Kite Flying

Overview

Kite Flying is a leisure activity in Outbound, added as the Cozy Kites Kickstarter stretch goal (the third stretch goal unlocked during the campaign). Players can craft a variety of kites and fly them in open areas across the game's biomes. The activity has no direct gameplay benefit beyond relaxation and atmosphere, fitting the game's cozy identity.

How It Works

To fly a kite, the player crafts one at a workstation using resources gathered from the world. Once crafted, the kite can be deployed in any open area with sufficient wind. The game's wind system directly affects kite behavior: stronger winds lift the kite higher and make it more responsive, while calm conditions make it harder to keep aloft.

Weather conditions also influence the experience. Overcast or breezy days are ideal for kite flying, while rain or storms may make it impractical. The kite reacts dynamically to wind direction and strength, creating a relaxing physics-based interaction rather than a scored challenge.

Kite Varieties

The Kickstarter campaign promised "a variety of kites." Different kite designs are available, each with a distinct visual style. Some kite designs may be unlocked through Signal Tower blueprints, while others can be found at landmarks or crafted from specific resources in different biomes.

Multiplayer

In co-op sessions, multiple players can fly kites simultaneously. There is no competition element; it is a shared leisure experience. Kite flying during sunset or at scenic locations provides a change of pace between building and crafting sessions.

Kickstarter Context

The Cozy Kites stretch goal was achieved when the campaign surpassed 350% of its funding target. It was announced as a "surprise goal" during the campaign. Square Glade Games described it as an activity that lets players "let a variety of kites fly high in the sky above." The goal was part of a broader set of ten stretch goals, all of which were unlocked during the campaign's 30-day run.