Dancing on the Edge of Grip
Building off of Physics 2.0, this update brings a new grip model that rewards players who drive on the limit! Grip will now increase as you push the tires. This models how pushing a tire causes it to deform and increase its contact patch with the road.
Your tires and the new Grip Meter will turn purple when the tires are at peak grip. Every corner becomes a dynamic balancing act of your speed and pedal inputs to keep your tires in the optimal window.
The car's throttle map, engine SFX, and tire squeal SFX have also been tweaked to make the cars feel more aggressive and responsive.
These changes were made in collaboration with the community, I couldn't be happier with how it turned out.
Career Mode Updates
Influence
The vision I've always had for Throttle Trace is for the player to be able to enact their will on the paddock. The new Influence system is a big step towards that vision. Each week, you'll accrue influence points (the amount is based on your Performance Rank). You can use these points to:
- Challenge an equal or higher rated driver to a duel (this is my fav so far)
- Spread a rumor about another driver to the media
- Promise a team principal a strong result in the next race (a good way to get their attention for a seat)
- Get detailed info on how negotiations for a particular seat are shaping up (so you know who's ahead of you in the pecking order, and thus who to challenge to duels or target with rumors)
- Congratulate a driver on a recent result
Spend Influence Points to challenge your rivals to "Duels" to steal their performance rank
Or spread juicy rumors about them to the press
This system is very useful to help gain footing as a newcomer to Vroomula 1. It can be the lifeline you need to keep your seat, or the edge you need to fast-track a seat with a top team. It will be expanded with more late-career content as well, when your focus turns away from just surviving and towards leaving an indelible mark on the universe within your save.
New Screens
A new Race Summary screen provides a comprehensive overview on how your performance was perceived, as well as how the team's performance impacts their progress on upgrades. This goes a long way to demystify systems that were previously hidden in the background.
The new Driver Market screen displays driver movement, both for the current and previous years of your save.
Throttle Trace x New Star GP Bundle!
https://store.steampowered.com/bundle/90664/Throttle_Trace_x_New_Star_GP/
Throttle Trace is now available in a bundle with New Star GP! This one means a lot to me. I have been playing the New Star games since the 00s, they are by far the biggest influence on me as a game dev. If you haven't picked up New Star GP, I can't recommend it enough. It's one of my all time favorites!
