Winter Survival News

Welcome into the first announcement in 2025. How was your holiday? I hope you spend some time defeating your never-ending gaming backlog and you’re right now ready to face the challenges of a New Year.

As Winter Survival continues its journey through development, it’s time to focus on yet another core mechanic that we’ve managed to completely rework some time ago which is combat. 🪓

Our team has been hard at work overhauling how you face off against threats, so that every encounter feels more immersive, tactical, and rewarding. Let’s see what has been changed, shall we?



[h2]Refining the Core Combat Experience 🧠[/h2]

Since day one, our aim has been to capture the raw intensity of surviving in the cold wild. With your feedback in mind, we’ve reevaluated how combat functions. We wanted it to be challenging yet fair, empowering you to find multiple ways to defend yourself and make meaningful decisions in the heat of the moment.

[h3]Block Attacks 🛡️[/h3]

Gone are the days of just swinging wildly to keep enemies at bay. We’ve introduced a block mechanic that allows you to raise your guard and mitigate incoming damage. While you won’t entirely avoid harm, timing your blocks just right can tip the scales in your favor.



But watch your stamina — blocking still costs energy, and if you’re too tired, you might not hold up that guard in time.



[h3]Using Your Axe for Defense 🪓[/h3]

Your trusty axe isn’t just for chopping wood anymore — it can also help you block and parry enemy attacks. We heard from many players who wanted more versatility in their gear loadout, so we made sure your go-to tool could double up as a defensive option. It may be heavier and slower to maneuver than a spear, but its stopping power is unmatched.



[h2]Stay up-to-date 📰[/h2]

And that’s gonna be it for today’s announcement. Hope you really like the changes we’ve made some time ago and right now you’re well prepared to face those pesky wolves (am I the only one who hates them? 🤔). As always, your feedback is invaluable to us so keep those comments coming and help us make Winter Survival an even better experience. Until the next devlog!

https://store.steampowered.com/app/1394960/Winter_Survival/

~Sewek

It’s hard to believe it’s already been eight months since Winter Survival launched into Early Access. It feels like yesterday I was writing the launch announcement and we’re already slowly but surely approaching 2025. Today, we want to take a moment to revisit the game modes that make Winter Survival a diverse and compelling experience, providing something for everyone — from newcomers to the most hardcore survivalists.

We’ll also touch on what makes each mode unique and why you should explore them if you haven’t already. Plus, a quick update on what’s ahead for the story! So, without further ado, let’s roll!



[h2]Search for your missing friends in Story Mode ⛰️[/h2]

If you’re new to Winter Survival or simply prefer a more guided introduction to its mechanics, Story Mode is where your adventure should start. In this mode, you step into the shoes of Danny, a determined yet rookie survivalist who is desperately seeking for his missing friends in the unforgiving wilderness.

Story Mode isn’t just about the destination — it’s about the journey. As Danny, you’ll gradually learn and master all of the essential survival mechanics.



This mode is designed for players who want a more deliberate pace while immersing themselves in the narrative. It’s perfect for those looking to balance storytelling with survival gameplay. Currently, Story Mode includes ACT I and II but we’re still hard at work on Act III of Danny’s story, where even more challenges and revelations await.

Unfortunately, I cannot share much right now, so stay tuned for more information coming soon! And let’s not forget that ACT I and II have gone through a rework some time ago, so for those who completed it already, it might be a really good idea to replay it once again.

[h2]Brave the elements and survive in Survival Mode 🐻[/h2]

For those seeking freedom, creativity, and most importantly more challenging experience – Survival Mode should be your go-to mode when you first launch the game. In this open-ended sandbox, the primary goal is simple: stay alive as long as you can.

How you achieve that is entirely up to you. Build your cozy base, master resource gathering, and experiment with different strategies for long-term survival. With no fixed narrative, this mode encourages exploration and player-driven goals. Want to see how big your base can grow? Curious about the limits of your crafting skills? Survival Mode is where you can truly make the wilderness your own.



[h2]Climb up the ladder in Cold Wave Mode 🥶[/h2]

Are you a Winter Survival veteran looking for the ultimate test of skill? Enter Cold Wave, a mode specifically designed for hardcore players who have mastered every nuance of survival.
This is where the stakes are raised to a whole new level.

In the Cold Wave, your mission is not just to survive but to thrive under extreme conditions. The cold is relentless, the resources are scarce, and your endurance will be pushed to the limit. For those who thrive on competition and relentless difficulty, Cold Wave offers unmatched intensity. Prove your mettle, climb the ranks, and become the best survivalist out there.



[h2]Stay up-to-date 📰[/h2]
While you explore these modes, rest assured that the team is as busy as popcorn on the skillet to bring you the much-anticipated Act III of Winter Survival’s Story Mode. Whether you’re unraveling the mysteries of Story Mode, shaping your destiny in Survival Mode, or testing your limits in Cold Wave, Winter Survival has something for everyone.

If it’s been a while since you explored a particular mode, now’s the perfect time to dive back in. As always, don’t hesitate to share your feedback with us in the comments down below. We’re carefully analyzing every single comment out there and we want to make Winter Survival a better experience together with you, folks! Until the next devlog!

~Sewek

https://store.steampowered.com/app/1394960/Winter_Survival/

[h2]Balance[/h2]

• A heavy axe attack deals more damage than a light one [light: 5 dmg, heavy: 5-10 dmg].
  
• Added extra tips about using Instinct in Echoes of Sabotage 2 & 3 quests.
  
• Added more Mountain Moss in various areas.
  
• Changed Adaptation Level on which player is getting Wooden Bowl and Cup from level 16 to level 11.
  
• Changed weather is affected by sleeping time.
  

[h2]Bugfixes[/h2]

• Fixed a bug that stopped players from removing the battery from a device.
  
• Fixed a bug with charcoal spawning without limit.
  
• Fixed a bug that caused an overwhelming amount of blizzards in a short time.
  
• Fixed a blocker in “Hunting: Investigate” that prevented the player from picking up the trap after Save/Load.
  
• Fixed a bug that prevented the player from building when the player had a spear or axe in his hands.
  
• Fixed an exploit that could help players move past the Harbor Gate.
  
• Fixed a bug that let players fall under a map using the rope.
  
• Fixed names, icons, and descriptions for fries.
  

As Winter is slowly but surely approaching, I thought it’s gonna be the perfect time to finally share with you some inside info about the current state of the game and what our future plans are. It’s gonna be a fully transparent statement from our side, so I highly encourage you to read it till the end. I will divide the announcement into separate sections for easier and more convenient navigation, because I feel it might be a pretty long devlog. So, let’s not waste more time, and jump straight into it, shall we? 👇



[h2]Current State of the Game 📈[/h2]

Currently, Winter Survival has three different game modes to offer: Story Mode, Survival, and Cold Wave. Each one of them gives you a whole new experience and totally different approach to the game. For example in Story Mode you will experience the story of Danny and his missing friends while learning step by step all of the necessary survival mechanics like building, hunting, and simply staying alive.



Right now there are two acts available for you to try and for those of you who have already experienced it, I highly suggest you to go through it once again, because a lot has changed since the initial release into Early Access back in March 2024. And obviously that’s not all that we have to offer, but we’ll come back to it later on in this announcement.

Apart from the Story Mode, there are also survival and cold wave modes available. Survival offers you the opportunity to test your skills and master them to the perfection while staying alive as long as you can. Cold Wave however is aimed for the seasonal experts who have already learnt the ins and outs of the game and are looking to test their knowledge against the others. The idea is quite simple – the longer you stay alive while facing the ever-worsening weather, the higher your score will be. But the question is – how much are you willing to sacrifice to climb up the ladder?



[h3]Fixes and QoL improvements 🪱[/h3]

Obviously, content is one thing and fixing the game is the other, and we’re fully aware that we didn’t have quite the start we wanted and there were many of you who have experienced game breaking issues. But, thanks to your help and support we’ve managed to track most of those pesky bugs and problems. Since our EA launch back in March, we’ve managed to fix approximately five hundred bugs and adjust a plethora of different things to balance the game according to your feedback.

The icing on the cake is dozens of changes and general improvements that made their way into the game. To fully witness what we’ve managed to do, check our updated road map below. Rest assured, we’re still tracking your reports in Steam discussions, announcements, and on our discord server, so don’t hesitate and keep those comments coming, folks! 👍



[h2]What future holds for Winter Survival 🤔?[/h2]

Alrighty, since we’ve managed to cover the current state of the game, now it’s gonna be the high time to share some inside info about the future plans for the game. Let’s roll!

[h3]We’re working on ACT III 🔥[/h3]

Yes, you’ve heard that right! Currently we have a dedicated team that is focusing purely on bringing you the much anticipated ACT III for the story mode. Most of our efforts are put into the whole ACT III quest chain while working on brand-new features of which I cannot speak as of yet. It’s still quite a long journey till the end, but looking back in time we want to make sure that we deliver the best quality product possible to simply avoid any form of disappointment from your side.

Basically from now on we want to make sure that we're more than happy with the quality of the final product and only after that release it to you. No worries tho – the paratrooper makes sure that we work hard on a daily basis. Don't make him angry. You won't like him when he's angry!



[h3]Updates are on its way 👀[/h3]

I hope you’re still with me, because I promise that is the last thing we need to talk about. We understand that there are still issues, bugs, or problems – you name it – that we need to deal with. Having said that, till the end of a year you can expect two more game updates coming your way. We still do not have the exact date of the release, but as soon as I get that out from our producers, I’m gonna share that with you.

[h2]Stay up-to-date 📰[/h2]

Unfortunately, all good things come to an end. Right now, we’re waiting for your comments, so if you have any questions, suggestions, or simply would like to share your opinion with us, make sure to leave your answer in the comment section below. I’ll make sure to keep you folks updated on a regular basis regarding the progress we’ve made so far, but for now until the next devlog!

https://store.steampowered.com/app/1394960/Winter_Survival/

~Sewek

[h2]Balance[/h2]

• Overloaded inventory no longer stops you from moving, now you are very slow but still mobile
  

[h2]Bugfixes[/h2]

• Fixed bug in the Relocation quest in Act 2 that prevented you from building bed and door after Save/Load
  
• Fixed Bug in The Survivalist Instinct quest in Act 1 that locked the “Light Snow” weather and prevented you from getting Cave Buff later
  
• Fixed a bug that could lock you in the cave with Axe tutorial if you progressed through the quest in a certain way
  
• Fixed bug in the Hunting quest in Act 2 that made you lose input if you placed the bait before going up the hunting tower
  
• Fixed a bug with a missing Cowcatcher on the Trolley, which prevented you from leaving the cave in Act 2
  
• Fixed a bug that blocked the last objective if you dropped the Axe during the Axe tutorial
  
• Fixed a visual bug that didn’t show the timer in the Symptom tutorial in Act 1
  
• Fixed bug with missing device to open the metal gate in Act 2
  
• Added missing Leather and Hard Leather Patch recipes in Story Mode
  
• Fixed bug with Missing String Entry in Wrong Address quest
  
• Fixed bug with Missing String Entry on Metal Winch
  
• Removed not working Radio Tower from Cold Wave Mode
  
• Fixed a bug that allowed you to open inventory in the Strange Dream quest