Dev Blog - Improvements Continue in Season 4
As explained in the previous Dev Blog regarding our future plans, we are taking the time to make changes based on what the dev team has prepared, starting with Season 4. However, we're not simply applying improvements, we're also adding new content to keep things fresh and create a better, more fun experience.
With Season 4, we'll be including a number of improvements alongside new content. We'll be going over both in this Dev Blog, starting with the new additions coming in Season 4!
New in Season 4
- New Graveyard Track Theme, including items and characters to match
- New Tire Mark item
- New Crossover Game Mode
- New items in Item Mode with balance adjustments
Season 4 will feature the new Graveyard Track Theme, and also introduces a variety of spooky items, including the new characters Draky and Spirit Kid. A total of 5 new tracks will be released, including 4 Graveyard tracks that tell a story about the Graveyard theme.
On top of the new characters and tracks, we're adding new Tire Mark items, which can be used to change the marks made on the track when you're drifting. We hope this will make for a more unique look to races, as the specific drift lines of individual Racers mark up the track.
The new Crossover Mode will provide an updated form of racing that merges the fun of both Item and Speed Mode.The intense speed and tight drifting of Speed Mode will mix with the aggressive offensive weapons and defensive shields of Item Mode to create a new and unique experience to enjoy.
Building on the improvements to Item Mode in Season 2, new additions to Item Boxes will be added in Season 4 alongside balance adjustments to Item Mode. A total of 3 new items will be added to the cube: Big Banana, Scanner, and Siren. These new items will only appear during Item Mode races on 3-Star difficulty or higher tracks. This will come with a balance adjustment to put a greater emphasis on attacking other Racers during the match.
These new items have been restricted to higher-level tracks to prevent the increased offense and additional items from overwhelming beginning Racers who are still getting accustomed to Item Mode. Our intent will be that new items will be added to Item Mode at varying difficulty levels, to reduce the impact on Racers just starting out, and additions will be monitored based on collected data and your feedback.
Major Season 4 Improvements
- New Racer Experience Improvements
- Matchmaking Improvements
- License Mode Improvements
- In-Game HUD Improvements
- Racing Pass Improvements
- Other Improvements
We're making changes to minimize the inconveniences that have been reported by many Racers, and to provide a more comfortable environment for playing the game. The following improvements (and more!) will be added starting with Season 4.
First, we're going to revamp the flow for new Racers, focusing on improving those areas where they were having particular trouble. Our goal is for new Racers to get used to KartRider: Drift more easily, particularly during the first login period.
Next, we're improving the matchmaking system by more thoroughly checking the network environment during matchmaking to create a smoother, more polished match. Racers whose network connection is unable to support a good match will also be guided to play against the AI, to help create a better racing environment for all Racers.
When racing with AI, the AI's difficulty will also change based on the skill of the Racer, helping create a more dynamic, balanced match (Grand Prix not included). With the "AI" matchmaking setting active, AI racers will be selected as teammates and opponents, allowing you to start the race immediately. When the “Racers + AI” matchmaking setting is selected, AI racers may now be added to race alongside human players, and the number of AI racers added will flexibly adjust based on the current status of the matchmaking queue.
These changes will be monitored and revised as needed, to create a more polished, faster matchmaking experience and get you into competitive, fun matches as quickly and smoothly as possible.
In Season 4, we're also doing away with the final License requirements for higher-difficulty tracks, allowing all Racers to play on every track in the game from the start. Additionally, we're lowering the License requirement for entry into the Grand Prix.
Improvements to UX/UI are also starting in Season 4! The first of these changes will come to the in-game Head's Up Display (HUD), including a wider viewing angle and improving how information is arranged to put a greater emphasis on critical information for players to keep tabs on while racing, all without changing the actual gameplay itself.
Finally, we'll be improving the convenience of using the Racing Pass by better informing you when Racing Pass rewards are available.
These changes are only the big ones planned for Season 4, as we also have improvements to Grand Prix, the addition of preset slots, and more as we work to give KartRider: Drift the shine it needs. These changes will continue in future seasons, as we reflect on our shortcomings and work to improve based on your feedback.
Stay tuned for more Season 4 information as the update approaches– we're getting ready with Pit Stop videos and more patch announcements. Until then, see you on the track!
Thank you,
-JL and the KartRider: Drift Team-
