Way of the Hunter News

[p]Thank you for the time, care, and passion you’ve shared with Way of the Hunter this year. Your feedback, patience, and love for the hunt truly mean a lot to us.[/p][p]Our team will be out of the office until the end of the year, but we’ll be back in January and looking forward to what’s ahead. Until then, take care and enjoy the season. 🤍[/p][p][/p][p]Before we head off for the holidays, here’s a quick heads-up about the Steam Winter Sale. [/p][h3]
Steam Winter Sale
[/h3][p]Way of the Hunter is currently up to 60% off on Steam as part of the holiday sale! [/p][p]
Discount Highlights:[/p]

• [p]Up to 60% off the base game[/p]
• [p]50% off map DLCs and map pack DLCs[/p]
• [p]25% off smaller DLCs, including Night Hunting Pack, Hunter’s Advantage Pack with new calibers or electronic caller, real-world equipment packs such as Bear Archery, Christensen Arms, Steyr Arms, Remington Firearms, and Kawasaki UTV, and more. [/p]

[p]There’s plenty to discover — whether you’re after complete bundles or specific DLCs, now’s a great chance to pick them up.[/p][p]
Steam Winter Sale runs until January 5. View all deals on Steam:
[/p][p][dynamiclink][/dynamiclink][/p][p]Enjoy the holidays, happy hunting, and see you all in January 2026![/p][p][/p][p]More info:[/p][p]Get the game here: https://thqn.net/woth-steam[/p][p]Website: http://wayofthehunter.com[/p][p]Discord: https://discord.gg/wayofthehunter[/p][p][/p][p][/p]

[p]THQ Nordic and Nine Rocks Games are excited to announce Elkcrest Island, the fifth and final map DLC for Way of the Hunter, and for the first time ever, it is completely free. Serving as a heartfelt thank you to the dedicated players and community who have supported the game over the past 3.5 years, Elkcrest Island marks a celebratory close to the Way of the Hunter journey before the studio turns its full focus to the next title in the franchise. At the same time, players can look ahead: the Steam page for the upcoming project goes live today, allowing fans to begin adding the game to their wishlists. While the final name is still in discussion, this marks the official start of the next chapter for the development team.[/p][p][/p][h3]Wishlist the new game on Steam now:[/h3][p][dynamiclink][/dynamiclink][/p][p]Next Hunting Adventure | Announcement Teaser:[/p][previewyoutube][/previewyoutube][h2]Welcome to Elkcrest Island[/h2][p]Update 1.31 is now live, and it brings Elkcrest Island, a remote northern wilderness, rich with North America's most iconic game species. This isolated, sparsely populated landscape also debuts a new predator in the franchise: the North American cougar! And the most requested animal is making a comeback: Merriam’s wild turkey.[/p][p]Players can explore dramatic hills and mountain ranges to scout major big game, from moose and elk to Bighorn sheep, caribou, Sitka deer, Wood bison, and the imposing Kodiak bear. Those seeking variety can head to serene lakes and open plains, home to wild ducks, surf scoters, pheasants, and lesser scaup. Predators like the Gray wolf and Red fox roam the terrain, while patient hunters may even spot the swift snowshoe hare.Preview Event[/p][p][/p][p]Watch the trailer here | Elkcrest Island DLC: [/p][previewyoutube][/previewyoutube][p][/p][p]Full Animal List – Elkcrest Island:[/p]

• [p]North American cougar (Puma concolor couguar)[/p]
• [p]Alaska moose (Alces americanus gigas)[/p]
• [p]Barren-ground caribou (Rangifer tarandus groenlandicus)[/p]
• [p]Bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis)[/p]
• [p]Gray wolf (Canis lupus)[/p]
• [p]Kodiak bear (Ursus arctos middendorffi)[/p]
• [p]Lesser scaup (Aythya affinis)[/p]
• [p]Merriam's wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo merriami)[/p]
• [p]Mountain goat (Oreamnos americanus)[/p]
• [p]Pheasant (Phasianus colchicus)[/p]
• [p]Red fox (Vulpes vulpes)[/p]
• [p]Roosevelt elk (Cervus canadensis roosevelti)[/p]
• [p]Sitka deer (Odocoileus hemionus sitkensis)[/p]
• [p]Snowshoe hare (Lepus americanus)[/p]
• [p]Surf scoter (Melanitta perspicillata)[/p]
• [p]Wild duck (Anas platyrhynchos)[/p]
• [p]Wood bison (Bison bison athabascae)[/p]

[p][/p][p]The Elkcrest map is available now! The base game is required to play the DLC.
[/p][p][dynamiclink][/dynamiclink][/p][p][/p][p][/p][p]Alongside the free DLC map Elkcrest Island, update 1.31 is now live on all platforms. This update also brings the North American cougar to Nez Perce Valley, Aurora Shores, and Elkcrest Island - harvest one or explore its need zones to unlock more info in the in-game encyclopedia. Alongside the new content, update 1.31 fixes essential issues and provides compensation for players affected by the previous update 1.29.1 before the hotfix. Let’s take a closer look.[/p][p][/p][h3]Compensation for Players[/h3][p]Update 1.31 also brings several fixes and includes compensation for earlier update issues.[/p][p][/p][p]For everyone:[/p][p]All players receive compensation for the inconvenience caused by the update 1.29.1. Since some players lost a rare-fur trophy, we’re adding a guaranteed high-fitness rare-fur animal to every reserve:[/p]

• [p]Nez Perce Valley: Melanistic Mule Deer - Private/Lowland[/p]
• [p]Transylvania: Albino Red Deer - Private/Lowland[/p]
• [p]Aurora Shores: Melanistic Alaska Moose - Primary/Grassland[/p]
• [p]Tikamoon Plains: Albino Cape Buffalo - Private/Savanna[/p]
• [p]Matariki Park: Albino White-Tailed Deer - Private/Lowland[/p]
• [p]Lintukoto Reserve: Melanistic Fallow Deer - Private/Highland Forest[/p]

[p][/p][p]For players affected by update 1.29.1:[/p][p]If your save file was impacted and you loaded the game before the hotfix was available, this update will apply a herd-management recovery boost. The game will identify weaker animals in affected habitats and increase their fitness by 50% toward the habitat’s gene-pool maximum, which means a small boost to those, who have lost their herd management progress. As part of this process, the game will automatically trigger a new in-game year the first time you load in after the update, but only for those affected saves.[/p][p][/p][p]Additional improvements:[/p][p]Some herd management stats that previously failed to load correctly should self-correct over the next two in-game years.[/p][p][/p][h3]Version 1.31 (Build: 174393) patch notes:[/h3]

• [p]Added: Free DLC: Elkcrest Island[/p]

• [p]Added: North American cougar to Nez Perce Valley, Aurora Shores, and Elkcrest Island[/p]
• [p]Tweaked: Compensation for players affected by update 1.29.1[/p]
  • [p]For everyone: All players receive a guaranteed high-fitness rare-fur animal on each reserve (excluding Elkcrest Island)[/p]
  • [p]For affected players affected by update 1.29.1: A small herd management boost across all reserves[/p]
• [p]Fixed: Missing magazine model on the Christensen Modern Hunting Rifle[/p]
• [p]Fixed: Issue where long blood marker expiration times caused extended loading times or crashes on some reserves[/p][p][/p]

[p]We will be grateful for any feedback and bug reports via THQ Nordic Redmine. When creating a ticket, please make sure that you enter the correct version of the game. [/p][p][/p][p]Thank you, and happy hunting! [/p][p][/p][p]More info:[/p][p]Get the game here: https://thqn.net/woth-steam[/p][p]Website: http://wayofthehunter.com[/p][p]Discord: https://discord.gg/wayofthehunter[/p][p][/p]

[p]Hi hunters! Before update 1.31 arrives on Wednesday, we wanted to share a quick heads-up, especially for players who were affected by the issues in Update 1.29.1.[/p][p][/p][p]For everyone: [/p][p]All players will receive compensation for the inconvenience caused by recent update. Since some players lost a rare-fur trophy, we’re adding a guaranteed high-fitness rare-fur animal to every reserve. We'll share more info on the day of the release. [/p][p][/p][p]For players affected by Update 1.29.1: [/p][p]If your save file was impacted and you loaded the game before the hotfix was available, the update will apply a herd-management recovery boost. The game will identify weaker animals in affected habitats and increase their fitness by 50% toward the habitat’s gene-pool maximum, which means a small boost to those who have lost their herd management progress. As part of this process, the game will automatically trigger a new in-game year the first time you load in after the update, but only for those affected saves. We’re sharing this early so you can plan ahead if you’re currently tracking a rare or mature animal. [/p][p][/p][p]Additional improvements: [/p][p]Some HM stats that previously failed to load correctly will self-correct over the next two in-game years.

[/p][p]More info and patch notes will be available on the day of the release - Wednesday, December 17.
[/p][p]Stay tuned![/p]

[p]The holidays are just around the corner, and we’re putting the finishing touches on our final update of the year before we wrap up 2025. The upcoming update arrives on Wednesday, December 17.[/p][p]Stay tuned!
[/p][p][/p]

[p]With Update 1.30, Way of the Hunter welcomes a new addition to its lineup of authentic, real-world firearm brands. Authenticity matters in our game, and bringing real, trusted brands into the game is a key part of that experience. We’re proud to welcome STRASSER, recognised for reliable, well-crafted rifles. For decades, the STRASSER family business has been manufacturing essential components for hunting and sporting firearms for world-renowned brands. Parts produced at STRASSER’s facility in Eugendorf, near Salzburg, Austria, have even accompanied the European space rocket Ariane into space.[/p][p][/p][p][dynamiclink][/dynamiclink][/p][p]But above all, the Strassers and their gunsmiths are passionate hunters and have their fingers on the pulse of the industry.  [/p][p][/p][p]STRASSER has set an important milestone and in the history of hunting rifles with the trend-setting straight pull system. The safe and accurate design and ergonomic operating functions make STRASSER straight-pull rifles a reliable companion for hunters and sports marksmen. It’s on these strong foundations that the STRASSER legacy is built.
[/p][h3]Watch the new trailer here:[/h3][previewyoutube][/previewyoutube][h3]Included in the STRASSER Pack DLC: [/h3][p][/p][p]Strasser RS 700 XRS Chassis[/p][p]Combine STRASSER’s „Passionate Innovation“ with the Remington 700 design, and the result is the first STRASSER 700 straight-pull-action, the RS 700. The Strasser RS 700 XRS chassis comes standard with high-quality XRS stock, an adjustable cheek piece and an integrated M-Lok rail in the forearm.  [/p][p]Caliber: .308 Win[/p][p][/p][p]Strasser RS 14 Evolution[/p][p]STRASSER RS 14 Evolution is the leading straight-pull bolt-action rifle of its class. Made in Austria with the highest standards in quality, it features a fixed barrel in addition to the benefits of the STRASSER RS straight-pull system, making it unmatched when it comes to safety, precision and speed. The RS 14 Evolution comes with a laminated thumb hole wood stock and an integrated M-Lok rail in the forearm, flanked by black side plates.[/p][p]Caliber: 7MM PRC  

[/p][p]The STRASSER Pack DLC is available now at an SRP of €2.99 / $2.99. The base game is required to play the DLC. [/p][p][/p][p][dynamiclink][/dynamiclink][/p][h3]Version 1.30 (Build: 172812) patch notes:[/h3][p] Added:[/p]

• [p]DLC STRASSER Pack:[/p]
  • [p]Strasser RS 700 XRS Chassis[/p]
  • [p]Strasser RS 14 Evolution[/p]

[p]Tweaked:[/p]

• [p]Tweaked: Increased spook distance for Merriam’s turkeys to better match real-life behaviour and hunting conditions[/p]

[p]Fixed:[/p]

• [p]Incorrect turkey subspecies name (all localizations)[/p][p][/p]

[p]We will be grateful for any and all feedback and bug reports via THQ Nordic Redmine. When creating a ticket, please make sure that you enter the correct version of the game. [/p][p][/p][p]Thank you, and happy hunting!
[/p][p][/p][p]More info:[/p][p]Get the game here: https://thqn.net/woth-steam[/p][p]Website: http://wayofthehunter.com[/p][p]Discord: https://discord.gg/wayofthehunter[/p][p][/p]