Will my Early Access save or character carry over to Beyond the Dome's 1.0 release?
Not automatically — the save database changed with 1.0, and only specific saved characters can be brought forward.
No, not directly. Long-time players discussing the June 17, 2026 global launch on Steam's own forums confirmed that regular Early Access save files don't load in the 1.0 release, because the underlying save database changed with the update. One player specifically warned newcomers still in Early Access right before launch to hold off starting a fresh run they cared about, since it wouldn't carry forward once 1.0 shipped.
There is a narrower path: the game supports bringing forward what it calls "Imprinted Characters" through a dedicated character-import process bundled with the 1.0 release, rather than a full save-file transfer. Expect some minor NPC relationship data to reset in the process. If you have a specific character from Early Access you want to keep, look for that import option rather than trying to load your old save directly.
If you're starting fresh with the 1.0 / Beyond the Dome release, none of this applies to you — it only matters if you played during Early Access and want continuity with a specific prior character.
Sources: Steam Community discussion — "Any English speaking people playing?", Steam Community discussion — importing an Early Access character.