ABOVE THE SNOW: PRE-RELEASE UPDATE

When we took part in Steam Next Fest in February, we didn’t expect this level of interest. The event turned out to be a major test for both the game and our team. Over 5,000 players tried the Above The Snow demo. We received hundreds of completed surveys from you, the result of countless hours spent in the game.

We expected you to spend around 30–40 minutes on playtests on average, but the data showed that some of you dedicated over 8 hours to the game. It’s hard to describe how surprised and thrilled we are that the first title we’ve worked on attracted so much attention.

What we improved / changed

1. Building Mode Menu This is one of the biggest and most important changes on the list. We focused both on UX and visual clarity. In the new version, objects are easier to see and more intuitive to place. The last thing we want is players struggling with furnishing their shelter. Additional bug fixes should ensure that Building Mode now works as intended right from the start.

   [carousel][/carousel]

2. Kitchen Menu

   The version shown during SNF required uncomfortable scrolling and, similarly to Building Mode, wasn’t very intuitive. We decided to fully redesign this menu. Now all the key information is visible at a glance in a much clearer layout.

3. Basement and Upper Floor

   We’ve expanded the available space by adding a completely new upper floor. This is something we had been considering for a long time due to game balance. After seeing your amazing creations, we also expanded our plans to include a basement. We hope this gives all furnishing enthusiasts even more room to get creative.

4. General Settings / Key Bindings

   At your request, we added the ability to customize key bindings, along with expanded general game settings.

5. Various Improvements

   Among the smaller changes we implemented based on your feedback are a visual redesign of the clock and calendar, upscalers (DLSS 4.5, FSR3, and FSR4), tooltips where they were most needed, as well as additional animations, sounds, and models. The full list is much longer, and you’ll be able to experience all of it in the game very soon. Launch is happening this week, and we’re really excited. We hope you’ll enjoy the final result.

What’s next? Shortly after release, we’ll be adding a “sketch mode” for the trail map, making route planning easier. We’re planning to support the game in the coming months with a range of fixes, improvements, and a few surprises. We hope to share more details with you soon.

Even after launch, we’ll continue gathering your feedback, suggestions, and bug reports, and keep improving Above the Snow for you. Once again, thank you for all your amazing feedback. See you on the trail!