squad option that adds two Standard Edition keys for friends alongside Deluxe-level content.
Your edition changes starting gear, currency, storage, replicator capacity, cosmetics, and other convenience items. It does not lock or unlock different maps, modes, or core gameplay features. Every edition accesses the same Active Matter experience.
| Starting edition | Upgrade options | Main reason to upgrade |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | Advanced, Deluxe, Elite Squad where offered | More gear, Prime, storage, and crafting conveniences |
| Advanced | Deluxe, Elite Squad where offered | Add Deluxe cosmetics, expansions, and larger starting supplies |
| Deluxe | Elite Squad where offered | Receive two Standard Edition keys for friends |
| Former Premium | Automatically became Deluxe | Existing owners received the Deluxe upgrade at no extra charge |
How edition upgrades work
On Steam, edition upgrades are sold as downloadable content. The Advanced upgrade requires the Active Matter base game, and Steam bundles the Standard Edition with upgrade items for players who do not already own the game.
Developers have confirmed that players can upgrade later. If you own Standard, you do not need to abandon that purchase and buy a separate full edition just to continue upward. Buy the relevant upgrade through the storefront associated with your account.
The upgrade route is straightforward:
- Buy Standard if you only want game access and a modest starter package.
- Upgrade to Advanced when you want more starting supplies and the first storage and replicator expansions.
- Upgrade from Standard or Advanced to Deluxe for the largest package of currency, equipment, cosmetics, and permanent-looking account conveniences.
- Consider Elite Squad only if you specifically want two Standard Edition keys to give to friends.
| Storefront situation | Where to upgrade | Important detail |
|---|---|---|
| Steam purchase | Steam Store | Upgrade DLC is available for the base game |
| Gaijin Store purchase | Gaijin Store before account linking | The official FAQ confirms self-upgrades there |
| Linked Gaijin and Steam accounts | Steam Store | After linking, upgrades must be purchased through Steam |
| Xbox purchase | Xbox Store | Advanced and Deluxe upgrade add-ons are listed with the game |
Store pricing and availability can vary by platform, region, and promotions. Before purchasing, make sure the store page recognizes the edition already attached to your account. A bundle page may display the full Standard-plus-upgrade price to someone who has not yet purchased Standard.
What changes between editions
The editions primarily provide an earlier head start. They include Credits, one-time Prime, weapons, ammunition, armor, containers, backpacks, and other raid equipment. Higher editions also add storage and replicator queue expansions, recipes, backup weapons, and cosmetic items.
Credits are the standard currency used for weapons, ammunition, and equipment. Prime is a special currency earned through daily contracts and can be spent on items such as Credits, Monolith access levels, secure containers, and respawn beacons. Prime included with an edition is granted once.
| Edition | Credits | One-time Prime | Notable extras |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard | 25,000 | 300 | Starter weapons, equipment, ammunition, and a basic gear pack |
| Advanced | 60,000 | 1,300 | First storage expansion, first replicator queue expansion, scout drone recipe, backup weapon |
| Deluxe | 185,000 | 5,500 | Character shells, cosmetics, three storage expansions, two replicator expansions, vehicle and drone recipes |
| Elite Squad | Deluxe-level content | Deluxe-level amount | Two additional Standard Edition keys for friends |
Advanced offers a middle ground for players who value convenience but do not need every Deluxe cosmetic or large initial stockpile. Its extra storage and replicator queue expansion can be useful if you expect to spend substantial time managing loot and producing equipment.
Deluxe is the broadest individual edition. It includes the Reaper and Knight character shells, a Rust shell camouflage, an Anomalous Zone Veteran dog tag, extended armbands, gun camouflages, tactical beacons, and more starting inventory. It also grants recipes for an assault quad bike, robot dog, and scout drone.
None of these editions changes the game’s available content. Active Matter remains a hardcore online extraction shooter across its PvPvE, PvP, and dedicated PvE offerings regardless of which edition you own.
Bonus rules, cross-platform progress, and wipes
When you upgrade, do not expect duplicate copies of every prior bonus. The Deluxe store description states that players who already purchased Standard or Advanced receive the added currency and equipment after subtracting bonuses already included in their previous edition. Prime is specifically a one-time edition grant.
This means an upgrade is intended to fill the gap between your current package and the higher edition rather than duplicate the entire lower bundle. Review the current store page before buying if exact item quantities matter to you.
| Situation | What happens |
|---|---|
| Upgrade after Standard or Advanced | You receive additional rewards, excluding overlapping prior-edition bonuses |
| Prime from an edition | Granted once |
| Self-wipe | Edition content returns to your stash except crystallized Prime |
| Die during a raid | Non-personal weapons and equipment outside safe containers can be lost |
| Premium Edition owner | Upgraded and renamed to Deluxe automatically |
| Elite Squad refund after keys are redeemed | Redeemed friend keys are automatically deactivated |
Active Matter supports shared progress across platforms. Players who bought the early version through the Gaijin Store could claim a matching Steam edition by linking accounts during the stated claim period. The received Steam edition matches the Gaijin Store edition, although Elite Squad owners receive their own Steam bonuses without extra friend keys.
After linking a Gaijin account to Steam, edition upgrades must be completed through Steam. That detail is especially important if you started with the launcher version and later switched to Steam for shared progress.
Elite Squad is different from a normal content upgrade because it includes shareable Standard keys. If a purchaser later successfully requests a refund, any bonus Standard keys already activated by friends are deactivated. Do not treat those keys as permanent gifts until you know the original purchase will be kept.
FAQ
Active Matter can you upgrade editions after buying Standard?
Yes. Standard owners can upgrade later to Advanced or Deluxe, and the official materials also describe upgrading toward Elite Squad where that package is available.
Can Advanced Edition owners get Deluxe later?
Yes. Advanced can be upgraded to Deluxe. The Deluxe upgrade adds its higher-tier benefits while accounting for bonuses already included in the earlier edition.
Do higher editions include exclusive gameplay modes?
No. The editions differ in starting weapons, equipment, resources, storage, replicator capacity, recipes, and cosmetics. The available game content is otherwise the same.
Will I receive duplicate Prime when I upgrade?
No. Prime included with editions is awarded once. Higher-edition upgrade rewards also exclude overlapping bonuses from editions you already own.
Where should I upgrade after linking my Gaijin and Steam accounts?
Upgrade through Steam. Once the accounts are linked, the official guidance says edition upgrades are handled through the Steam Store.
What happened to Premium Edition?
Premium was upgraded and renamed Deluxe at launch. Existing Premium owners received the Deluxe improvements automatically and free of charge.