Drift Stage 0.5.0.4 – May 23rd, 2026: Priority Release

Thank you for your attention. This announcement is to inform you of the public release of "Drift Stage v0.5.04". This build serves as a priority patch for the previous archived v0.04x from 2018; addressing a critical security vulnerability. This was achieved by updating Drift Stages code-base from Unity 2016 to Unity 2021 – addressing a number of issues preventing progress on re-starting development; as well as compatibility issues with newer hardware and operating systems, including controllers.

While this update is foundational in nature – and presents a number of bugs that are affecting the functionality of certain modes – the necessity to release this update called for a compromise in functionality, as the need to address the security vulnerability, and provide an overall test run of the new uploading pipeline established.

For current bug reporting and fixes, please see the forums – or file a direct report via this link:

https://forms.gle/BLsG71uSFGAKCswh9

NOTE: This is currently only a WINDOWS build. We are working towards restoring Mac and Linux support for future versions.

Change list:
New features for this build were limited to testing implementation – the main focus was updating the code to Unity 2021, and revising existing features to work correctly in this newer engine. This specific build is tailored for exposition use – as it was prepared for demonstration at INDIE Games Fest in Cologne, Germany on May 8th & 9th. For this reason, features like ‘Mobile Joypad” QR codes are displayed on certain menus; this was for ease of use on the convention floor – and will be further integrated into the game.

For now, please bear with us as we work toward more complete builds – as this version is a special case, and needs to be released as soon as possible – even with bugs and incomplete features. The Unity security vulnerability needed to be patched – and a separate OS level issue with controller inputs in general - mainly "DirectInput" being depreciated, and replaced with “XInput” – Microsoft’s primary controller interface - used on Windows 7/8/10 – which has been depreciated and replaced on 11. This required substantial attention.

New Features:

-  Unity Version Update: 2016 >> 2021.
-  Added “gameplay” menu option to disable menu particle effects.
-  Added experimental option to toggle between physics mode (Arcade / Physics)
-  Added alpha support for “Mobile Joypad” phone application (QR codes).

Bugs:
The Unity 2021 updating process caused a lot of features to require overhaul in order to function correctly. Some features are still being sorted out and are disabled in this update. Other features, like controller support - critical to the operation of the game, needed a lot of work and troubleshooting. We believe a lot of the current bugs with the games menus are related to the new controller implementation – so please be aware this is very much a in-development build.

Bug List:
- Speedometer graphics temporarily disabled due to scaling and position bugs.

-  New audio track “Touge Run” can be selected, but no audio plays;

-  Car engine audio persists on pause.

-  “Photo-mode” deactivated temporarily due to soft-lock.

-  Workshop may have steam-integration issues causing errors that don’t appear in the functioning part of the code.

-  Soft-locks may occur after changing physics type in “gameplay” menu.
-  Decal editor loads, but will encounter soft-lock in decal editing menu. Likely controller related.

-  Mobile Joypad QR codes load before the whole scene, can’t be hidden (temporary for convention use).

Next Steps: We are 5 months into the process of bringing Drift Stage 0.4.0.x over to Unity 2021 – and this build represents the first major step in releasing a new update to Drift Stage. Priorities are focused on overall bug-fixing – as well as restoring features that were broken in the previous builds; with development shifting to new features as stability is restored. Efforts will be made to create a non-Steam dependent build as well – in order to meet the games initial goals of a DRM free version. The timeline for the rest of the year is already laid out, and we will have an announcement next month, in June; regarding our next steps.

Thank you to our long time supports, the Steam community, fans – and our Kickstarter backers.