Don't Freeze: A Winter Card Survival News

[p]Hey Frostbreakers,[/p][p]Time for a quick update on what’s been happening behind the scenes in Don’t Freeze.[/p][p][/p][p]⸻[/p][p][/p][p]The New Map System[/p][p]The new map + minimap system has been getting really positive feedback, and we can’t thank you enough.[/p][p]Many of you mentioned that it adds a deeper sense of immersion and helps visualise the world more clearly.[/p][p]It’s been great seeing players have a more immersive experience.[/p][p][/p][p]⸻[/p][p][/p][p]Tutorials for New Players[/p][p]We recently added a tutorial system to help new players understand the basics.[/p][p]Don’t Freeze has quite a lot happening under the hood: warmth, afflictions, weight, time costs, crafting, campsite management, and the tutorial helps create a clearer starting point without overwhelming newcomers.[/p][p]Right now the tutorial is always on, but a toggle to disable it is coming soon for old timers and players who prefer to learn purely through discovery.[/p][p][/p][p]⸻[/p][p][/p][p]New Objectives Coming Soon[/p][p]We’re also adding a batch of new objectives to improve early-game flow and give players a stronger sense of direction.[/p][p]These objectives won’t walk you step by step through the game, but they’ll gently guide you toward important mechanics and help the early days feel more purposeful.[/p][p]They are meant to support your understanding of the world, not restrict your choices.[/p][p][/p][p]⸻[/p][p][/p][p]New Location Coming Soon: Hill[/p][p]In the next update, we’ll be unlocking a new area: Hill.[/p][p]This location brings:[/p]

• [p]New items[/p]
• [p]New resources[/p]
• [p]New narrative discoveries[/p]

[p][/p][p]⸻[/p][p][/p][p]More to Come[/p][p]We’re steadily shaping Don’t Freeze into the harsh, atmospheric survival experience we envisioned.[/p][p]Every patch brings us closer, and your feedback has been essential in refining the game’s direction.[/p][p]Thank you for playing the demo, reporting bugs, sharing your ideas, and being part of this journey.[/p][p]There’s plenty more ahead.[/p][p][/p][p]The Don't Freeze Team[/p]

[p]❄ Demo V0.2.7 Patch Notes ❄[/p][p]This update reworks location/campsite, introduces map, overhauls UI, adds animations/buff/debuff icons with tooltips, and fixes several bugs and edge cases. Thanks for all the reports and playtime![/p][p][/p][previewyoutube][/previewyoutube][p]Gameplay[/p]

• [p]Take charcoal from Campfire[/p]
• [p]Charcoal can now be harvested into Ash[/p]
• [p]Charcoal can be cooked into Hot Charcoal[/p]
• [p]Marking an objective as complete no longer asks for confirmation[/p]
• [p]Added journal entry + notification when cooking starts/finishes[/p]
• [p]Added “Sit by Fire” action to restore warmth near the campfire[/p]
• [p]Added “Move All” cards between left/right panels[/p]
• [p]Added full Tutorial system[/p]
• [p]Revamped campsite mechanics — campsite is now a dedicated location you discover while exploring[/p]
• [p]Added Minimap and Popup Map[/p]
• [p]Moved some early objectives into the Tutorial[/p]
• [p]Added new cooking SFX[/p]
• [p]Added flare-related items + footsteps-in-snow event[/p]
• [p]Added home page idle card animation[/p][p][/p]

[p]UI/UX[/p]

• [p]Monologue no longer blocks the entire screen[/p]
• [p]Replaced jagged popup outline with soft outer glow[/p]
• [p]Added outer glow on hover for cards[/p]
• [p]Added buff/debuff indicator with tooltips[/p]
• [p]Overhauled Campfire UI[/p]
• [p]Overhauled Objectives UI[/p]
• [p]Overhauled Notification UI[/p]
• [p]Overhauled Home Page UI[/p]
• [p]Chapter transitions now show “Click To Skip” instead of mouse icon[/p]
• [p]Moved “Successfully moved to location” message from center screen → bottom of minimap[/p]
• [p]Updated Move Card dropzone colour + text[/p]

[p][/p][p]Bug Fixes[/p]

• [p]Immovable card from Explore was not always placed first in Loot Pile when multiple item types were found[/p]
• [p]Minor tooltip positioning issues for insufficient materials in Crafting / Campfire / etc[/p]
• [p]Fixed Cooking/Drying sometimes duplicating items[/p]
• [p]Cooked Venison now correctly completes its cooking objective[/p]
• [p]Fixed “Add item to cook” showing as “Add item to dry” in cooking UI[/p]
• [p]Fixed card tooltips sometimes getting stuck permanently until Save & Quit[/p]

[p][/p][p]As always, we’d love to hear what you think. Join our Discord and tell us how your latest run went.[/p][p][/p]

[p]Hey Frostbreakers,[/p][p]We’re opening up playtesting slots for our upcoming Map Update and for future updates after that![/p][p][/p][p]If you’d like to help us test new builds, find bugs before anyone else, and give feedback on gameplay and balance, this is your chance.[/p][p][/p][p]We’re looking for players who:[/p][p]* Enjoy exploring and breaking things (on purpose).[/p][p]* Can give clear feedback. Short notes or screenshots are totally fine.[/p][p]* Don’t mind freezing a few times along the way.[/p][p][/p][p]Playtesters will get early access to new features (like the new map system), internal builds, and a special Playtester role on Discord.[/p][p][/p][p]If you’re interested, join our discord, drop a short “I’m in” and we’ll reach out with details before the next build rolls out.[/p]

[p]❄ Demo V0.2.5a Patch Notes ❄[/p][p]V0.2.5a is out! Small patch with cooking + objective fixes.[/p][p][/p][p]UI/UX[/p]

• [p]Added SFX when a cook completes at the campfire.[/p]

[p]Bug Fixes[/p]

• [p]Fixed uncookable recipes at the campfire: Uncooked Slug Stew, Uncooked Mushroom Soup, Uncooked Sluggers & Mush now cook properly.[/p]
• [p]Fixed Harvest Small Carcass action sometimes not marking its objective as complete.[/p]
• [p]Fixed cooked items not marking related objectives as complete (e.g., Melt Snow).[/p]
• [p]Fixed incorrect remaining time display after a cook completed.[/p]

[p][/p][p]As always, we’d love to hear what you think. Join our Discord and tell us how your latest run went.[/p][p][/p]

[p]❄ Demo V0.2.5 Patch Notes ❄[/p][p]This update revamps cooking, improves survival balance, adds clearer feedback (icons, flashes, SFX), and fixes several crashes and edge cases. Thanks for all the reports and playtime![/p][p][/p][p]Gameplay[/p]

• [p]Cooking revamped: food is now cooked directly at the campfire instead of via crafting.[/p]
• [p]Added Frozen Potable Water and Frozen Unsafe Water.[/p]
• [p]Removed Day 1 midnight campfire auto-extinguish event (to avoid confusion).[/p]
• [p]Activities rebalanced: timings now feel more realistic
  (e.g., drinking water now takes 3 minutes instead of 15 — no more leisurely sipping!).[/p]
• [p]Small carcasses (rat, squirrel, fox) are now movable.[/p]
• [p]Partial harvests enabled for fallen/dead trees and large carcasses (bear, wolf, fox) instead of one massive 4h+ action.[/p]
• [p]Campfire warmth increased by 5°C to avoid freezing near fire.[/p]
• [p]Bedroll warmth buffed to prevent freezing while sleeping.[/p]
• [p]Crash Site exploration cap removed.[/p]
• [p]Woods: guaranteed minimum of 2 item types per explore, improved wood drop rates, and capped at 1 cigarette butt.[/p]
• [p]Torch objective renamed from “Equip” to “Light.”[/p]
• [p]Starter Campfire now defaults to Torch as the first item.[/p]
• [p]Tool order for opening cans updated.[/p]

[p][/p][p]UI/UX[/p]

• [p]Objectives system:[/p]
• [p]Completed objectives cannot be re-added as active.[/p]
• [p]Completed objectives now auto-collapse.[/p]
• [p]Objective text auto-scales to fit.[/p]
• [p]Tooltip system overhauled: tooltips auto-fit text length (afflictions, sleep, categories, wiki, etc).[/p]
• [p]Insufficient material/tool tooltip now links to Wiki on click.[/p]
• [p]Harvested items auto-scroll into view in loot containers.[/p]
• [p]Over-encumbrance icon added to top-right afflictions panel.[/p]
• [p]Needs/conditions indicators added:[/p]
  • [p]Up/down arrows show changes each turn.[/p]
  • [p]Flashing warnings when needs/conditions
• [p]Flashing icon for over-encumbrance.[/p]
• [p]Sleep popup description updated; warmth bonus/punishment displayed.[/p]
• [p]Card movement controls improved:[/p]
  • [p]Existing Shift + drag and Shift + right-click still work.[/p]
  • [p]Added middle mouse click to move a whole stack.[/p]
  • [p]Added right-click + drag to move a whole stack.[/p]
• [p]BGM volume reduced across the board; Crash Site music made less piercing.[/p]
• [p]Added dusk and morning SFX.[/p]
• [p]Added SFX + notification when items break or rot.[/p]

[p][/p][p]Bug Fixes[/p]

• [p]Fixed dragging cards left↔right multiple times sometimes freezing the game.[/p]
• [p]Fixed equipped items being incorrectly counted toward backpack carry weight.[/p]
• [p]Fixed crafting with multiple firewood types not auto-switching when one type is consumed.[/p]
• [p]Fixed pluralization issue on hrs/mins labels.[/p]
• [p]Fixed completed objectives monologue missing punctuation.[/p]
• [p]Fixed tooltip persistence after hovering buttons (location/crafting/affliction/equipment).[/p]
• [p]Fixed food poisoning bug that incorrectly increased sanity drain rate when triggered multiple times.[/p]
• [p]Updated various event monologues; added new ones when needs are depleted.[/p]

[p][/p][p]As always, we’d love to hear what you think. Join our Discord and tell us how your latest run went.[/p][p][/p]