Seasons

Seasons affect many things in the game, from mating cycles and stats, to the weather and plants, as well as NPC behavior.

Weather
In Spring, there is often more rain, and the overworld is temperate. When wet, or in the colder areas of the map, the player might freeze. Similarly, in the desert or under the heat of battle, the character might overheat.

Plants & Objects
Spring, much like in the real world, is known for being the season where plants bloom, flourish, and spread their seeds. Similarly, in Spring, you'll find many plants bearing fruit--Short grass will produce more seeds, the trees will produce more twigs and branches, flowers will bloom, and bushes will bear fruit and berries. Many naturally occurring objects will be more plentiful. Numerous bug swarms will spawn throughout the world, and rivers will produce more gravel and mineral deposits due to rain.

Animals
Spring has the utmost heaviest affect on every animal in the game. Every animal in the game, including those that don't often mate in Spring, will spawn at least 2 adults of each species, along with nests and their own litters or clutches in preset locations. During this time, the player can choose to spawn as an NPC's child, and will be taken care of by their parents along with the rest of their siblings--being cleaned, brought food, and protected from intruders. Siblings will periodically challenge the player and each other, building up combat skills. At the end of Spring, when the children grow up and leave their dens, the overworld is flooded with life--leaving plentiful food for carnivores.

Some animals, not including NPCs, can mate at the end of Spring. These animals include: Blue Birds, Cardinals, Mice, Rabbits, Geckos, Rattle Snakes, and King Snakes.

Towards the end of Spring and the beginning of Summer, the eldest of herd animals will pass away, leaving a massive bounty of fresh food for larger predators like wolves, bears, and coyotes, and a reliable long-lasting food source for scavengers.

Advantages
Spring is by far the best time to care for children, as the surplus of food for both carnivores and herbivores makes feeding children much easier. It's also a good time to stock up on food for animals that are mating at the end of spring.

Weather
Summer is the hottest season. There is less rain, and animals are at high risk of overheating, and thirst drains faster. One might avoid overheating by taking shelter in dens, bathing in water, or retreating to a colder area of the map up north. The air will be stagnant. The desert will be especially hot, making it uninhabitable for most animals.

Plants & Objects
Large Grass will produce more straw, providing a surplus of food for herd animals.

Animals
Due to stagnant air, birds will have more trouble flying. You may find animals spending more time in bodies of water such as the southern lake, and herds migrating north.

Advantages
Branch-dwelling birds like Cardinals and Hawks will be able to make nests in peace without risk of their work blowing out of the tree. Reptiles will be safer in cold areas due to the heat.

Weather
Fall is colder than most seasons, and much more windy.

Plants & Objects
In Fall, Trees in the northeast portion of the map will drop leaves, which can be used for nests.

Animals
Due to storm winds, branch nests are at a higher risk of being blown out, which if applicable, spills any baby birds or food in the nest out onto the ground.

Advantages
Birds will be able to fly faster in the direction of high winds.

Weather
Winter is the coldest season and staying out of shelter for an extended period of time is dangerous and will drain the player's energy. Reptiles must stay in the desert, as it's the only place where they may maintain a healthy temperature.

Plants & Objects
Winter is barren, for both carnivores and herbivores. Plants do not produce any fruit, and resources become scarcer as all the animals are fighting to survive. Only cacti and lichen will grow.

Animals
Small prey animals might scrounge up the remnants of the past year to survive. Birds and herd animals will migrate south. Many animals might starve or freeze to death, which will sometimes be the only food for hungry carnivores.

Advantages
There are not many advantages to winter. One should try to the best of their ability to wait it out, staying warm and saving their energy. This is a good season to afk and grow a younger animal.