Once Human is gearing up to release the gigantic update 1.3, also known as The Way of Winter. It introduces a new region, complete with survival systems, more story, and a new Wonder. That’s just the highlights too, as there is so much on the way.
It comes at a busy time for the game, with a huge list of patch notes dropping mere days ago to correct issues with Prismverse’s Clash.
But let’s take a look at everything that’s new in The Way of Winter.

World Region – Arkam
Update 1.3 introduces a whole new region to explore known as Arkam. No, not the one from Batman. This one provides three different maps: Onyx Tundra, Vena Fjord, and Ember Strand.
These areas are very different aesthetically. Onyx Tundra features a frozen ocean, a snow-capped mountain, and even a cute town that specialises in desserts. You can also visit a theme park.
Vena Fjord makes Onyx Tundra’s mountain look like a small hill. Here you can climb the tallest peak in Once Human, ziplining from point to point, and even explore one of the few areas of Arkam that has greenery.
Lastly, there’s Ember Strand, which, as the name suggests, features a volcano. It goes by the apt title of Mount Firethroat, and it’s basically turned the area into a scorched wasteland. Expect extreme heat and lava.
Temperature System – Extreme Heat and Cold
Given the extreme nature of the temperatures you will experience in Once Human, you can expect new survival systems. This actually features both ends of the spectrums, with extreme cold due to the winter environment, and heat due to that volcano.
These systems primarily affect your energy and HP levels. At their most extreme levels, you lose 5% HP every second. This stacks every three seconds until you hit four stacks, at which point you die instantly. It’s called Frozen for cold and Combustion for heat.
To counter this, you need to craft gear that can resist these extreme temperatures. Luckily, animals now produce a variety of different hides, which allows you to craft clothing that will protect you.
Not only that, but you can also hold weapons like a Torch or even throw a Molotov Cocktail to create an area of warmth when you’re in trouble. Certain foods can also help you counter the temperature.
You can even build something to create safe spots while exploring. Pop down a bonfire or burning oil drum to warm you up, or place warmth-producing items, like a stove, within your house.

Thermal Tower Wonder
If you want to skip all of that nonsense, you can work with other players to put together a system of new Wonders, the Thermal Tower. This affects the temperature over a large range, which can help you explore in safety.
You will have to work with others to make a whole region safe though. Each player can only place one Thermal Tower, and they can’t overlap with another. So you all have to think carefully about Thermal Tower placement to maximise the areas of safety.
If you upgrade the Thermal Tower’s tech (Reactor, Thermostatic Cover, Defense Structures, and Radiator) you can boost its performance to provide various bonuses. You can also store resources, as it also functions as a Depot.
You can also harvest Chaosium Waste by purifying it to get some extra resources. Enemies will attack while you gather it though, so make sure to pull together some friends.
The Thermal Tower is particularly useful in helping to counter the dynamic weather system, which can make the temperature even colder. Often, this is caused by a Chaosweaver Event, which sees a gigantic, living machine wake up, affecting the surrounding area.
Rift Spaces, Securement Silos, and New Challenges
Who wants new challenges? Well, there are plenty on offer here. Secret Servitor, a new Rift Space, challenges you to battle while day and night constantly swaps, while Treant sees you battle an imposing enemy while the temperature constantly changes.
There are four new Securement Silos too. Delta, Taurus, EX, and PSI. Wrapping up, we have a new Stardust Challenge: Zone of Haze. Explore the ruins to see how the world used to be and grab some extra rewards.

Deviations
Let’s round up this with a list of new Deviations:
Deviation | Effect |
Tar Pudding | Increase fuel refining speed when assigned to a Refining Facility |
ZapCam | Locks onto an enemy and deals damage while in OTS or scoped mode |
Hydronaut Fish | Gathers seawater and fish, and increases production speed when you assign it to a Water Filter or Brewing Barrel |
Invincible Sun | Deals Blaze damage to a target |
Snowsprite | Generate Ice Crystals near a target, which shatter when shot, dealing Frost damage |
Ice Pot | Generate ice blocks |
Gazocchio | Protects your territory, attacking enemies and paralysing them |
You can read more about the new update on Steam.