Gameloft showed how the merfolk form works in The Keepsake Sea during the Disney Dreamlight Valley 2026 Showcase, from how players unlock it to what it changes about fishing, gathering, and decorating. The expansion arrives November 18 on all platforms.
Unlocking and customizing the form
The form starts at Dazzle Beach. In the presentation from lead game designer David and level designer Mylène, players find a mysterious whirlpool there that acts as a gateway beneath the sea, and jumping into it unlocks the merfolk form. In the later playthrough, Allysia and Vi from Gameloft explained that players first visit Ursula in her cave at Dazzle Beach, who gives them the power to transform.
Customization covers ears, fins, arms, tops, and tail patterns, each with its own color options. In the playthrough, the pair built a koi-themed mermaid, picking the Splashed Abstract tail pattern in white, red, and orange, then ruffled fins. “I love that you can change the colors at each one of these fins,” one of them said, noting that the fin list ran longer than they expected.
Swimming anywhere in the valley
Once unlocked, the form is not limited to the new area. Players can swim on the surface of any body of water: in The Keepsake Sea, in the main valley, and in previous expansion worlds. Swimming also changes fishing. “Simply approach fishing ripples and dive under to get the fish with just one tap,” the playthrough explained, and resources can be collected passively along the way.
Underwater areas
The Keepsake Sea has several underwater areas. The first is reached through a guardian figure in the water that looks like a statue but is, according to the playthrough, a living magical being who watches over the sea. Underwater, players gather materials such as seaweed for crafting and can keep talking to villagers and interacting with the environment while swimming.
The team stressed that diving has no pressure attached. “There are never any timers, and you never fear running out of air,” according to the playthrough. Players rise or sink with a single button, and a surge ability sends the avatar quickly in the direction the camera points, clearing obstacles such as bubbles.
Decorating works underwater too. Special platforms let players raise or lower decoration items and buildings to different heights, and all existing decoration items can be placed in these areas. Photo Mode and Dream Snaps are both available in merfolk form.
Still unknown
The showcase did not say how many underwater areas each of the three new biomes holds, or how many customization options are included with the expansion and how many come later.
Still unanswered
- How many underwater areas each of the three new biomes contains.
