Question Thread :: Milton Mailbag

[hozz1235]

Who is Ryan Smith? (Grave outside St. Christopher's church).

[Smellyfries]

What's your favorite kind of cake?

[musrass]

I've already finished the first two episodes, but was thinking of going back to episode one to get a couple of Steam achievements – if I start a new game (and don't finish), will the new save trump the old one so that I'll have to start all over again when the Redux is released?

Thanks for answering so many questions, even the rude and hostile ones.

[Spilcapes]

Are you planning to make cabin fever terrifying?

Because now it's just annoying weird thing that everyone hates. Maybe u could add some creepy noises and music to this illness.

[greatwhitegamer]

When can we expect a trailer for the update this month?

[Seshins]

Question - Animal Migration.

Hello HL / Ralph.

I was wondering about an animal migration mechanic - i know this has been brought up in other areas of the forum but wasn't sure if it had been directly addressed by the dev team. I have no idea of the complexities of game design so this idea may be out of touch,

Would it be possible to have a rolling animal number mechanic, whereby the total "herd" size of a particular game animal (in this case only deer ATM) grows at a generally even rate within a region, peaking for a time (say a game month) before slowly decreasing over time, while at the same time the "herd" size in a neighboring region increases at roughly the same rate as the emptying region, thus giving the illusion of a herd "moving on" . Perhaps this mechanic could be supported by hunting pressure, leading to a further moving on of the herd. And perhaps dedicated wolf packs could pursue the herds around GBI?

Thanks

[ThePancakeLady]

Okay Raph.

Admit it.

The reason you gave us fuel doors that open on vehicles, and some car batteries that can be removed, is so we can rig up and fill the tank of...

... so we can kill whatever lives in the new region yet to come in Wintermute?

And if not... why???

[NardoLoopa]

I'm sure it only me, but Will & Astrid's lack of trigger discipline in the rifle-holding animation bugs me; any chance stumbling with the rifle armed would cause the discharge of a round?

[Tri13]

Is there a plan to update all the textures and graphics of the game I mean you've gone a long way graphics wise from the beginning but the long dark with new gen graphics would be my dream game. And I do understand this might interfere with the artistic style you have chosen for the long dark but it would still be cool to see. Also on the road to story mode video, you guys made a while back I love the new color grading and extra detail you put into the houses. And also Ralph you remember Mirrors Edge: Catalyst from back in 2016 right. It was a gorgeous game with top-notch graphics and gameplay yet everybody hated it do you have an opinion on that. PS: If you don't want to answer the last question you don't want to.

Edited December 7, 2018 by Tri13

[hozz1235]

I know you guys are focused on current issues and future content, but have you ever considered releasing prior versions of the game?  Looking through some of your older YouTube videos gave me a great sense of nostalgia.

[esam115]

when the new update will release?
Also, is there any plan to translate the game into the Arabic language, I know that the Arab community is small, but I hope there will be an Arabic translation it will be nice.

[Pillock]

What's the thing you're most excited about in the Redux? The biggest improvement as you see it?

[hozz1235]

It appears from your early dev diaries (circa 2014) and TLD prototype videos, that you originally intended to have other NPCs in the game.  Yes, there are those in Wintermute, but did you ever intend to have them in Survival Mode as well?  If so, why did you make the decision to not include them?

[Sopinien]

Will The game ever be Ported to Nintendo Switch as well ? ... Would love to play the long dark on the go !!!

[XAlaskan_420X]

In both survival mode and Wintermute there appears to be evidence of past earthquakes. Lest me explain. In Wintermute there is the rockslide west or north west of the bridge (up that road, near the path from the cave), the collapsed tunnel in Milton. In survival mode there appears to be rockslide blockades on Coastal Highway and the broken bridge in Broken Railroad. There are also other places where a street pole or power line is knocked down. The dam maintenance building in Mystery Lake is in rough shape. This all looks like evidence of earthquakes. Will we find out that earthquakes are apart of (or contributed to) the quite apocalypse? Will earthquakes become a part of the story in episode 3 or 4 and/or a danger or challenge in the game? 
Interestingly, that earthquake that I experienced here in Alaska on Nov 30th made me think of this because after that, I just had earthquakes on my mind with everything. It even made me remember a game that I used to play when I was 13. It was called Disaster Report. It was a fun game.

Edited December 8, 2018 by XAlaskan_420X

[CalNieDaGtarGuy]

Back in 2011, there was a game that came out for various consoles called Cabela's Survival: Shadows of Katmai. Although it's too early to tell yet, the storylines for The Long Dark and this game are oddly familiar. A female doctor hires out a bush pilot to fly them to a remote community to cure an unknown disease, and the plane crashes in the wilderness, and the pilot and the doctor get separated. I suppose the major difference between TLD and that game is that the latter didn't have a particularly fantastic story or great gameplay. But seeing as how they are extremely familiar, at least as of now, I was wondering if you were at all involved with Shadows of Katmai, or if this is purely coincidental? 

[ProsPex]

Any plan to add the ability to craft a sling and use it as both a hunting tool (for rabbits) and a weapon (against wolves)?

Edited December 9, 2018 by DaveO

[Skelegutplays]

What current regions will never be featured in the story mode? I can guess HRV will never be in the story.

[Avosetta]

Dear Raphael!

You have your own approach to graphics with the beautiful "watercolor painting" look mentioned several times. Since I got the game there has been several wonderful additions, such as mesmerizing aurora, new beautiful waterfalls, improved looks on inventory items, a grand Moose etc. My question is, without making promises, what are you plans and wishes for the next additions to the art and beauty of the game? 

Another, completely different question:

Along the railroad from Coastal Highway via Mystery lake, ending in Broken Railroad, there are lots and lots of derailments, train cars etc and a single Locomotive in BR. Since there is only one railroad, it must surely be impossible for another train to come by once there are derailments blocking the way... So, did all these derailments happen to one single train, during a single line of events...?! What must it have been like for the poor brave people driving that train...? 

[Moll]

Will Redux bring more of usefull and handy items to increase variety in survival? New food (especially different in decay time), new items of daily use, etc?

Edited December 12, 2018 by Moll

[Survival_Games]

In one of the Dev Diaries it said that the new update will be available sometime in December. We are almost half way through December now. Any news on when it might come this month?

[TwShadowNinja]

Whats the strangest bug you guys have ever had to fix?

[Arran]

Can you tell us what locations in Mystery Lake / Milton / Broken Railroads needs to be evacuated before December patch so we dont lose any stored items inside buildings in sandbox mode?

It would be great to know which items are not safe - lying free on floor / table or stored in containers.

[JeremiahJohnson]

Can't wait to be wearing my warm bunny hat this upcoming week. I recently just watched the movie Alpha. (Definitely check it out if you haven't already) You may have been previously asked this, but what do you think of the ability of taming a wolf to be your companion? It would take a long time and process of gaining trust but would definitely be worth the risk. Not to mention not feeling nearly as lonely with your wild furry feral lil buddy! Thank you Hinterland Studios for working extra hard to get this update out to us before the holidays. Merry Christmas and stay warm.

Edited December 16, 2018 by JeremiahJohnson

[Guenter]

Is WIntermute an open story or will it have a proper ending?