How Horses Could Function in COTW

[static oyster]

Wanted to really hash out the idea of horses,

Ok so I think it would be kinda cool for horses to function a bit like dogs, you would have your bond lvl which I figure at no hearts your horse will just sit there or graze if you dismount and won’t follow you around and gives no boost to exp. for companion levels. With each heart gained your horse will be more likely to follow you while dismounted and will get an exp. boost. To increase bond would work the same as dogs aside from “play” which could be replaced with “brush” (animations would be short, this isn’t a horse care simulator haha).

As for how the horse works as transport. It would have 4 types of movement: walk, reverse, trot, and canter. Walking would be slightly faster than the players walking speed with each gait being faster but ultimately shouldn’t exceed 16kmh/10mph without traits, 27kmh/ 17mph with traits. (These are just the canter speeds irl that horses are capable of the actual speeds in game would have to balanced properly for the game)
You could switch between gaits by tapping W and S aside from reverse which is used by holding S. A and D would allow you to turn with any gait.

Without traits the horses walking speed could be slightly louder than the players with each gait increasing the amount of noise generated. Canter should be louder than the player but not as loud as the atv. With traits walking noise could be equal to the player but other gaits should still be slightly louder than the player.

A base ability that I think would be nice to have (and would be a QoL improvement for the atv as well) would be to use binoculars on a vehicle or horse while stationary.

I figure leveling will depend on what traits would end up in game because if the horse has traits like mounted shooting you should have to work your butt off for that imo.

To be clear about the traits, these are just thrown at the wall ideas that I came up with while making the traits concept UI, they are not balanced and in no way am I suggesting they be implemented exactly like this. Also please do not judge my hastily painted horse lol.

[lament dagger]

Add mules and I’m sold.

[static oyster]

Yeah didn’t want to get into “horse” breeds with this post cause that will take over lol

But I would be happy to have mules and donkeys as well

[main wadi]

Good stuff

[tropic cedar]

If it's anything like rdr2 than I'm sold

[static oyster]

Definitely not exactly like rdr2, idk how well cotw’s engine could handle their mechanics haha but I hope I’ve suggested a balance between usefullness to the players and feasibly possible to implement.

[main wadi]

Nah that's too much of a tall order for COTW

[lament dagger]

Quite a few of the devs who worked on RDR2 are currently working on cotw so its a possibility

[static oyster]

Yeah it’s just that the actual game engines are different so idk how much of a chokehold that puts em in but we can dream!

[main wadi]

The engine can't even handle peafowl I doubt it could handle super dynamic horses

[lament dagger]

Where was this stated?

Just curious

[main wadi]

With the release of Rancho

[lament dagger]

I’m so confused… Why would they be talking about peafowl during a Mexican map release?

[main wadi]

It had to do with Ocellated Turkey (even though they don't live there) and therefore, Peafowl too.

[lament dagger]

I don’t think that’s relevant anymore. They’ve learned how to maximize their capabilities and that has been proven on Revontuli alone.

[static oyster]

Makes me think it was issue with iridescence possibly but either way if you guys wanna continue this discussion could you move to a different channel plz 😅

[main wadi]

Its also been like two dev teams since then, so maybe. But I wouldn't ask for much then for a couple colors of horses and that's it.

[sick coyote]

Yes pleaseee

[tropic cedar]

Not at all exactly, if it's at all even remotely close to rdr2s amazing mechanics then it will be incredible.

[static oyster]

I doubt you could add red dead’s mechanics 1 to 1 to this game, it would be completely unbalanced and getting the animals to react properly would be a nightmare not to mention how chaotic it could make multiplayer.

[tropic cedar]

Hell, even rdr1 horse mechanics in cotw would be great, (maybe slow them down a bit)

[static oyster]

This game overall just doesn’t have red dead’s fluidity unfortunately.

[sick coyote]

Yeah

[terse lark]

How did that end up happening

[uncut quest]

Change it so weapons can be used while moving and im sold

[static oyster]

As I said traits aren’t final, but I do shudder to think of how wobbly your sights would be on horseback lol.

[uncut quest]

Thats part of the fun trying to bow hunt a bison herd whilst riding and wobbling around on a horse

[static oyster]

I suppose shooting handgun and bow from a moving horse could be feasible shooting a rifle would be a pain if they made the horse physics realistic and only allowed first person which is what I would assume they’d do if they made this a reality

[static oyster]

Back to top

[placid dawn]

Hello @static oyster!

Thank you for your detailed suggestion about adding horses to the game. It was received by our team and will be taken into consideration.

If you have any other thoughts you'd like to share, feel free to do so here: https://support.thehunter.com/hc/en-us/requests/new

[static oyster]

Holy! It got noticed!

[high rune]

I'd like to think if you have extra stuff in your inventory while you have your horse and that perk, then send your horse away, your rifles just fall onto the ground and you can't pick them up.

[static oyster]

lol that would be super funny

[wicked basin]

I really hope they add them in

[sick gull]

this is cool! I love the work you put into the concept art, you're a very talented artist and i love those perk ideas

[static oyster]

Thank you

[calm crypt]

That would be really good

[vague knoll]

I was just talking to my friends about wanting horses in the game! The atv hurts my head and I've actually noticed hearing problems stemmed from driving for to long 🥲 as I'm to deaf to keep the game volume low but to sensitive to noise to actually use the atv
I'd love a quieter way to get around faster

[static oyster]

It drives me nuts as well! (And that’s coming from someone who drives em irl haha) I usually only use the atv to unlock all the outposts and lookouts on the map and I keep my game muted as I don’t bother hunting while I’m on it.

[vague knoll]

Id love either horses or a atv specific volume slider

[vague knoll]

Both would be the answer to my prayers

[tame skiff]

Give us the honse

[wicked basin]

Bump

[gritty geyser]

Just came on this morning to suggest horses, and see you’ve done an excellent job already. Nice work! Would love to see this, maybe as an add-on with various saddles, breeds, and unique weapons!

[fluid sky]

i doubt it'd be similar to rdr2 just for Tons of Various Reasons (like rdr2's horse movement being extremely complex, expensive and the part of the reason it's so accurate is because of motion capture technology) but i do think horses/mules would be really great to see ingame as a quieter form of transporation/movement

if u where to ask me. mules and horses into different categories/forms of transporation. mules would be (slightly) slower but have a better advantage/speed on rough and hilly terrain (no sort of potential movement debuff in going uphill. or downhill. mules are Generally better and more confident on rough/hilly terrain. so for ex mules on a map like sundarpatan would be most efficent) while horses would be better on flatter terrain and able to maintain a better gait/consistent movement (better for say any map w more open flat terrain) (horses can def be trained to traverse hilly enviroments but just generally mules are better at it)

smthin like that

[broken crag]

I’d love this!

[static oyster]

Yeah this was mainly for an idea of how they might function mechanically in general just used horses as the example but I would love to see both in game

And I definitely do not expect them to function like red dead (nor would I want that specially mechanically), but I would hope the animation quality would be up to the standards of the newer animals in game already.

[wicked basin]

Wouldn't be bad to choose from 1 or the other with Horses 1st & Mule's 2nd each with a purpose just as the dogs did.

[wicked basin]

? for yea. I love the idea to earn the ability to shoot while mounted but isn't that going to be alittle OP? I know its hard to do I've done it before but in-game wont that be alittle too easy?

I get that the trait would be awhile to get but once you unlock it whats stopping players from chasing game & mowing them down? On the Atv I've seen ppl run game with it jump off & go town so I'm curious if you took that into account or how you'd expect to counter it.

[static oyster]

That’s why I suggested you can only shoot when stopped and that any movement other than a walk should still be louder than the player character on foot, you would have to tap s 3 times to stop the horse pull out your gun and then shoot a spooked animal, I suppose you could add it so that your heart rate goes up a bit the faster you ride as well, as riding a horse irl does technically require some effort on the riders part. But as I said the traits aren’t perfectly balanced, shouldn’t be implemented exactly as suggested, and only the devs know the best to implement things for how they want the game to function.

My intended use of mounted shooting was kinda a small elevation boost similar to a stand without as much cover, I definitely do not want the mowing down animals but I guess I forget not everyone tries to take the ethical shot on every animal they want to harvest in this game.

[wicked basin]

I didn't mean anything by it it was a thought I had and was curious about your take on it. I do love the idea esp. When idle but on the move I figured would be like the Atv where you cant but the loophole was you had no added heart rate but your trying to hit a moving target. My fear was that trait would get abused shooting game on the run point blank like a hip fire.

But you are right its defn not easy trying to shoot with both hands 🤣

[static oyster]

I didn’t take offense sorry I know tone over text is complicated was just trying to explain better, read it like I’m rambling and trying to brainstorm solutions haha, and I’m not sure if the horse would be fast enough to keep up with sprinting deer if their max speed is a canter so hopefully that could help prevent that

[wicked basin]

Valid point. It would be a good prevention measure. I know alot of ppl were probably excited to run up on game and use a traditional bow or the cowboy act with a revolver or lever. Thats what got me thinking about it more.

[static oyster]

Yeah my hope for the horse/mule would be for it to be a slightly faster way to get around, but still work as a companion for hunting if you take it slower

Slightly faster against the player not the atv to be clear lol

[wicked basin]

I wanted it for authenticity & a quiter way to travel traditionally over a d##n EV 🤣 my wife calls me an old man with a shotgun yelling at ppl to get off my land...alot 😅

[static oyster]

lol I feel that, and yeah the atv is loud for sure

[wicked basin]

I love Atv's but in-game it sounds like a bad exhaust leak. & the new generation is on the EV band wagon it drives me nuts. Give me a horse and I'm good.

[static oyster]

Yeah wish I had the land for one but I also just wish I had the land for a farmstead in general, dunno how you’d even get a battery with enough charge to matter on an atv I’ve been in situations where we’ve literally had to drive till 3:00am (started at 8:00am) just to get back to the truck an trailer to head back to town, don’t think an ev would last that long

[wicked basin]

Its not practical unless you have a power source & solar only gets you so far. Their really fickle & sensitive plus in cold conditions they drain power. In the heat they could overheat & if the battery ignites good luck putting it out unless you have a special extinguisher. They're not worth it. But I appreciate the reply. The concept looks great & I like the thought having a familiar feel to the dogs bc horses are pretty social...& rather stubborn 😅

[static oyster]

Back to top

[harsh rock]

xas

[wicked basin]

Bump

[static oyster]

Lol just came into boost this but you beat me to it haha Ty.

[wicked basin]

I really want horses & they play a vital role in my reserve suggestion.

[static oyster]

Totally fair! I think I saw it and gave it a thumbs up but I’ve lost track of it now, you can link it here if you’d like 😁

[wicked basin]

https://discord.com/channels/393040947006406657/1328486784044105819

[vivid harbor]

this actually sounds great, I´d be happy that the horses worked just like the ATVs but this sounds amazing

[static oyster]

Ty, and ig we’ll find out (hopefully 🤞)

[wicked basin]

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[wicked basin]

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[wicked basin]

🐎

[wicked basin]

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[wicked basin]

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[wicked basin]

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[meager salmon]

The horse really would helpful in Mississippi fields. I carried tripod a while because of the tall grass.

[wicked basin]

Agree with ya there its really hard to hunt rabbits & coons with the fields being so tall. Dont get me started on the quail. As fun as they are there a nightmare to hunt.

[static oyster]

Top

[idle falcon]

Petha the horase is hea

[harsh marlin]

I think this biggest thing they would be used for is a slower atv that doesn't scare half the maps animals away

[wicked basin]

Plus the immersion of it. Just the satisfaction alone is worth it.

[wicked basin]

^

[wise torrent]

you know what would mkae hunting tahr on TE even better...? horse :]

i dont think u should be able to shoot off them is good but even just being able to spot off them would be huge

[vivid harbor]

Man the other day my friends and I where thinking how awesome it would be if we could just take a ride around the maps by horse

[idle falcon]

imagine riding a horse in a herd of plains bison

[eternal jay]

An approximate load limit is assigned to a mule (75–110 kg or 165–243 pounds), and this sets a rough limit on the number of animals you can hunt. For example, if you want to hunt several elk, you’re forced to estimate how many you could realistically carry based on the mule’s capacity. An elk skull and hide weigh, approximately, between 30 and 45 kg (66–99 pounds). What do you think of this “realistic” idea?

If you only have one mule, you’ll need to ride it and carry the load on it at the same time. This means the available capacity for carrying trophies will be significantly reduced.

You’ll need two mules or horses if you want: one to ride and one to carry the load.

[harsh marlin]

But animal weight is taken into account fir the play, and having a carry weight implies that you would need to take them to an outpost, but as the player you can kill 7 bison and collect them instantly, so for the to work in correspondence with the game the animal collection mechanics would have to be scraped and re worked

[static oyster]

Feel like it’s a bit too complicated of an ask in addition to bringing in horses (that traditionally are really difficult to animate correctly in general even rdr2 has the gallop wrong). And it could possibly make having a horse equipped very frustrating comparatively as there’s no system like that in the game for just walking around or using the atv. But it’s a fun idea to possibly have specific breeds being better for hauling or better for traveling (they’d have to come up with way more traits for the bond system though).

[idle falcon]

Would they be able to cross shallow water

[static oyster]

I don’t see why they wouldn’t be able to but ultimately that’s up to the devs I suppose

[hidden wadi]

This is really an excellent idea. And it is very necessary in the game to cover long distances.

I think it would also be great to be able to carry some accessories in a small bag compartment, on the horse. Or even 2 more weapons, since the same is possible to do in real life as well.

It would be absolutely necessary to be able to use both the binoculars and the weapons while on horseback. This would make hunting in packs much easier, whether of birds or buffalo, for example. As for the variation in movement, we already have this when the character is tired, so let's say it would only be a little more while sitting under the horse's saddle.

In short, it is an excellent idea.

[indigo breach]

DONKE

[static oyster]

Still adding top for peeps who want to read the earlier discussions

[charred solar]

I was so sad they didn't add horse into the Feedback Survey...
I wrote it into the "other" section but seeing there was repetitive push of a 'spear' and 'falconry' even though horses was requested by so many people already and I don't happened to notice people wanting spears or falconry ...

[vivid harbor]

Man I crave horseback riding in Cotw

[vivid harbor]

🐎

[charred solar]

People say horses can't be a thing in CotW because of how hard it is to animate- Well the game already animated dozens of ungulates, I don't think they wouldn't be able to handle a horse. It is hard to animate but firstly, it wouldn't be a new thing to the animators bcs they focus on animals compared to other games focused on people first and then horse as extra,
and second, the animations won't have to perfect because you probably won't properly see it due to the camera angle.
And if they wanted, there is a lot of people around here who would gladly animate it for them for free 😁

[vivid harbor]

Who even said that? Dogs pee and poop I don't see how a horse scratching its snout on a leg is any different, or galloping is any different than any other animal running

[sick gull]

horse gaits are a fair bit more complex than other animals tbh

[vivid harbor]

Its some work, but not more than creating a whole map, with new species of trees, bushes and types of rock, as well as making sure all terrain is walkable, and making and animating 3-8 new species, adding possible need zones to said map, animating walking, trotting, running, feeding, feeding nervous, drinking, drinking nervous etc. It's just a single animal, it could be a full dlc

[charred solar]

I saw that in some similar threads maybe even here I don't remember where but I saw that as an argument, so I wanted to write down my argument 😄

[static oyster]

.

[static oyster]

Only place animation for em being difficult was mentioned in this thread is the above reply I grabbed and I don’t recall anyone flat out against adding horses in this thread. Not trying to dogpile just trying to keep things clear for folks. But yeah the “animating horses is too difficult for the devs to add them to the game period” is a rather silly argument.

[vivid harbor]

Bump

[dim echo]

An ability to shoot with a saddle gun would be interesting addition, rush into a herd and saddle shoot

[vivid harbor]

Bump

[static oyster]

Hey we hit 200!

[static oyster]

Top

[winged cloud]

Donkey?

[static oyster]

Hopefully

[somber jolt]

Was just about to make this recommendation then saw this post. Would be fire🔥

[exotic basin]

Horse

[static oyster]

Fun little idea (not necessary but it’d be nice for immersion) would be that your tack “accessories” change depending on the traits you have for your horse. Ex: “Road Trip” could add a holster with a gun in it and a saddle bag, while pack horse could add multiple saddlebags. The holster could also change with what weapon type you’re using based on what’s in your first slot.

[vivid harbor]

Bump

[static oyster]

Welp with the new rules seems this discussion is gonna be dead unless folks search for it so guess this is prolly the last I’ll post on here unless other folks have ideas to add, also this is The last link for mobile users to jump to the Top if anyone stops by.

[charred solar]

'the new rules' ?? o.o

[static oyster]

https://discord.com/channels/393040947006406657/1409912078914818049

[charred solar]

Ooooh the "Do not Bump" one, I kept reading through it but didn't find it, I was blind.
That's a pity. BUT this idea have a LOT of fans and upvotes, and I am sure plenty of new players will at least check if someone considered this idea too. I have hopes this thread won't be pushed down.

[static oyster]

Threads are also arranged by date now unless you change the setting ”sort and view” in the upper left (which you have to do a-lot cause it resets)

[static oyster]

Heres other folks who have suggested horses and their ideas for them, give em some support and feel free to pitch your own ideas or build off stated ones in these threads. Hopefully we’ll have some 4 legged transport someday!

https://discord.com/channels/393040947006406657/1084329283855593532

https://discord.com/channels/393040947006406657/1126948626778816682

https://discord.com/channels/393040947006406657/1427388224531071017

https://discord.com/channels/393040947006406657/1441736614878646322

https://discord.com/channels/393040947006406657/1190287141952032878

https://discord.com/channels/393040947006406657/1322677057142128791

[static oyster]

Also I went back through this thread and deleted what extra boosts I could, so previous conversations/ideas should hopefully be easier to find and review for anyone who wants to. Happy hunting!

[static oyster]

I’ll prolly try to move this post and the other main ideas in it over to the new feedback forum, hope to see folks over there!