Small Prey for Small Wolves

[loboLoco]

The core of the upcoming WolfQuest Saga* is the new AI system that we first showed in a devblog a year ago, with very young pups walking a bit wobbly when they first emerge from the den. Since then, we've been building on that XP system, most significantly when the pups are learning how to hunt elk late in their first year. But pups are learning and gaining experience every month as they grow.

Drawing on biologists' understanding of wolf pup development, we've created several tiers of hunting interest and experience. Pups reach the first of these tiers – the Early Predatory Drive – in June (when they're about ready to abandon the den). This is when they begin tracking scents, stalking, and pouncing on interesting things, real or imagined.

The pups keep gaining experience from these behaviors and, in July (generally during the Loaf at Rendezvous Site quest), they'll reach the next tier: High Predator Drive. This is when they start noticing small prey around the homesite, such as toads and voles. These summer pups become very interested in these little critters, following them, pouncing on them, and playing with them -- the exciting new toys of the season.

Pups will keep gaining XP as they practice their hunting skills with the toads and voles, which will come in handy later in the summer…

Stay tuned to learn more about the Saga in upcoming devblogs!

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Western Toad by Phillip Guerrero and Steve Adamson
Montane Vole by Stynsour Throne

* The upcoming WolfQuest Saga is "the rest of the game." Your pups will continue to grow into the fall and beyond, learning to hunt under your supervision, and then becoming yearlings when next year's pups are born. Time will continue progressing through the years until you die. The Saga is currently in development but we do not have a release date for it.

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The WolfQuest saga will continue! Stay tuned for more news in upcoming devblogs about it and other new features!

We do not announce specific release dates. We will release them when they are ready.