Dashing Through the Snow

We’re digging deeper into winter verisimilitude, which means that deep snow is coming to WolfQuest in the next patch! Snow so deep that animals make tracks as they move through it!
I’ve wanted to add this feature to the game for a long time, but the devil is in the details, creating many complications with animals of different sizes and various objects like meat chunks and collectible objects all needing to respond differently to deep snow. So it’s always been far down in the priority list. But this summer I brought in Raul Turcus, a Unity developer in Romania, to help with some things for the upcoming Lost River DLC -- and after finished that, I asked him to tackle the deep snow. As always, it was again more complicated than we’d thought, but it’s really coming together now. Today’s video shows how it looks -- in the game and under the hood.
Deep snow uses a technique called tessellation, which subdivides the triangles on the terrain, creating a much denser grid, which allows more detailed deformation of the rendered surface. Drawing so many more triangles does have a performance impact, and so deep snow will only be enabled on higher graphics quality levels (with several quality options to chose from on those).
EDIT: Deep snow will slow down animals and drain their stamina faster. The deeper the snow, the harder it is for them. Whenever there is fresh snow in the game, higher graphics settings will show the tracks (and the new running animation for the wolves). If you are playing with lower settings, you will still get the speed/stat effect (slower and stamina drain), but not these new visuals. So, everyone will be evenly matched in MP.
We’re still working on tweaks and polish but deep snow and animal tracks will be included in the next patch, v1.0.8p, which we expect to release in a few weeks.
________________________________________
The WolfQuest saga will continue! Stay tuned for more news in upcoming devblogs about it and other new features!
Once the game is completed on PC/Mac, we will turn our attention to other platforms.
We do not announce specific release dates. We will release them when they are ready.

[@kiorisadventures469]

Deep snow seems very fun I can picture the pups jumping through the snow like huskies following their parents

[@shanellemurrey9300]

That sounds adorable

[@GabeSaber-cool_guy]

Lol so cute.

[@willowbloomfield4402]

Aww

[@gummybear2253]

I’m imaginging this and uh it’s sooo cute

[@minkinns8438]

Okay now I need that

[@PalmKitty]

ahhh the wolf is so cute jumping through the snow! I do have a small idea, although im not sure how hard it would be to do. If the wolf sleeps, you could add a thing where the snow covers them and when the wolf gets up, it kind of jumps out of the snow and flings snow particles around. Just a idea! :)

[@PoloWolf47]

That would be so cute 😭 not just for deep snow, just when it snows on your wolf for hours it would be so cool if they have to shake it off, though I'd imagine it'd be fairly difficult to get right without it looking weird lol

[@Lyca_Furs]

What an adorable idea!

[@AccaliaR]

Love the idea! These are the kind of details that make people fall in love with the game

[@francheskadejesus1960]

Good idea

[@kc3376]

Love that idea so much so cute

[@ch4issy]

Could we maybe see the pouncing fox achievement again? It would nice to see foxes pouncing in the snow

[@minkinns8438]

Ooh yeah that'll be awesome

[@Comet_IsAfurry]

Ye

[@theRedneckqueenofTacticoolness]

I’m speechless. Truly, the ambition of this team to create something authentic just for the sake of it instead of their goals being strictly profit oriented is just... I’m tearing up a bit.

[@Beeheart8]

This is amazing, tho I feel like we should get snow that gets on the belly and sides, because well, our wolfs are tracking through the deep snow and it would get stuck on the fur more. This looks amazing! Can’t wait for it to come out, you guys work very hard on these, and we appreciate you all!

[@flixie.doesnt.sleep.66]

i feel like i know you hmm

[@Beeheart8]

@@flixie.doesnt.sleep.66 me too 🤔

[@flixie.doesnt.sleep.66]

@@Beeheart8 🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔

[@Beeheart8]

@@flixie.doesnt.sleep.66 *HMMMMMMMMMMMMM* 🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔

[@sarah9850]

I feel like I don’t know either of you 🤔

[@supernovapaws]

Ohhh, I’m so excited. I do have a suggestion tho! After your wolf crosses a river, pond, etc. there should be a “shake” emote so they can shake off the water. Just an idea

[@donttakefelixscheesestick6367]

I love this idea 😍

[@Fausta_official]

I would love this in WolfQuest: AE too!

[@kc3376]

Yesss or u have water t dropping of your wolf and you move slowly so u have to shake it of

[@Halo_16]

Yess I’ve always been wanting that I rly hope they make it

[@lynnjg789]

i feel like a good idea would be if you fall asleep and wake up you can see different heights in the snow because of animals that came by and it would be easy to follow where they went

[@jenmayway6633]

This game is getting better and better

[@minkinns8438]

Ikr can't believe I've been following its production ever since 2016

[@draco_-malfoy519]

@@minkinns8438 same!

[@kc3376]

Yes it is

[@britishgamer9690]

Absolutely can't wait for the update to come out, the snow looks epic btw!!!

[@TheSpiderOfRome]

AHHHHH I’ve been wondering about deep snow for awhile! Glad to see it here, and the animation for the wolves running through it is beautiful

[@CosmicPotato740]

My favorite part is the new run animation that makes the wolves look like there jump-running through the white snow like how normally small but big animals struggle to do

[@tiiastudios2853]

Thats amazing and beautiful, well done WQ team!! Will we get different sound effects for the footsteps when walking through deep snow? :3

[@WolfQuestGame]

Probably. As Dave said, the devil is in the details. ;)

[@NojoNortu]

This game looks beautiful each day

[@VelvetyAngel]

it's always so refreshing to see new things added to the game, even if it's something simple like some snow. Wonderful job as always! Can't wait to have it in the game!

[@Fausta_official]

So true!

[@FuneFox]

Literally this morning I was thinking "what if wolf quest had deep snow?"

[@WolfQuestGame]

Well, pups are nearly adult-sized by the time deep winter rolls in.

[@bellawalker497]

Nothing cuter than little puppies playing in the snow 😊😊

[@rsla30]

I've been playing this game since 2010, I'm in my early 20s now and am still obsessed!

[@phantomthedragoness]

What I really love is not just how accurate you make and want to make the game, but also how you explain how to make parts of the game. So many other games I watch and/or play just show what they’re releasing, not how they made it or the steps to make it. You guys are doing so great and just massive respect from me.

[@Ominous_Odyssey]

Ahh man, this is something I've been waiting on for a while. I remember seeing the wolf documentaries and the wolves trying to chasing down elk while sinking down with every step. Good stuff. Will the deep snow incur movement penalties or affect any other mechanics? Or will they mostly be an aesthetic type thing?

[@WolfQuestGame]

Aesthetic for now. But maybe someday we can integrate it into gameplay when we have time.

[@frillygames]

Omg that’s so cool. Right when you think this game can’t get any more immersive

[@tt5757]

I wish we could get a mini-update with how things are coming along with the third episode. Even if it is just showing some basic stuff like terrain or den sites, would be really cool.

[@TNRwolf]

This would be very cool to see when the foxes mouse in the snow, can't wait for the update it looks so pretty

[@wolfdog8617]

Aaah! This is so cool! I’ve read that wolves will switch off with who leads the pack through the snowy terrain. It’d be interesting to see if this affects stamina as trudging through snow takes energy! You guys are doing amazing, I’m so excited!

[@WolfQuestGame]

Deep snow will slow down animals and drain their stamina faster. The deeper the snow, the harder it is for them.

[@April_Mendi]

THIS IS GENIUS! I never thought about having snow that deep but it makes the whole gameplay look more beautiful!

[@gracedrose2629]

I get so many serotonins watching my wolves hippity hoppity through the snow 😭💖

[@thepufferfishfish4985]

Oh my gosh new videooo! Thank you for this amazing progress!!! I love deep snow. Looks so fluffy. A small addition but extreeemely pleasing to see!

[@cheese_yogurt]

I can only imagine how fun hunting would be if running in the snow slowed down the wolf) An additional quest! Love you guys ❤️

[@charlotteroseplayz]

Oh my gosh!! No way! I was thinking about this yesterday after watching a wolf documentary, and I was like “it would be cool if they added deep snow…” AND HERE IT IS OMG

[@Hynotama]

Interesting to hear a fellow Romanian is working on this. Warms my heart. I remember playing this game for unreasonable amounts of time, before it became a paid game. Sometimes, I still listen to the sountracks that I downloaded from the website all those years ago. Don't know if they're still available or if the old website is even still alive.

[@WolfQuestGame]

Well, we have a new website but everything you need is there. :D wolfquest.org

[@Hynotama]

@@WolfQuestGame everything except the freebies, apparently. You should really make some desktop and phone wallpapers for your fans. That's something the old website lacked too. Nobody makes wallpapers for their games websites anymore. Sega even resorted to locking soap shoes for Sonic Frontiers behind a newsletter subscription. Who even uses newsletter subscriptions anymore? That's so 2000s.

[@GabeSaber-cool_guy]

Omg I am so excited for this to come out. The thing I’m most excited for with the snow is to roll in it lol. This is definitely going to be my second favorite patch that has ever come to WolfQuest. Love u guys, keep up the amazing work. 🙃

[@internetraspberry]

This looks so awesome, the game is coming along so well! My childhood dreams of the perfect wildlife game would fall to the ground in awe if they saw this.

[@starbullets]

this is one of those small details that make the game extra fun! i'd love to see the foxes pouncing into the snow like they do otherwise! :D thank you for all your work!

[@otterbells]

Having packmates follow single file isn't possible for the AI, but it will definitely be fun to make choo choo trains with others in multiplayer when this comes out.

[@shanellemurrey9300]

WOLF TRAINS

[@Iriathemysterious]

Just randomly thought of a fun idea and thought id put it here to see other's feedback. Sometimes in the wild, a pack can take in a dispersal wolf. Maybe when you have just a mate and some pups, a wolf could try and gain your trust to be let into the pack. Doesnt have to be implemented, but i thought itd be a fun idea to possibly have a situation where a dispersal wolf is let into your pack.

[@kannaredpanda]

I am constantly surprised and in awe by the sheer love and effort that is always put into the game and details. It looks amazing! I can’t wait to play in the snow

[@hostile-elf]

i appreciate how the wolves romp through the thick snow, and the trees turning white makes winter look so much colder! hopefully once i get a new graphics card i can appreciate this game in its full beauty haha

[@thepufferfishfish4985]

I wonder... If we follow the tracks of elk for example, will we run faster since they have already cleared the path for us? Hmm...

[@WolfQuestGame]

Maybe someday. As Dave said, following in tracks would require a fair bit of work.

[@thepufferfishfish4985]

@@WolfQuestGame Oh I see! Even without that implementation deep snow is still incredible on its own! Good job!

[@yandereskitty]

I remember playing this as a kid. Its come so far and its beautiful.

[@Legacy-sw7bv]

As the Winter comes, I'll be kept plenty warm by these frigid piles of snow making my computer run as hot as the sun. But seriously, I massively admire your attention to detail and passion for realism here. Keep being yourselves, WQ dev team!

[@Em_miexx]

Hello wolf quest. I hope you see this message will our speed get lower? Or go faster if that made much more sense, because the snow is so so deep. And will our health go down? If it’s just too hard to find food! Or like cold or getting sick? Just some stuff you could look on. If you would like. Love this game

[@WolfQuestGame]

Maybe someday we will add more things like that.

[@shanellemurrey9300]

Your health already goes down if your hunger is low enough I’m pretty sure

[@Em_miexx]

@@shanellemurrey9300 yes it dose! That is very much correct I just mean if it’s getting colder it might go down more.

[@shanellemurrey9300]

@@Em_miexx the hunger bar? Hunger bar and maybe health going down lower would make sense because being too cold isn’t that great for you, and I think IIRC you use more calories to keep yourself warm when it’s cold

[@Raven-Quest]

This is the best thing I've EVER Seen on Wolf Quest!!! I can just imagine a large pack running through the snow with pups following them, ooh and the Yearling pups hunting, that will look amazing! It look's so realistic with the deep snow! Can't wait till it's finished to try it out with my pack!!!!!!!!

[@KovierKow]

Watching the new wolf quest updates while I update my game. Loving the deep snow can’t wait to run in it

[@samantharain.8]

This looks so cool!!! I can still remember the suuuper early stages of the new game, and I can't believe how far you guys have come! Can't wait for the full game

[@cvsssper]

Every time I think the game can’t get any better, you guys surprise me again. Thank you for your hard work ❤

[@kathrynryanclancy8437]

Omg I've wanted this for a while! More snow updates please, I'd love to see a thing where there are different amounts of snow depending on the elevation (and some patches of snow that take longer to melt!)

[@mariamunn7493]

Does anyone else remember playing WolfQuest Classic Edition when it first came out? Look at how far you've gotten! Look at how well you've done! You and the dev team and everyone else involved are all amazing, and this couldn't have happened without them. Thank you :)

[@TheStarWarriorHorse]

The attention to detail is one of the things that I love about this game! You’re doing an awesome job!

[@secretformulathief910]

Omg I had to pause the video once it cut to them chasing elk in the snow just to appreciate it, so gorgeous and so lifelike

[@vucica.11.8]

Oh wooow i can’t wait: also I have one Cool idea it will be great to add when wolf swimming and came out of water that he can shake his fur from water and Snow 🥰

[@The_Mops]

amazing!! Suggestion: It makes sense that when the wolf is running through the snow like that it would be.. slower? but I understand if that's not very compatible with all graphic levels, or perhaps you're concerned about how the players will think about slower movement. Just something to chew on, but you're doing great as it is :)

[@WolfQuestGame]

You will run slower in the deep snow, yes.

[@Kokogata]

Apart from looking incredible, it makes the world and interactions with it more natural and alive. It's perfect

[@Kaz...........................]

The amount of things these devs do for their players and the game is just amazing, I hope they keep up the amazing work they've been doing

[@wolfinthesage]

Talk about attention to detail! I love how the deep snow is looking, and it's fascinating to learn about what goes into making new game features. Great work as always!!

[@justsomerando2658]

I swear the amount of effort you guys put Into this game is so incredible. To the smallest of details

[@mariannerones132]

Hello wolfquest! I just love this idea, beacuse than when ur on an hunt after an rabbit u can see it in the snow. Anyway i got an few ideas 1: When ur pup comes to u and wanna play, u can lie down and play-bite with it. 2: U can change ur territory's colour. 3: Ur pup can jump over u.

[@warriorcatkitty]

WolfQuest is honestly one of the best games ever made ❤ I LOVE snow, so this looks really fun!! :D

[@solar-mutt7795]

Omg, Loach was JUST talking about deep snow and conga line packs in the discord!!! I'm SO EXCITED I did an actual fist pump! You guys are so amazing! The animation added to them jumping in the snow too...

[@Bonniethebunny]

Deep snow is something i've wanted to see for a long while now, and seeing this put a huge smile on my face. Luckily i have a laptop that should be able to handle it so i'm very excited to try this out!

[@cherrystarpresents..]

I think we should get snow on the sides and underbellies of our wolves, since they are roaming around, the snow probably should reach their sides and underbellies. I love the thought of the pupd running through the snow, and the New Lost River DLC. Can't wait to try this!

[@ChrysCat]

I love these videos. Love learning all the behind the scenes stuff that goes into making a game such as this.

[@jaguarthekingofsouthameric7427]

i simply love you guys, keep on the great and outstanding work

[@kaiyolovu_alberto]

My idea was used!!! I recommended this a while ago this looks so cool!!!

[@Bloodshewolf]

I can't wait for this! WQ has come a long way. I'm proud of you guys! Keep it up! 👏

[@crowwolf666]

Oh my goodness oh my goodness oh my goodness, I actually screamed, out loud, of joy when the video started (I didn't get a very good look at the thumbnail). this looks incredible! I can't even imagine how much work this would take, to make a game this amazing and awesome, a game where the players never got bored! This looks so amazing, I'm so lucky to be able to play this, I can't wait! (I'll be counting down the days, of course) I'm just imagining the pups walking through the snow with just their little ears poking up (I imagine the snow would most likely be over their heads, for the most part) and this video, by far, made my day! Keep up the amazing work, love this game so much! ❤

[@Rileyrileyyy]

dude I love how you always make update videos for us

[@pikvik9098]

Animations of running looks really cool😊 It was worth the wait)

[@cretinouswhelk]

Absolutely loving this deep snow update, very nice to see it added to the game and looks so fun to run around in! Awesome work Wolf Quest team!

[@flixie.doesnt.sleep.66]

*casually has been obsessing over this game for the last 6 years*

[@madheretic4423]

I love y’all sm. Y’all have come so far.

[@saestylez]

this is a really neat addition!! im so glad this game is still being worked on :))

[@batbitess4121]

This looks absolutely STUNNING! This for sure will be an amazing feature in game to see and feel all the more IMMERSED. I wonder how our pups will handle it!

[@haileyrodgers1679]

I'm always blown away by all the things you all come up with!

[@Bashfulhyena]

This is super impressive!! Thank you for sharing it with us

[@tsunami__2405]

It's looking great You guys have come so far with this beautiful game. keep up the great work!

[@DAISYDEVIL2007]

this is wicked cool!!! The deep snow makes the maps look even more beautiful than they already were :}

[@enchantedocean2246]

This game just continues to get more and more amazing, I can't speak enough about you guys! You do fantastic work!

[@falcolf]

I really love how you explain how the behind the scenes production stuff works. ❤

[@RaptorSnake]

I've been hoping for this feature for so long! It really adds immersion.

[@NicoUnken]

Didn't expect this. This looks amazing!!! I can imagine it would take a LOT of work.

[@runic_raptor]

I love seeing these updates with what actually goes into making the game. Its always so interesting to see

[@lionguardlionking9996]

I hope the deep snow appropriately affects the hoofed herbivores, after all hooves aren't eant for snow - much less DEEP snow! Bison, Moose, Elk, Mule Deer

[@Smiles22]

So cool! I giggled when you showed the white cylinders on the wolf!

[@dove5777]

Ahh this looks so cool! I would love to just be able to curl up and let snow cover me. My livestock guardian dog loves to do that, then rise up from the drifts and it is adorable.

[@frostwolf2423]

This looks so amazing! Loved watching the wolves hop through the deep snow during this video, lol

[@Jordynolson1]

YESSSSS, i've been waiting for this! Tweak as much as you need to, i can wait for the final!

[@callingallcrow_s]

I'm so excited for this! 🐺😄 You're all doing amazing work.❄

[@RavenLunatic517]

Every video I get more and more excited from the eventually update!!

[@mandela663]

YES tysm for this! I really wanted this. Thank you WolfQuest!

[@turtleduck2085]

I have secretly been wishing we could do this. Thank-you for granting my wish. You guys are awesome.

[@silvershewolf5943]

Wow I love this, it really makes the world more alive!⭐️

[@GeckoFootandBirdSnout]

I'm really excited for this! I'm excited for everything thats to come for this game, Since I bought it, I was playing it non-spot and for days and I still do! I just love it this game. Keep up the good work! 😁

[@pikabolt5196]

Oh my gosh you guys are brilliant. Every time I think you've gotten the game down pat you surprise us with something new and exciting. I can't wait to see the pups flailing around in the deep snow!

[@Leoveroan]

Finally! Me and my group that Ive been playing with have been secretly begging for deep snow like this! thank you so much it looks so good! Excited for the saga >:)

[@newblackpaladin8246]

Just when I think you guys have made the most amazing game you guys add a feature, I didn't know was possible. KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK! I love Wolf Quest and appreciate all the hard work put into it. 1000000000/10

[@Crow-yw5jg]

This is amazing. The amount of attention to detail and realism in wolf quest is why this will always be my favorite game. I can’t wait for snow trails and the little hops

[@Naib-Y]

literally a king, you were my childhood.... and you still are the best!

[@titusnya]

SOOOO EXCITING!!! this is so wonderful and every improvement to this game makes it so much more realistic. you can tell how much love has gone into this series 💘

[@RakuSeer]

At long last! My gf kept bugging me about WQ not having deep snow after she coded some for a school project years ago. You should be able to keep the tesselation higher near the paths and lower farther away from the player for better memory usage - I'll have to ask her how she did it way back when.

[@Fausta_official]

I love how you guys are giving us this type of suprises. For example "Limpy" was something like that too. Those are small details and improvments, but makes me wanna keep playing the game even more, as we all patiently wait for the Saga. Thank you❣️❣️❣️

[@dont_wake_up]

OH MY GOD YES FINALLY this is something ive been hoping you would add!!!