WolfQuest
| WolfQuest | |
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| Developer(s) | Minnesota Zoo, Eduweb |
| Publisher(s) | Eduweb |
| Engine | Unity |
| Version | 1.6.4 |
| Platform(s) | Windows, Mac |
| Release date(s) | December 21, 2007 |
| Genre(s) | 3D Life simulation game |
| Mode(s) | Single-player, Multiplayer |
| Media/distribution | Download |
WolfQuest is a 3D wildlife simulation video game by the Minnesota Zoo and game developer company Eduweb. The demo was released on October 31, 2007. On December 21, 2007 it was released as a free downloadable game for Macintosh and Windows computers. The official deluxe version was released on April 23, 2008.[1] There is a second episode of the game called Slough Creek, which was released on January 1, 2010.[2] Wolfquest 2.5, also known as "Survival of the Pack: Deluxe" was released on 5 October 2011. The game's main purpose is to help players understand wolves and the roles they play in nature by being virtually incarnated as a wolf themselves.
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[edit] NSF Grant
On September 2006, The National Science Foundation awarded the Minnesota Zoo and Eduweb a USD $508,253 informal education grant to develop WolfQuest. This makes it the first video game funded by the National Science Foundation, under grant number 0610427.[3][4]
[edit] Gameplay
Gameplay is divided into single player and multiplayer. In single player, the player must survive as a dispersal gray wolf in Yellowstone National Park. To do so they must hunt elk and hares, or feed off elk carcasses. They must also avoid dangers such as grizzly bears, coyotes, bull elk, and non-dispersal wolves. However, it is possible to fight off the bears by chasing them. They have the option to find a mate, which, when successful, will follow and aid the player throughout the rest of the game. In order to find a mate, the player must visit all the territories seen on the map and then one may search for a mate, mates can be found in any territory.
When creating their wolf character, players are free to choose the gender, fur coloration, stats, and name of their wolf. There are five different pelts to choose from (black, sable, timber, white and gray), with two sliders that let players change the tints of the guard hairs and undercoat of the wolf. Just like real wolves, males are larger in size than females.[5] The maximum strength for males is also higher than that of females.
In multiplayer, the objectives are the same with two exceptions. The player co-operates with a maximum of 5 wolves including themselves and they can have no mate. (Regardless, many players still say that other players are their mates. Wolfquest does not support this kind of behavior.) Also in multiplayer players can instant chat but the chat box blocks all words except common English words. Things like numbers and swear words are not allowed. Adult content is also blocked and not allowed. Players in multiplayer can start rallies and hunt bull Elk. Bull Elk have more meat than female Elk and are many times harder to kill. Players may bite Elk in the neck or back legs while hunting. Many players also choose out "den sites" on the Amethyst Mountain map; these consist of clumps of trees, hills, ditches, or rocks usually. Players roleplay and take up roles as lone wolves or pack wolves and pretend to have packs or territories in multiplayer.
[edit] Other in-game animals
- Prey Animals: Elk, Hare, Cattle
- Rival animals: Grizzly Bear, Coyote, Golden Eagle
- Miscellaneous animals: Common Raven, Human, Dog (Note: Latter two are never seen by the player but their presence in the game is indicated by various sound effects)
[edit] WolfQuest Episode 2 Slough Creek
The sequel of WolfQuest: Amethyst Mountain, WolfQuest: Slough Creek was released on January 1, 2010 at 11:30 CMT as part of "Survival of the Pack". In this new addition, players and their mates search for a den to raise pups. However, after finding a densite, the player must scent mark the area around the den to have a safe densite. After completion, the player will obtain pups. Ravenous bears roam the earth, posing a new threat to young pups, (and along with obnoxious coyotes); however, several ravens will circle around a carcass (ravens are not a threat to your pups, though), giving players a slight advantage for finding food. At the end, you, your mate, and your surviving pups must make a journey for the summer den in the Douglas Fir Forests. But the player, the player's mate, and pups will run into grizzlies, coyotes, eagles and drowning. The only way pups can get across the river, is by finding a shallow sandbar. Also, wolf territories will expand, so the player cannot take an easy way out. In the game, players have the opportunity (though not a mandatory option) to raid a cattle ranch for extra food in the Night Mission. The player sneaks around in the dark at a cow ranch, and searches for the calf to kill and feed to his/her pups. However, doing so is extremely dangerous and can result in being shot. The player has approx. a minute to find the calf and kill it and eat it.
Also, a warning that the player is close to being shot, is hearing dogs barking.
Amethyst Mountain and Slough Creek are included in the Slough Creek download, so installing or uninstalling Amethyst Mountain is unnecessary.
In August 2010, WolfQuest held an "idea contest" via the WolfQuest Community Forum, that of which can be found here. The winner for the "Big Idea" section of the contest was "Exiah", with her idea "Time and Weather", which affects hunting with weather and time. The winner for the "Game Enhancement" section was "Cama" with his idea "I need a rest!", where players can make their wolves sit or lay down to regain stamina.
"Survival of the Pack: Deluxe" was released on 5 October 2011 with several new features added to it. As well as "I need a rest", weather and time was also added. Players can press R to sit, and pressing it again will cause their wolf to lie down. Another press of the R button will cause a dialogue box to appear, asking the player which time of day they would like to sleep until (Dawn, Day, Dusk and Night). Alternatively, pressing Z will cause you to sleep immediately. Weather includes snow, rain, lightning and fire, and affects scents seen in scent-view.
Shortly after the "Survival of the Pack: Deluxe" release, the version, 2.5.1 came out. It came out on October 11, 2011, and is a minor bugfix update to WolfQuest 2.5 (which added weather effects, changing times of day, a new phrase chat, improved lexicon chat safeguards, and more). This version fixes bugs with female wolf choice in single-player, seeing other wolves sit and lay down in multiplayer, and a few other minor bugs. It includes both episodes: Amethyst Mountain and Slough Creek.
[edit] Awards
WolfQuest won a few awards at Unite 2008, a developer's conference. WolfQuest received Special Recognition Awards in two different categories, Best Serious Game and Best Multiplayer.[6] WolfQuest has now also won another award, the Education Award through AZA (Association of Zoos and Aquariums)
"The Association of Zoos and Aquariums recognizes outstanding achievement in educational program design judging programs on their ability to promote conservation knowledge, attitudes and behavior, show innovation, and measure success."
[edit] Criticism
WolfQuest was cited by Senator Tom Coburn in his Wastebook 2010 report about government spending:
• The National Science Foundation (NSF) awarded over $600,000 to the Minnesota Zoo to create a wolf “avatar” video game called “WolfQuest.”[7]
[edit] See also
- Wolf, a similar DOS game
[edit] References
- ^ WolfQuest release notes
- ^ Survival of the Pack release notes
- ^ Minnesota Zoo Announces World Premiere of WolfQuest Interactive Game
- ^ 'WolfQuest': An Educational Game About Survival
- ^ WolfQuest game manual
- ^ Unite 2008: Highlights and Award Winners
- ^ "Dr. Coburn Releases New Oversight Report:"Wastebook 2010: A Guide to Some of the Most Wasteful Government Spending of 2010"". http://coburn.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=054487a3-ff6e-4df9-a025-48de764abe55. Retrieved 2010-12-27.
