Developer Update #3

UI / UX Overhaul Update – Finding the Look

Posted by: That One Guy Loki from That One Game Studio

Hey everyone! Loki here again 👋

I wanted to share a progress update on something I’ve been spending a lot of time on lately, the game’s UI, visual style, and overall presentation.

At this point the core gameplay loop is feeling solid and private playtests have been validating that the game is genuinely fun. Because of that, the focus has shifted hard toward polish and creative cohesiveness. This is the kind of work that is absolutely necessary as I move toward getting a demo polished and prepped.

Leaning Into a Flashier, Anime-Inspired Style

One of the biggest changes happening behind the scenes is a shift toward a more anime-inspired UI and presentation.

This means:

• bolder shapes and panels

• more expressive motion and transitions

• clearer visual hierarchy

The goal isn’t realism. It’s personality. I want the game to feel playful, tactile, and fun to interact with, whether you’re opening packs, tuning parts, or just hanging out in your shop.

The Workbench Gets a Big Upgrade

The workbench is the heart of Pocket Racer Shop Sim, so it’s been one of the first areas to get the full UI/UX treatment.

As you switch between part types, the camera now animates and reframes the car, helping reinforce what you’re working on and where your attention should be. It’s a small thing, but it goes a long way toward making tinkering feel more intentional and satisfying.

Here’s a look at the new workbench flow in action:

The goal is to make customization feel:

• smoother

• more readable

• more tactile

• and more fun moment to moment

Subtle Cel Shading for a Unified Look

Alongside the UI work, I’ve also started sneaking in some cel shading to better match the anime-inspired direction.

It’s intentionally subtle, just enough to:

• give characters and objects a bit more pop

• unify the look between the world and the UI

• lean into that illustrated, stylized feel

Combined with the UI changes, everything is starting to feel like part of one cohesive visual language instead of a collection of separate systems.

Polish Now, Demo Later

The big theme of this update is alignment.

Rather than adding more features for the sake of it, the focus right now is:

• tightening what’s already there

• improving clarity and flow

• committing to a single creative direction

• and laying the groundwork for a polished, confident demo

There’s still plenty more UI work ahead, but the foundation is finally starting to feel right, and that’s a huge step forward.

Happy Holidays (and a Short Break)

With the holidays coming up, I also wanted to wish everyone a happy holiday season. I’ll be taking a bit of a break to spend some much-needed time with my family, so the next update will likely land early next year.

Development isn’t stopping. It’s just slowing down briefly so I can recharge and come back fresh.

Thanks for Following Along

As always, thank you so much for following the project and checking in on these updates. This kind of polish work might not always look flashy from the outside, but it makes a massive difference in how the game feels to play.

I’d love to hear your thoughts in the discussion section and if you haven’t yet, wishlisting the game really helps support development

More updates coming soon. See you in the new year!

— That One Guy Loki

That One Game Studio