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Steam News17 December 20256mo ago

Drift Island - Update #8 is here!

Drift Island - December Update #8 This update is one of the biggest steps forward for Drift Island so far.

Full notes

Full DRIFT ISLAND update

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What changed

0 fixes12 additions9 changes0 removals
  • Performance
  • Events
  • Gameplay
  • Workshop
  • Maps
  • Store
addedDrift Island - December Update #8This update is one of the biggest steps forward for Drift Island so far. It focuses on deeper car building, new roads, major world integration, and large performance optimizations across the entire game.
addedDrift Island - December Update #8In this update, we're introducing a whole new level of car building and tuning. You can now adjust your car’s parameters on the dyno, tune the engine, and shape its power curve using tuning points. These points are earned by completing challenges with any medal - every medal earned in a challenge grants 1 tuning point (maximum of 1 tuning point per challenge).
addedDrift Island - December Update #8We've added a massive amount of new roads across the island. You can now go sideways on legendary mountain passes and technical hairpins, where you'll also find many new challenges designed specifically for drifting.
addedDrift Island - December Update #8Thanks to this system and the right combination of tuning parts such as turbochargers and superchargers, you can now achieve extreme power outputs. But be careful - more power also means a higher risk of damaging your car. Pushing the settings too far can lead to failures, so tune wisely.
addedDrift Island - December Update #8We've also added a new workshop where, for a fee, you can have your car repaired instantly. This is perfect if you’re short on time and want to get back to practicing sideways action as quickly as possible.
addedDrift Island - December Update #8A car wash has also been added to the map. In addition to washing your car and correcting the paint, you can apply wax, which will protect your car's body from damage for 30 minutes. A great option for players who love shiny rides and aggressive.

DRIFT ISLAND changes

addedThis update is one of the biggest steps forward for Drift Island so far. It focuses on deeper car building, new roads, major world integration, and large performance optimizations across the entire game.
addedIn this update, we're introducing a whole new level of car building and tuning. You can now adjust your car’s parameters on the dyno, tune the engine, and shape its power curve using tuning points. These points are earned by completing challenges with any medal - every medal earned in a challenge grants 1 tuning point (maximum of 1 tuning point per challenge).
addedWe've added a massive amount of new roads across the island. You can now go sideways on legendary mountain passes and technical hairpins, where you'll also find many new challenges designed specifically for drifting.
addedThanks to this system and the right combination of tuning parts such as turbochargers and superchargers, you can now achieve extreme power outputs. But be careful - more power also means a higher risk of damaging your car. Pushing the settings too far can lead to failures, so tune wisely.
addedWe've also added a new workshop where, for a fee, you can have your car repaired instantly. This is perfect if you’re short on time and want to get back to practicing sideways action as quickly as possible.

Drift Island - December Update #8

This update is one of the biggest steps forward for Drift Island so far. It focuses on deeper car building, new roads, major world integration, and large performance optimizations across the entire game.

In this update, we're introducing a whole new level of car building and tuning. You can now adjust your car’s parameters on the dyno, tune the engine, and shape its power curve using tuning points. These points are earned by completing challenges with any medal - every medal earned in a challenge grants 1 tuning point (maximum of 1 tuning point per challenge).

If you install V2 parts on your car, you will unlock advanced tuning options for both the suspension and the gearbox, allowing you to precisely fine-tune the car to match your personal driving style and preferences.

We've added a massive amount of new roads across the island. You can now go sideways on legendary mountain passes and technical hairpins, where you'll also find many new challenges designed specifically for drifting.

Thanks to this system and the right combination of tuning parts such as turbochargers and superchargers, you can now achieve extreme power outputs. But be careful - more power also means a higher risk of damaging your car. Pushing the settings too far can lead to failures, so tune wisely.

We've also added a new workshop where, for a fee, you can have your car repaired instantly. This is perfect if you’re short on time and want to get back to practicing sideways action as quickly as possible.

A car wash has also been added to the map. In addition to washing your car and correcting the paint, you can apply wax, which will protect your car's body from damage for 30 minutes. A great option for players who love shiny rides and aggressive.

In the shop, we've added:

  • complete engines for self-installation

  • full sets of tuned suspension systems tailored to specific cars

You can now buy an entire setup at once, instead of purchasing individual parts one by one.

Keep in mind, however, that when you swap an engine, you must manually replace all related components, such as:

  • the gearbox

  • exhaust systems

  • cooling and radiator connections

These parts will not update automatically.

Dyno Tuning System

  • Measure real engine power, fine-tune setups, and see the results instantly. Install tuning parts to unlock deeper engine and suspension adjustments tailored to your driving style.

Part Damage System

  • Long drift sessions now cause wear and tear. Push your car too hard and it may enter service mode. Regular maintenance is key to avoiding failures.

Instant Repairs at External Workshops

  • A new workshop appears on the map, allowing full instant repairs for cash - perfect for drivers who want to stay on track instead of wrenching.

Removable Engines & Full Assemblies

  • Take engines out of cars, work on them on engine stands, and assemble or disassemble them outside the vehicle.

  • You can also buy complete engines and suspensions and install them directly.

Body, Paint & Detailing Improvements

  • New Car Wash features body repairs, paint fixes, and a wax layer that keeps your car clean for a limited driving time - After applying wax, the car becomes resistant to bodywork damage for a limited time.

  • Better rewards, improved balance, and a large batch of fresh challenges

  • Extensive fixes for multiple vehicles

  • Reworked UV maps, paint layers, rust and dirt textures

  • Large shader and rendering optimizations

  • Added missing LODs to dozens of models

  • Heavily optimized landscape and grass systems

  • Reduced VRAM usage through map and lighting improvements

  • Noticeably smoother performance, especially on lower-end PCs

  • Multi-language localization added

Thank you for your feedback and support!

Source

Steam News / 17 December 2025

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