In this update8
Full notes
Full Pocket Racer Shop Sim update
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What changed
- Gameplay
- UI and audio
- Performance
- Store
Pocket Racer Shop Sim changes
More Speed, More Drama
Posted by: That One Guy Loki from That One Game Studio
Hey everyone,
This month’s update is focused on something that sits right at the heart of the game. Racing.
Over the past month I’ve been putting a lot of time into improving how races feel moment to moment. The goal was simple. Make them more exciting, more readable, and a lot more fun to watch.
More Impactful Racing
Races now have a much stronger sense of energy and feedback.
New additions include:
Updated car audio to better match movement and speed
New boost sound effect and particle effect to make those bursts feel more impactful
Overall improvements to how races sound and feel moment to moment
These changes help give each race more presence instead of feeling quiet or passive in the background.
Dramatic Crash Moments
Crashes have also received a bit of… extra attention.
When a car flies off the track, you’ll now get a bold, comic-inspired CRASH effect that really sells the moment.
It’s intentionally a little over the top and leans into the playful, anime-inspired style the game has been moving toward.
Instant Replay System
To go along with those bigger crash moments, I’ve added a replay system that captures the action and shows it back mid-race.
When a crash happens:
A replay pops up in the corner of the screen
You get a close-up view of what just went wrong
The race continues while you watch the moment play out
This adds a lot more personality to races and makes those unexpected moments more memorable.
Lightweight Tutorial System
To help new players get started, I’ve added a lightweight tutorial quest system.
This is designed to guide players through the basics without getting in the way, providing a bit of structure early on while still allowing for freedom to explore.
Updated Store Page Art
With all the recent improvements to the game’s overall look and feel, it felt like the right time to give the store page a full refresh.
This includes:
Updated screenshots and GIFs that better reflect the current visual direction
A reworked trailer using the same pacing and structure, now showcasing the improved visuals and a few of the newer features
The goal here was to make sure the store page accurately represents where the game is today, both visually and in terms of overall polish.
Most Important Change (According to the Cat)
It didn’t feel right that only the player could pet the shop cat.
Now shoppers can also decide to give the cat some well deserved attention throughout the day.
When they do:
Their overall satisfaction increases
They are more likely to spend money
They contribute to a better shop rating
It’s a small addition, but it adds a bit more life to the shop and makes the cat feel like a real part of the space instead of just a background feature.
Moving Forward
This update is another step toward a more polished and complete experience as development continues toward a public demo.
There’s still more work ahead, but races are now feeling more alive, more expressive, and a lot closer to the vision I’ve had in mind.
As always, thank you for following along and for all the feedback along the way.
Feel free to drop your thoughts in the discussion section. And if you haven’t yet, wishlisting the game really helps support development.
More updates soon.
— That One Guy Loki
That One Game Studio
Source
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