Dev Diary: Game Feeders
[p]Hi everyone! My name’s Chris, and I’m a Game Designer on theHunter: Call of the Wild. Today I’d like to talk to y’all about the new Game Feeder Pack that the team and I have been working on.[/p][p][/p][h2]Bringing Feeders into the Wild[/h2][p]First things first. Let’s talk about the inspiration behind this pack. Feeders are used all over the world in many different real-life hunting environments. Not to mention, attracting animals with feeders was something players could utilize back in theHunter Classic.[/p][p][/p][p]As developers, we had to ask ourselves a few questions before cracking on with it, though. What do players need? What do we want them to be able to accomplish? And, quite importantly, how do we go about it in this game in a way that makes sense with our systems? [/p][p][/p][p]With all of this in mind, we set ourselves some goals:[/p]![]()
[/p][p]The Box Feeder can be filled with either Fortified Pellet Feed, which is rich in protein, or Multigrain Flake Mix – high in carbohydrates. It’s constructed in such a way that only taller, snouty animals like deer, antelope, moose, etc. can eat from them. The feed only depletes when animals visit the feeder, so you can use this as a way to check if there’s been any activity in the area. They are quite delicate though, and can be vulnerable to being knocked down and raided by bears.[/p][p][/p][p]![]()
[/p][p]The Post Feeder uses the same types of fodder as the Box Feeder, but has a different mechanism to dispense the feed. This means that a broader variety of animals can feed from it, and it’s resistant to bear attacks. However, it will still attract bears if they’re in the area, so make sure to keep a keen eye on things! With the Post Feeder, the fodder trickles out at a constant rate, so be sure to keep them topped up.[/p][p][/p][p]![]()
[/p][p]And if you were wondering how to deal with those pesky bears, then the Bait Barrel Feeder is here to save the day. These feeders use two totally different types of bait: Meat Scraps and Sour Fermented Mash. They are much preferred by bears over the fodder in the other two structures. You can use this fact to tactically draw bears away from your other feeding sites. The Sour Mash also attracts Hogs, giving this feeder a handy second use case. Like the Box Feeder, the feed is depleted when animals visit, but it’s much sturdier and can’t be destroyed.[/p][p][/p][h2]Maximizing Your Feeder's Potential[/h2][p]If you’re a newer player looking to rack up some XP and in-game cash, it’s not a bad idea to set up a couple of Post Feeders in different regions, since they can attract a broader variety of animals. If you find yourself making enough kills to raise the Hunting Pressure in a specific area, just travel over to the other feeder and hunt there for a bit to balance things out. Also, if you’re focusing on deer trophies, then the Box Feeder might be the one for you, as it filters out a lot of the smaller ground feeding animals. [/p][p][/p][p]It’s a good idea to place feeders in the vicinity of animal travel routes. While they don’t need to walk right on top of where the feeder was deployed, they do need to wander through the general area to learn that there’s tasty food there. Once it’s the animal’s feeding time, if you have the right setup, they’ll remember where the good stuff is and come to the feeder to eat. [/p][p][/p][p]So, as well as scouting for where animals wander across the reserve, you’ll also need to learn their schedules – they will visit Game Feeders at the same times that they’d feed at their regular Need Zones. But remember, you can place the Game Feeders almost anywhere. Spots between distant Need Zones are great, especially if many animal groups cross paths there at different times. Don’t be afraid to experiment to find the best setup for your hunts.[/p][p][/p][p]Personally, I like to use the Game Feeders to set up a hunting spot somewhere where I can use the terrain or other hunting structures to my advantage. Oftentimes, I’ll pick a clearing or meadow near some wooded areas, where I can draw deer out in the open while I use the occasional low wall for cover. I’m a big fan of hunting with the Hudzik .50 Caplock, so having a clear line of sight whilst remaining relatively close is pretty important. Other times, using elevated terrain gives a really good view of the action, and I can’t wait to try out the Feeder-Bow-Treestand combo some of our testers have been raving about![/p][p][/p][previewyoutube][/previewyoutube][p][/p][h2]See You in the Field[/h2][p]Designing features that are intended to work over a long period of time, on top of many different game systems, is definitely a challenge, but it’s been a really fun and rewarding journey.[/p][p]We hope you’ll enjoy the Game Feeder Pack.[/p][p][/p][p][dynamiclink][/dynamiclink][/p][p]Stay Wild! [/p][p]Chris~[/p][p][/p][p]P.S. If you’re a content creator and up to an extra challenge, join us on Dare Drop to test your skills, perform amazing feats and earn rewards![/p]
- [p]Give players a tool to more directly interact with different animal groups.[/p]
- [p]Give players new reasons to explore and engage with older reserves.[/p]
- [p]Make it work with whatever gear players already have, to help them create new hunting experiences, pursue their own goals, and tell their own stories while playing the game.[/p]