2024 'quality of life' wishlist (fixes & improvements)

[covert junco]

As we leave 2023, a year in which the COTW team brought us a truly outstanding new map and some literally game-changing DLCs, with the e-caller and labrador retriever, I'm excited for what's coming in 2024. I hope the delay means that a portion of that time will be allocated to some quality of life requests that the community has been asking for.

Community QOL wishlist (revised):

Animal behaviours
. Reset ALL bear populations asap. ☑️
. Pumas and mountain lions to be muted or growling to be significantly decreased. ☑️
. Use multiple dogs on a hunt. ☑️ Resolved with the upcoming Expert Dog feature 🎉🎉🎉
. Fix lynx aggression and species interaction (possibly bobcats too). 🙏 Need to check
. Waterfowl flight mechanics rework, ie. landing on decoys and not player. ☑️ 🎉🎉🎉
. All hares and rabbits added to the e-caller. 🙏
Gear improvements
. E-caller to switch off when lifted off the ground. ☑️ Apparently addressed.
. E-caller button to return to storage. 😠 Apparently still not possible, a missed opportunity?
. Add a cache to the ATV 🙏
. Tent spook radius reduced. ☑️ Wasn't a big issue for me but glad for the improvement.
Weapons
. Automate handgun cocking mechanism after each firing❔need to check
Harvest screen and codex
. Rare and uncommon furs clearly highlighted on the harvest screen. 🙏
. More hunt details recorded in the animal kills register. 🙏
. Need zone times added to the codex (as they are discovered). 🙏
Other UI
. Add more loadouts as gameplay is so much more diverse now. 10 is not enough. 🙏
. Add a disable camera option for consoles. 🙏
Maps
. A Feeding zone marker for European rabbit locations. 🙏
. Different colour markers/waypoints on the map screen. 🙏
Audio
. Audio sliders for waterfowl, callers and ATV 🙏
. Remove annoying dragging bush noise. ☑️❔Been addressed, but not sure if still an issue.
Lodges
. Trophy Manager Filter for the Trophy lodge 🙏
. A cache box added to the trophy lodges 🙏

[zenith widget]

very nice suggestion

[somber iron]

be able to deploy waterfowl decoys in preset patterns for ease of setup and takedown. high caliber rifles, more duck and Upland birds, backfills of reserves

[craggy wyvern]

Good list! 👍

[dense cloud]

• Audio sliders for waterfowl and callers

[steady dragon]

Trophy Manager Filter for the Trophy lodge

[covert junco]

Thanks. Some great suggestions in the comments too that I'll add to the main post later.

[covert junco]

Definitely. Added

[covert junco]

I really need this! Added.

[craggy wyvern]

Thanks for including #6.

[signal pollen]

Animal aggression rework,make Wolves less aggressive,and make geese (especially the Canadian Goose)incredibly aggressive for example.

[craggy wyvern]

Wolves: Could leave the Alpha or max weights with slightly higher aggression than the others perhaps. 🤔

That way the potential G.O.s would still have a better chance to raise blood pressure. 😮

[signal pollen]

Well,we now know that wolf packs are led by the mother.

[covert junco]

Only mechanics for this list, Ayoliam. But I do agree with you, Especially the geese!

[signal pollen]

I mean,it does have to do with mechanics.

[covert junco]

Haha! Brilliant.

[dense cloud]

One of my fav qol changes that were added, is the fleeing call. So simple, yet still very helpful feature.

[covert junco]

Okay, no animal mechanics. LOL. But that could be a very interesting [separate] thread discussion though!

[signal pollen]

I did make one a while ago,I might do a 2.0 after I’m done with https://discord.com/channels/393040947006406657/1187670413002690590

[covert junco]

Please elaborate.

[dense cloud]

You know the animal already left, so you don't waste your time sneaking or calling it. This often the case with foxes.

[covert junco]

Yes. Do it. 👍

[covert junco]

Oh, sorry. I'm having two conversations at once. IRL brother on the phone. LOL

Yes, you are correct. The Fleeing call was a brilliant addition.

[craggy wyvern]

Perhaps a case for a female G.O. and maybe a lone male G.O. 🤔

[covert junco]

Okay, I'm relenting to animal mechanics because I want to add all hare and rabbits to the ecaller. 😄

I think gamebirds, such as the pheasants and quails, are fine as they are because they reveal themselves often enough when disturbed.

Can't decide about the wolves. They're annoying but I kind of like the thrill of them keeping me on my toes when hunting in wolf areas. I take out a dog that has the predator warding off perk and I carry a bow on me. It wards them off most of the time and if they do attack I get to silently take out a few before they finish me off. Kerching! 🤑

Lynx need adjustment though. They piss off everything that's ten times bigger than them. Moose often get stuck in a an annoying barking loop with them. They've also ruined reindeer drink zones and reduced their time to 1.5 hours.

[covert junco]

Any more suggestions?

[craggy wyvern]

Just an observation, but there seems to be a lot of requests for remodeling of various species of fauna. 👀

[covert junco]

I know. I think they're covered in that regard. LOL. 😂

Maybe a separate thread is a good idea. Personally, I'm not too fussed over the animal upgrades unless it's for truracks or non-aesthetic mechanics. I'd prefer to see quality of life improvements but it's really a balance for everything, isn't it?

[tardy tinsel]

I feel like https://discord.com/channels/393040947006406657/1102702602757619753 is coming with the new map, they always do something to the harvest screen when a new map drops

[signal pollen]

My Vote would have to go towards https://discord.com/channels/393040947006406657/1190459649200242718.

[covert junco]

Already liked. Top of my list for sure. I may be foolishly optimistic but I also feel like this might happen with the next release.

[covert junco]

Adding 'more loadouts' to the list.
As I said on another thread, "With all the new features (dog, ecaller) and the different possible gameplay styles now, which I like to dip in and out of, I could definitely do with at least another 5 slots, A few more bow and class 1 loadouts would be very useful."

[solemn sigil]

Would love to be able to leave different color markers on the map screen. To keep track shooter zones, single animal zones, diamond duck that I just missed, ect, ect, ect

[covert junco]

Added

[covert junco]

All hares and rabbits added to the ecaller too please. 🙏
My case:
Now that we have the ecaller and the Labrador, it makes sense to make hares and rabbits properly huntable species. The Labrador has brought so much life to gamebird and waterfowl hunting but these species are much more visible when in flight and often fly towards you. Hares are most often invisible in the brush making them very difficult to spot and at the moment just not as fun to hunt. Adding them to the ecaller would be a gamechanger another class 1 species.

[neon night]

1. Increase penetration of all bullets to be closer to reality
2. Replace polymer tips with fullmetal jackets/change their stats to reflect their irl effects
3. Increase penetration of soft points compared to expansion
4. Overhaul ballistic systems to properly simulate and portray bullet paths and effects

[solemn sigil]

In my state full metal jacket bullets are not legal for big game. They leave a pin hole exit and do little damage.

[signal pollen]

That’s because they are used for headshots/Heartshots,you know,what you’d actually shoot when hunting Big/Dangerous game.

A well built FMJ round will shatter shortly after hitting a soft target.

Therefore,lots of damage not so much energy,it is much better than having completely inaccurate ammo types having inaccurate effects.

[solemn sigil]

Shattering after hitting a soft target is normally not good. Idk. I get what you are going for. Some polymer tipped bullets expand quicker than soft points but not all. Just depends on the bullet. I think more options with each caliber is a great idea btw.

[signal pollen]

Usually they make it quite a ways inside the animal,before shattering,but yes it very much depends on the bullet.

But,It’s really only legal on dangerous game.

[tribal oasis]

Buying "X" bullets needs to be added to the shop

[covert junco]

Wishlist requests reminder. 🙏

[edgy river]

Cool list.

[mighty sage]

nice list

[misty pier]

Rabbits don't really use calls much, so idk about adding them to the e-caller

But

I'd like to see a different ammo cover different classes with the rifles, like the Hudzik does it. Like a round for the 7mm and .300 that's just 6-9, or a round with the .270 and .30-30 for 3-7

[covert junco]

That wish list needs a revision but e-calling rabbits are definitely staying. 🐇 😂

[misty pier]

please, minus fmjs but please

[covert junco]

I'm not familiar enough with weaponry to confidently make a list of them and maintain it. Maybe this is something you guys could put together and start a thread on?

[craggy wyvern]

Bump

[misty pier]

After checking out the Angler, I found a free dlc for fishing poles called the classic gear pack.

Not even joking, they have more style than any rifle in CotW. Maple grips accented with silver, engraving on the reels, what looks like an octagonal blank for the pole. Seriously, why can we not get a cool gear set like this?

Maple/rosewood rifle stock, octagon barrel, engravings, they'd all be fantastic additions. we have a little customization in game, just expand it a little. maybe give us an option to change the caliber of a given model (love the new 7mm's animations but if I could get that with a .30-06 or 9.3x62 i'd love it) for like 15-30K

[covert junco]

I need to update that list and put 'bear population reset' at the top of it. 😂 🧸

[covert junco]

2024 'quality of life' wishlist (fixes & improvements)

QOL list has just been updated and is now sorted by category. Please drop your suggestions if you have any.
Link to top: #1188488227695382599 message

[stray nest]

im a pc player, i have few QOL suggestions: 1. Make the button for "enter/exit" of hunting structures the same as the portable ones [SPACE] instead of [E] which is the same button for spotting animals. 2. Give a different shades of blue for shallow water on the map, especially on long river so i don't have to run 1km for nothing. 3. Balance the portable structures, either buff groundblinds & treestands scent & visibility, or (people will hate me for this) nerf tripods visibility because they stick out like a sore thumb 😅

[covert junco]

Thanks for your input Zaki. We have a similar issue on consoles regarding the exit//enter and interact buttons. Will add those. Some great suggestions.👍

[misty pier]

Dunno if it was added, but it would be really nice to move the spot animal prompt from the middle of the screen down to a corner with the place marker prompt.its mildly annoying that it blocks the animal you actually want to spot instead of the fifteen cows in front of the bull

[covert junco]

Thanks, @misty pier . That's big one. I'll do a proper update today.

[misty pier]

Thanks

[tropic pier]

How about an alternate way spawn G1's other than the HM grind.... https://discord.com/channels/393040947006406657/1242416386031091753

Also UI updates like Map icon filtering and 3rd person camera perspectives

dont forget Trophy Shots

[covert junco]

Hey JJ. Thanks. These feel more like 'ideas' suggestions for new mechanics. To avoid a massively endless list I'm trying to keep the focus on improvements for current mechanical elements that could be adjusted to improve the QOL experience. Hope that's okay?

[covert junco]

I see it come up a lot. Apparantly it existed before? I'm not a hunter so never paid much attention to it. Do you mind explaining how it works?

[tropic pier]

Its a carry over from Hunter classic where the animal killed can be posed and the hunter can pose with their kill to take a picture

[covert junco]

LOL. So literally 'trophy shot'. Now I feel dumb! I thought it was some fancy hunting term for a particular kind of amazing kill. Hahahaaa. 🤦 😂

[tropic pier]

Third person camera perspective would be a requirement unless you hunt with a buddy who can take the shot for you ....

But in Classic you have the ability to pose the animal i a variety of ways ....

[covert junco]

It's a shame we can't do it. There's so much they could do with third person or birds-eye views. Watching Jaxy's stream yesterday made me think it would be awesome to appreciate maps that way.

[covert junco]

That's great. I want this! That claim harvest notice is annoying too!

[tropic pier]

That would absolutely be a great feature to do a map fly over but could be exploited ... I know their are suggestions to have drones but I'm afrid those too would be exploited

[covert junco]

I thought that too but then they grinders exploit the drink zones so I got over it quickly. LOL
The drones are controversial but meh. there's already so much that's not realistic. It's a game. I just want the vistas.

[tropic pier]

If they could have the birds eye view without revealing animal locations that could be possible

so kind of like when you spawn in a tent and all animals are invisible ... so in birds eye view they would do the same thing

[covert junco]

Thought the same but that might be fuss to build. Needs to be something they can monetise. And then people will want animal locations. I think they should just do the drones. Those who are against it don't have to buy the DLC. I reckon it would be extremely popular.

[covert junco]

Yeah, it could be a partial reveal or something.

[tropic pier]

well it might not be as difficult as you think .... we know they have the ability in the dev tool to do a fly over. And we know they already have the ability to flag animals as invisible if they want ... So most of the development has already been done ...

[covert junco]

That's very true!! Hmmm. Good thinking!

[tropic pier]

I'm just afraid if you could see the animals in the fly over it would be much worse than exploiting the drink zones .....

Also In a realistic sense flying a drone low enough to spot the animals would spook them anyway ... There was an exploit back in the day where you could get on a ATV and herd the animals to the edge of the map then get off the ATV and kill 10's of hundreds . ... I fear it would be much worse with a drone

[covert junco]

Yeah. That's a fair enough concern. Maybe that's the answer, the drone spooks the animals if it is up for too long or goes too low. It's use has to be brief and considered. There's needs to be some sort of gameplay balance.

[covert junco]

Hey Huxley. At a first glance, I thought you meant the 'claim trophy' prompt. I'm not having any issues with the spotting prompt. Are you saying it prevents you from spotting the animal behind another one? Sometimes the spotting can be a bit tricky but how does the prompt cause a problem? I'm probably being a bit thick about what you meant but would you mind explaining?
I'm on Xbox so it may appear differently.

[misty pier]

I'm on ps5. It looks similar to the ss you posted but but the prompt keeps flashing up as you try to change animals and it won't spot the animal you are actually aiming for. I think the prompt gets stuck on one animal rather than moving when you scan a herd

[covert junco]

Right. Could this be a bug with the prompt text?
I've never experienced this with the prompt text but have had issues with the crosshairs not being accurate and unable to spot a slightly partially hidden animal. Then on other occasions, it can spot a completely concealed animal behind a rock or below the horizon. The mechanics definitely need finetuning.

[misty pier]

I didn't notice it before switching to ps5. I'm not sure if it's just the prompt or an actual bug

[covert junco]

That doesn't sound right. Have you reported it to support? I will hop in later and check it but I'm sure my prompt switches to whichever animal it spots.

[misty pier]

I did report it but haven't heard anything yet

[somber iron]

reset pop on reindeer on medved, backfill maps ie Canada Goose on new eng, mallard on missip

[covert junco]

Why do reindeer need a pop reset?

[stray nest]

Another qol & fixes suggestion:

1. Make inspecting Blood splatter the priority when it is overlapping with other trails
2. Make blood splatter from shotgun more consistent, sometimes it appears as small "no organ hit" blood even tho some pellets do hit an organ
3. Mouse hovering-over items should not overrides the choice after clicking an item. Like choosing ATV or choosing gun to customize
4. Hunt club missions still didn't count new species in some missions e.g. javan rusa, sambar, & hog deer didn't count in "hunt any deer species" mission

[covert junco]

So many good points, @stray nest . Thanks. I'm out most of today but will try to do a refresh on this list by tomorrow. Before that DLC arrives and takes up all my time!

[craggy wyvern]

Bump.

Just realized that I left my e-caller behind again. 🤦

7.3k away in South Sundarpatan in tiger territory. 😆

[covert junco]

I've done that three times this week and twice today on Sundar. AAAAAARGH!

[misty pier]

A little alert when you get out of range would be helpful. Maybe just a 3x beep

[dense cloud]

Not a single QOL improvement with this update. Other than the paid content only 2 visual reworks and some bug fixes after a year of waiting...

[covert junco]

I haven't played COTW for a few months which has nothing to do with the game itself. I really wanted to complete all the story paths in cyberpunk 2077 and set up some character builds in ESO - a very time consuming endeavour! 😂

Waterfowl was a big part of my COTW gameplay so I am extremely glad to hear that their mechanics will be improved in the next update. The landing thing was a frustrating sore point. Also, the clay pigeon range sounds awesome and I can't wait to try it.

HuntClub got some love too. Hurray!!! This is my main form of gameplay so this is really fantastic news.

And a pointer too?!!! With 'expert dog' mode. It feels like Christmas. Can't wait to get stuck in on the new map next week. Hoping there's a bundle so I can get everything. Thank you, team!🤞🎄 🎅 💝

*I've updated the original post to reflect the previous and upcoming changes. *