BIG UPDATE - More GP and Challenge Maps, Track Updates, Performance Updates

Big Changes:

1. New maps for both GP and Challenge modes

   • GP Updates

     • (NEW) Cups D and E

       • All maps are finished and require testing

     • Cups A, B and C have been overhauled with the new systems implemented in Cups D and E.

   • Challenge maps

     • Each series of challenges will unlock a new boat.

     • Mines

       • 4 maps in total.

       • Map order has been updated.

       • Bronze, Silver and Gold time requirements have been added.

     • (NEW) Dodge Duck Dip Dive Dodge (DDDDD)

       • Pyramid and Spike levels have been combined here.

       • 2 Pyramid maps and 2 Spike maps.

       • 4 maps in total.

       • Bronze, Silver and Gold time requirements have been added.

     • (NEW) Bowling

       • Knock over the minimum amount of pins to unlock the finish line.

       • 4 maps in total.

       • Bronze, Silver and Gold time requirements have been added.

     • (NEW) Gather

       • Pop ALL of the beach balls to unlock the finish line.

       • Bronze, Silver and Gold time requirements have been added.

     • Jetsprint

       • Now 4 maps in total

       • All maps are finished and require some white knuckle testing

       • Bronze, Silver and Gold time requirements have been added.

     • (NEW) Maze

       • Exactly what you think, good luck getting out...

       • There are colored walls along the exact path to the finish line.

         • Green walls are where check points WERE. If you're lost, reset your boat to the last checkpoint.

         • Blue walls are similar to checkpoints but are not a respawn location. Just more visual guides.

         • Red walls indicate a dead-end.

       • For audio queues, there is fireworks at the finish line, far corners and middle of the map.

       • Bronze, Silver and Gold time requirements have been added.

2. Track Design Updates

   • All tracks have been reworked in terms of design, weather conditions and hazzard placement and landscape.

3. Directional Arrow (Beta)

   • (I love this one!) Added a directional arrow that points to the next checkpoint but also considers the track design. This was done in response to the tracks becoming more complex. It's easy to get lost in all of it!

   • Directional Arrow will not show when choosing the Hardcore, playing in Ocean Park and the maze maps

   • Known Bug: It does not know when you missed a checkpoint.

   • Still very much in the works.

4. The Grand Prix progression system has been implemented:

   • Like 99% of all other racing games ever made, as you play through the GP you will be granted Placement Points (Not to be confused with the coins).

     • If you achieve a final average of 3rd or better, you will unlock the next cup and a boat.

   • Besides the placement average, you will be granted Placement Coins as well as Bonus Coins at the end of each race.

   • GP final results have been overhauled to show more stuff.

Other Updates:

1. MORE BOATS! (soon)

   1. Gallery was overhauled in preparation of the new boats.

   2. For now, the same 6 boats are available and as you unlock the cups or complete a series of challenges, you will unlock the next boat.

   3. When I release the new boats (soonish) they will just show up! Just because the new boat isn't there yet doesn't mean you didn't earn it already!

   4. I wish I could have had them ready for this release but I've been holding onto this update for far too long.

2. All checkpoints have had their size increased.

3. There's a monster lurking in the Open Ocean levels now... don't get hit by the tentacles! Seriously, they will take you up to the clouds and/or deep under the surface...

4. There has also been some serious improvements to the menu systems. Resolved menu bugs where pressing the B button to go back would sometimes keep an existing UI up and not controllable.

5. Fixed all settings saving bugs. Also no restarts are required for some of the settings like before. Everything auto saves and loads. Please let me know if anything weird is still happening.

6. Fixed a boosting bug where holding down the boost button after the boost is empty would still show visuals as if you had boost. (the speed was already being cut correctly, just not the visuals.)

7. Fixed some sound class issues. Some sounds where not being controlled correctly.

8. Fixed issue where AI boats were not diving and rising. There is still some weirdness going on.

Visuals:

1. All boat textures have been bumped up to 4k from 2k. The detail is worth it.

2. Grass textures on the landscape itself has been enabled with medium texture settings.

3. Nearly all maps had the foliage updated. I say this because some foliage can block the boat.

4. Swamp landscape textures have been overhauled to look more swampy.

5. Reflection settings for all water types have been toned back. Too much detail was taking away from the overall style of the game.

Under The Hood:

1. Engine Update UE 5.6 to UE 5.7

2. Steam API has been updated

3. Water System has been updated.

4. Weather System has been updated.

5. Project Asset Cleanup

   1. Removed many systems I'm no longer using to get more performance and clarity with my code. I say this because of the performance boost I got out of this. Also makes content creation much easier lol

6. I'm also seeing much better performance on the SteamDeck. If it doesn't load at all, change the compatibility to Proton-Hotfix.

Side Notes:

1. Regions translations still need to be updated, so some text may not be translated.

Feel free to join us in Discord and thank you for coming along for the ride!

Matt