Fans of open-source racing game SuperTuxKart will be stoked to hear devs are busy in the pit lanes pepping the next major update — and it’ll launch this summer.
SuperTuxKart 1.4 was released back in 2022 with a ton of improvements. Successive updates in that series have fine-tuned, fixed-up, and finessed performance and stability, but not put any new features in the tank (so to speak).
But things shift up a gear in SuperTuxKart 1.5.
New options in the next release
This summer, SuperTuxKart 1.5 launches with a fantastic bucket of enhancements and upgrades for both desktop and Android builds (yes, it’s available on Android and even supports playing online against Linux users):
- Option to set maximum FPS within game settings
- New benchmark mode
- Detailed game audio level controls
- New LoD (Level of Detail) settings to minimize “popping”
Currently, the game only allows a maximum of 120fps for desktop builds and just 30fps on Android, which makes the new FPS adjustment feature a welcomed improvement. Devs announce that the game’s physics operate independently at a 120FPS frame rate.
The updated default level of detail settings provide a noticeable improvement in quality, although it requires more system resources. However, since most systems already run this game without issue, the tradeoff is worthwhile.
Still, like any good race driver, SuperTuxKart devs aren’t just focused on the release directly in front, but the ones further ahead…
SuperTuxKart 2.0 Revving Up
2.0 will deliver more gameplay changes and track updates than any release to date
The next significant milestone is SuperTuxKart 2.0. The development process is already in motion and will top the priority list as soon as the 1.5 version is released.
The 2.0 version of SuperTuxKart promises to deliver a substantially bigger number of “key gameplay transformations and noteworthy track updates than any single STK release in the past decade and a half”.
Moreover, the developers hint at the likelihood of “substantial amendments and enhancement to different gameplay elements”, which will involve at least the following:
- 5 additional tracks (+ updates to all existing tracks)
- 3 innovative power-ups
- Introduction of a new kart class
- Upgraded in-game AI for racing against
- A brand-new Story Mode
- Revamped GUI
- Fresh Music
- Better add-ons system
SuperTuxKart 2.0 promises to bring significantly improved track visuals and a more enjoyable, engaging gameplay, alongside superior performance of its game engine, with ongoing work on a Vulkan renderer.
Feeling excited?
Some of the updates planned for 2.0 are already available for testing in an ‘experimental’ branch, in case you are interested in previewing the changes. Please note, being experimental, a seamless experience is not guaranteed.
Why not lend a hand?
And if you’re able to pitch in and help get the next release over the finish line, all the better.
SuperTuxKart is free, open-source software developed by a small team of unpaid contributors. The more hands on chassis, the faster progress can happen.
Not a code mechanic? Not a problem; creatives are needed to improve music, textures, icons, 3D modelling, etc; and administrative human-input is needed to write documentation, report bugs, work on the website, and so on.