Version 0.7.1

Performance & Architecture

Released: March 25, 2026

Improvements

  • Massive Performance Boost: Significantly optimized the game logic and rendering pipeline for higher, more stable frame rates.
  • New Restart Hotkey: Press T to instantly restart the entire race (available in Solo mode only).

Technical Changes (Under the Hood)

  • Architectural Restructure: Completely overhauled the app.py core loop and UI organization to decouple rendering, physics, and network logic.

Version 0.7.0

Gameplay, Physics, Assets

Released: March 25, 2026

New Features

  • Global Leaderboards: Added a comprehensive leaderboard system to record and display the best track times across every map and game mode.
  • Car Specs & Assets Page: Introduced an in-game documentation page that details all available vehicles and their individual performance specifications.
  • New Track - Acres Fields: Added a brand-new, hand-crafted map for players to master.
  • Classic Race Mode: Introduced a traditional racing game mode to complement the core drifting mechanics.
  • Gamepad Support: Implemented full controller support for improved handling and accessibility.
  • Car Customization System: Added a dynamic color palette system allowing players to tune and personalize their vehicle's paint job.

Improvements

  • Overhauled Car Selection UI: Redesigned the vehicle selection screen for a cleaner display.
  • Quick Reset Hotkey: Press R to instantly reset your car to the last passed checkpoint.
  • Asset Auto-Detection: The game engine now automatically detects and loads car assets from directories, streamlining the addition of new vehicles.
  • Clean Exit Integration: Added a dedicated "Quit" button in the settings menu to ensure the game closes safely and properly.

Bug Fixes

  • Steering & Physics: Fixed an underlying issue with car angle management to ensure accurate turning and drifting calculations.
  • Visual Glitches: Resolved a visual bug where tire marks would incorrectly spawn while the car was driving in reverse.
  • Crash Resolution: Patched a critical crash that occurred when the engine attempted to access an undefined (None) FPS value.

Technical Changes (Under the Hood)

  • Compiled C Executable: Transitioned the game's build process to Nuitka. The game now runs as a natively compiled C executable, bypassing Python interpreter bottlenecks.
  • Modding Support (Blender): Released a standardized Blender template to help the community easily model, format, and add custom car folders to the game.

Version 0.6

Performance & UI

Released: November 2, 2025

The latest update brings major improvements to performance and the user interface. The game now uses an automatic track chunk system and optimized rendering cache. The host/join multiplayer interface has been completely redesigned, there's a new loading screen, and key bindings can be managed directly in-game. Physics calculations have been optimized, and car specifications are now handled through a simple specs.json file.

New Features

  • Automatic track chunk slicing and storage at first run for improved loading times
  • Text rendering cache implemented for settings, header, and footer components
  • Comprehensive host/join game UI overhaul with enhanced user experience
  • New loading screen with progress indicators
  • Key bindings management system added to settings
  • Improved button styling for a more polished appearance
  • Updated information navbar with better organization

Improvements

  • Optimized physics calculations to reduce unnecessary computations
  • Removed expensive assets from final game package
  • Car specifications now managed through specs.json for easier configuration

Bug Fixes

  • Fixed error when attempting to join non-existent rooms
  • Game creation can now be cancelled with Esc key

Technical Changes

  • Button class refactored to use stage path architecture
  • Compiler and installer now support flexible file types and paths

Version 0.5

Assets & UI

Released: October 19, 2025

New Features

  • Enhanced tire grip model for improved drift control
  • High-resolution AE86 visual assets including sprites and shadows
  • Dynamic turbo system with improved audio feedback
  • Debug mode accessible via F3 key for performance monitoring
  • Comprehensive host/join game interface

Improvements

  • Complete UI code restructure for better maintainability
  • Improved path handling for cross-platform portability

Technical Changes

  • Full UI code rework with modular architecture

Version 0.4

Chunk System, Physics & M5

Released: October 12, 2025

New Features

  • Revolutionary chunk map system for large-scale track rendering
  • M5 car model with unique handling characteristics
  • AI neural network model for intelligent opponent behavior
  • Threaded audio system with turbo sound effects
  • Input smoothing for more responsive controls
  • Car selection system: press 'C' to cycle between vehicles
  • Random AI car selection for variety

Improvements

  • Enhanced camera logic for better visual tracking
  • Optimized scaling method for chunk rendering mode
  • Refined car physics for more realistic driving dynamics
  • Unique characteristics assigned to each car model

Technical Changes

  • slice_map.py utility for automatic track map tiling
  • Added Pillow and NumPy dependencies for image processing
  • Car class system redesign for better extensibility
  • Complete project structure reorganization

Version 0.3

Audio & Assets

Released: September 30, 2025

New Features

  • Advanced sound system based on RPM dynamics
  • Engine RPM gauges displayed in UI
  • 64-rotation car assets (diffuse, shadow, headlights) for smooth animation
  • Enhanced settings UI with improved navigation

Improvements

  • Collision system enhancements for better accuracy
  • AI speed handling improvements for more competitive racing

Bug Fixes

  • Fixed issue where AI cars persisted after error screens

Technical Changes

  • Settings script completely refactored
  • Main codebase split into multiple organized modules
  • AI debug visualization (red lines) for development

Version 0.2

AI

Released: September 29, 2025

New Features

  • Advanced AI and pathfinding algorithm implementation
  • AI car spawning: press 'N' to add AI opponents
  • AI mode in settings allowing player car to autodrive
  • AI functionality integrated into multiplayer mode
  • Offline mode for single-player practice
  • Cursor follow camera mode for dynamic viewing angles
  • Enhanced menu buttons with improved visual feedback

Improvements

  • Drift system update for more realistic behavior
  • Settings menu enhancements with better organization

Technical Changes

  • Migration from pygame to pygame-ce for better performance
  • Main.py modularized into multiple focused files
  • AI debug UI with red line visualization

Version 0.1

Performance, Physics, UI & Assets

Released: September 27, 2025

New Features

  • Improved server architecture for multiplayer
  • Higher server tick rate for reduced latency and better performance
  • Camera zoom/dezoom functionality
  • Controller support for gamepad input
  • UI system overhaul with modern interface
  • Settings page accessible from menu and in-game (Esc key)
  • Fading tire marks that persist and gradually disappear
  • AE86 with 32-rotation assets (diffuse, shadow, headlights)
  • New track map with improved layout

Improvements

  • Enhanced physics engine for more realistic vehicle behavior
  • Collision handling improvements for better accuracy
  • Refined drift detection system

Known Issues

  • Collision system temporarily disabled due to stability issues

Technical Changes

  • Camera class implementation for advanced view control
  • Button class created for reusable UI components
  • Main file reorganized for better code structure

Version 0.0

Physics Initialization

Released: September 25, 2025

Initial Release

  • Foundation physics engine implementation
  • Basic drift system mechanics
  • Collision system framework
  • Initial drift detection algorithm
  • Pygame initialization and core game loop