Well, hello there!
It’s been a little while since we checked in with a Stampede: Racing Royale Dev Log. At the end of last year, we spoke about how our team would need more time in the lab to cook up exciting stuff for Stampede, and deliver something big for 2024. Well, we’ve been cooking! Let’s get stuck in…
Xbox Insider Program
For the first time since last October, an early version of Stampede is available to play right now, through Xbox Insider Program! It’s available on Series X|S and Windows PC, for free, with no Game Pass subscription required. If you’re unfamiliar with Insider Program, don’t worry – here are FAQs that totally break down how to access the game and what you can expect.
Bringing Stampede to multiple platforms has always been our ambition, as we want as many folks as possible to be able to race and battle together. Xbox Insider Program gives us the chance to take that first step into multi-platform play. Much like last year’s Steam playtests, Insider Program allows our team to get familiar with developing and publishing a game on a new system, whilst also giving players a sneak peek at what’s to come, via a work-in-progress build, so we can gather your feedback and continue to make improvements.
Speaking of which, once you've taken Stampede for a spin on Insider Program, we would hugely appreciate it if you filled out our survey, to share your thoughts. Thank you!
What’s New?
If you checked out Stampede last year, a quick glance of the game on Insider Program will tell you a lot has changed! The team here have made major strides with the game, adding a huge amount of new content and experiences, as well as improving performance across the board.
Play on Insider Program for a first look over 450 customisation items to unlock (compared to around 60 last year!), and show off your look on an expanded set of maps, including the new ‘Dockyard Dash’ racetrack. The new Challenges, Season Pass, and Kart Mastery features all give you fresh ways to earn rewards, and the new Special Events feature delivers unique Stampede scenarios to take on.
That’s just scratching the surface of what’s been changed, and we’re so pleased to have been able to introduce lots of content and changes that Steam playtest players were calling for in 2023. It’s important for us to show that your feedback has – and will continue to be – listened to, as we build Stampede: Racing Royale together. Sounds cheesy, but it’s true!
What About Early Access?
Whilst we’re delighted to reach this new stage of Stampede’s journey, that doesn’t mean we’ve lost sight of what’s up ahead. We know the Insider Program plans may raise questions around Early Access, so we’re here to answer ‘em.
Xbox Insider Program does not change our plans or timeline for Stampede’s Early Access, coming in the first half of this year, and it’ll be on Steam. Our plan remains the same, and going live on a new platform provides a chance to run important tests and processes that help us nail the Early Access launch.
What you can play today on Insider Program is a first look at what we have planned for Early Access. Much of what you see on XIP will be maintained, but we’re also already gathering reports, feedback, and ideas from players, to help us make more improvements as soon as possible. We’ve already had productive chats with players in Stampede’s official Discord server on pesky bugs, future ideas, and plenty more. Come hang out!
So, jump in and tell us what you think – oh, and get yourself an exclusive reward, to be delivered once Early Access is live, just for playing on Insider Program! Consider it a token of thanks for your support so far. We couldn’t have got to this point without your help, and we’re excited for what’s to come.
See you on the track <3