Alpha Progress
For Alpha, I'm overhauling a lot of backend systems. The focus is Technical! All the big systems in the game should be done / mostly done by the end.
"Boring Stuff?"
This "Boring Stuff" will allow us to make more content faster and better than ever before!
Done:
✔ Dialogue System Overhaul
✔ Car Controller Overhaul
✔ Engine Sound System
✔ Full Story Outline
✔ Car Concept Art
✔ Character Concept Art
Ongoing:
~ Road & Terrain System
The old system was the biggest bottleneck in making the previous Demo, so I'm building a whole new one! This is the biggest technical effort & risk of this project 😬
Early Technical Test (Fall 2025)
Actually using the new system (June 2026)
Deep In-Progress:
~ Alpha Character Sprites (the in-game art)
~ New Racetracks & Story Levels
~ Computer Player Overhaul.
No Machine Learning in this system, just hand-tuned AI scripting. Detect surroundings, make decisions, and then adjust vehicle using the same inputs that players use. No cheating!
Extra Goodies:
✔ More Playable Cars
✔ Improved Visuals & Optimization
✔ More Weapons/Abilities
Character Art Style Reveal!
The new character art is more proportional to match the cars, and it's a more Western style to match the setting (USA), time period (1995), and it stands out from all the (amazing) anime-style characters in games these days.
It's a huge change, I really hope you like them!
Left to right: "The Agent" Grace Castillo, "Scum Lord" Allison Cunningham, Officer Mack, Chief of Police Huccaby, and Glen the Mechanic.
These are not final, but these concepts will be used as the basis for the final character art.
Oak City Indie Games
Last Fall, I took some weeks off from Development... in order to help coordinate a local indie game festival!
The full DRIFT BOOTH BOOTH was set up. I half-jokingly told people "You cannot play today, the game is too popular!"
Even though there is no money coming in, it's always great to see people enjoying the game.
Oak City Indie Games was a tremendous success. Vibes and comradery were through the roof. Attendance blew past our expectations! 50 Indie Games, 500+ People in and out thru the day -- More than double from last year 🤯
Thanks for all your support!
Timm
PS: If you know anyone else who would be interested in this game, please ask them to sign up for e-mail newsletters here, or join the Discord here.
PPS: The old demo is still available for free on Discord.