Post Apocalypse Courier Service - Delivery Simulator News

[h3]Reminder: Last Call for Playtest Invites![/h3][p]Would-be couriers! This is your last call to join our closed playtest! Sign up at pacsgame.com[/p][p]We’re happy to be proceeding on a series of small technical tests with a core group of fans in preparation for the closed playtest! If you’ve been selected to be a part of this group (aptly dubbed the Courageous Couriers) thank you for helping shape PACS into the best game it can be![/p][h2]
Vehicle Physics[/h2][p]PACS is a game about transporting and delivering goods across the post-apocalyptic wasteland. In this harsh world, your vehicles are your safe place. Your rock to rely on. They’ve been important for us to get right from day one. While the game visually has a touch more stylization than original trailers suggested, our plans for a grounded, realistic driving experience are unchanged. [/p][p][/p][h3]Where rubber meets road… or rock… or mud.[/h3][p]The way that wheels interact with terrain and surface types is a key part of the driving experience. Feeling the traction of tarmac versus the slip of muddy conditions, the contact between tyre and rock as you traverse our rugged landscape. We’re focusing on making these feel as satisfying as possible, balancing driving realism with intended gameplay experiences whilst navigating the world.

Our wheels are set up to give us more detailed, granular contact between them and the terrain. This makes it possible to crawl over rocks more realistically, letting your tyres find contact and traction anywhere around the tyre so you can get up those sharp steps. [/p][previewyoutube][/previewyoutube][p][/p][h3]Tyre Telemetry [/h3][p]Horizontal slip, rolling resistance, rubber friction values, and more are all elements integrated into the physics of the tyres. We use curves to adjust these various values in realtime, based on speed, terrain, and damage level.. This gives us a high degree of control over how couriers will experience various terrain and driving conditions, with some more challenging than others. [/p][previewyoutube][/previewyoutube][p][/p][h3]Watch your weight…[/h3][p]The weight of vehicles also makes a difference, not only in frame, engine and mechanical parts, but also in the cargo your transport. Heavier vehicles and cargo need more powerful engines and the right parts to get through harsh terrain. All items you deliver in PACS have individual weight values, so think twice about your setup before accepting that delivery order for a massive tungsten cube…[/p][previewyoutube][/previewyoutube][h2]
(Mutant) Rat Attack![/h2][p]Don’t be so naive to think that humans are the only living things to survive the apocalypse… depending on your definition of “Survival”. In the darker corners of our world, the most resilient of the animal kingdom have adjusted to their new life in the harsh irradiated wastelands, both in behaviour and in form. Keep your wits about you when scavenging from those old ruins and keep your PACS issued batton with you at all times…
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FAQ[/h3][p]If you have any questions you’d like answered, join our community Discord![/p][p]Here’s some answers to questions we’ve heard so far:[/p][p][/p]

• [p]Will dirt bikes/motorcycles be in the game?
  Unfortunately not. At least for Early Access anyway. Vehicle physics are enough of a challenge for us let alone two wheeled vehicles at the same time!
  [/p]
• [p]How good are the various devs at Studio316 at backing up trailers?
  No Comment…
  [/p]

• [p]Can you join open lobbies or do you have to join people you know?
  There will be options for players to spin up a public session for anyone to join if they wish. You can also create a friends only session and choose which friends to invite, or a solo session[/p]

[h3]We Have a Closed Playtest Window! [/h3][p]Soon-to-be couriers, thank you for your overwhelming interest in our future closed playtest for PACS! We want to make sure we’re in a position to get the best possible feedback from you while you’re having fun, and are excited to announce that you can expect the closed playtest within the first 4 months of 2026.

In the meantime, we’ve had our excellent founding courier community members do regular testing, and we can’t thank you enough for helping us on our development journey!

Don’t forget to sign up at pacsgame.com for closed playtest access![/p][p][/p][p][/p][p][/p][h3]Tyre Popping[/h3][p]A vehicle is only as good as the tyres it sits on, so keeping on top of your rubber is important in the post apocalyptic world. As you traverse the rugged landscapes, your tyres will take the brunt of it. Wearing down as they’re used and degrading on more difficult surfaces. Tyres with lower condition are prone to pop, leaving you feeling…deflated, especially with that rad storm rolling in. [/p][p]Tyres won’t last forever! Leave them on for too long and that rubber becomes…wheel rim. Not great for off road traversal. It’s always handy to have a spare tyre on board and a puncture repair kit handy. [/p][p][/p][p][/p][previewyoutube][/previewyoutube][p][/p][h3]Vehicle Wear & Tear + Damage[/h3][p]Tyres aren’t the only vehicle part that needs maintenance, if you think the apocalypse means you don’t have to check the oil, think again.[/p][p]Engines and batteries degrade over time and require oil to run. Engine’s without Oil in them wear and tear faster and they will start cutting out and spluttering if you run them too far into the ground. [/p][p][/p][previewyoutube][/previewyoutube][p][/p][p]The puncture repair kit isn't the only tool in your toolbox to maintain your vehicles to keep them ticking over in the wastelands. Battery recharge kits, engine repair tools and others give couriers utility to keep all the mechanical components working.
[/p][p][/p][h3]Classic Screenshots and Realism (“Dude, where’s my truck?”)[/h3][p]Since PACS was re-announced with a brand new trailer, a common comment we’ve seen was around the shift in visual style and tone of the game in comparison to the original Steam announcement trailer and the loss of the large ZIL-131 style truck. [/p][p]We’ve heard you and wanted to address this by explaining the creative decision making behind these changes and outline what our plans are generally with the visual identity of the game: [/p][p]Though we have stepped away somewhat from the hyper realism in the first trailer, the combination of a new trailer that leans more heavily on the social chaotic co-op elements of the game and a more stylized player character has possibly made this shift in tone feel more drastic than it really is. [/p][p]Our setting remains the same, we’re still planning to have the sandy desert biomes and snowy peaks shown in the original trailer, though we’re not showing this in content right now to set expectations as we don’t expect those biomes to be ready for Early Access release. We still have the ZIL-131 and other large trucks planned. From a visual perspective with the world and environment, we are still aiming for something that leans on the side of realism: a difficult world that will be dark and gritty, and one you can get immersed in. [/p][p][/p][p]So why move away from hyper-realism? Truthfully it’s just quite difficult to put together perfectly. Especially with vehicles that would need super high fidelity and intricate detail, which was unfortunately out of scope for a team of our size, and presents performance challenges (especially in multiplayer!). [/p][p]It also didn’t quite reflect the level of simulation in the gameplay experience that we are aiming for. Our thinking is this type of realistic style can too easily imply a heavily simulated experience in gameplay, like taking each individual wheel nut off as you replace a tyre; but we were never intending PACS to have such granularity.[/p][p]The original trailer was made at a time when we weren't funded, so we had minimal time and resources to bring something together that would, at the very least, showcase the core experience of the game (delivering packages in the apocalypse), so we could validate if there was a receptive audience. [/p][p]To put this together we looked at the art and models we wanted to create ourselves later in development, and used assets in place of them (like the ZIL!). There are way more realistic assets available than there are stylized, so it was easier to make things visually coherent for that trailer by choosing that style. [/p][p]The core experience of PACS hasn't changed since then, aside from embracing some of the more co-operative and social aspects of the game because we found in testing with community members, that the social co-op shenanigans side of the game is where the most fun was had. [/p][p]As we've discovered that fun, we've leant a bit further towards it visually, with slightly more playful character models, vehicles that aren't ultra realistic in their visual style, and a more playful upbeat trailer to show that personality. [/p][p]We appreciate that this shift may not be what some of the community wanted from the game after seeing the first trailer, but we truly hope that the experience we’re creating will win you over nonetheless. To show that we’re still aiming for a grounded immersive, we’ve collected some screenshots from the game as it’s being created that showcases that direction, and we can’t wait to share more on the other vehicles you’ll be able to modify and drive in PACS.[/p][p][/p][carousel][/carousel][p][/p][h3]FAQ[/h3][p]If you have any questions you’d like answered, join our community Discord![/p][p]Here’s some answers to questions we’ve heard so far:[/p]

• [p]"I have a question that’s been on my mind ever since I learned about PACS Will there be some kind of demo available to get an early feel for the game?"
  We have some public playtests coming up, and also plan to take part in a Steam Next Fest with a demo ahead of release :)[/p]
• [p]"I was curious how big the maps are/how long some of the deliveries can take. Also are the world's randomly generated?"
  We're still experimenting with the exact sizing of the EA map, but we're aiming for around 3x3km with the longest deliveries taking up to an hour. The map will be hand crafted by our team, letting us curate interesting experiences we'd like players to go through on their journey.[/p]
• [p]"Was a little curious how progress worked in multiplier. It it tied to your personal charter or the the servers host??"
  Progress will be tied to an overall world save which will be owned by the server host. Hosts will have to be online, on that save for others to join. [/p][p]Unlocks and progression are world based, if you find and unlock blueprint, everyone in that session will be able to use the CRAFT machine to make that item.[/p]

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[h3]200k Wishlists! Thank you! [/h3][p]We can’t quite believe that over 200,000 potential PACS couriers are waiting to get their hands on the game. We can’t thank you all enough for the interest shown towards PACS, we’re just a small team from Cornwall and this all feels like a crazy dream. We’re hard at work to meet the (quite frankly insane) interest, with a game we hope you will all love as much as we love creating it.[/p][p][/p][h3]The Component Replication And Fabrication Station.[/h3][p]Your trusty CRAFT machine is one of the many keys to a courier's survival in the post apocalyptic wastelands. Taking all the scraps and materials you can gather from a decaying world and turning them into useful items to assist you on your deliveries. [/p][p]
From an extra spare tyre, through to the tools to keep your engine running. The CRAFT machine will give you and your crew a way to keep your delivery business running through rain or rad storm.
[/p][previewyoutube][/previewyoutube][p][/p][h3]The Blueprint to Success[/h3][p]The CRAFT machine doesn’t come pre-loaded! As a reward for your hard traversed deliveries and from scavenging throughout the world, couriers can get their hands on all important blueprints that can be loaded into your CRAFT machine to give you new and exciting items to take on your future journeys! 
[/p][p][/p][previewyoutube][/previewyoutube][p][/p][h3]Next Update[/h3][p]In our next development update, we'll be sharing exciting news about our future playtest, as well as vehicle wear and tear and some of its consequences![/p][p][/p][h3]FAQ[/h3][p]If you have any questions you’d like answered, join our community Discord![/p][p]Here’s some answers to questions we’ve heard so far:[/p]

• [p]How much survival will there be? Players will have plenty of survival elements to consider, with hunger and thirst as well as keeping radiation low and avoiding the hazards that inhabit a post apocalyptic world![/p]
• [p]Will there be an NDA on the upcoming playtest I can sign up for? Nope! [/p]
• [p]Is the game round based or focused on more consistent progression?
  The game has more consistent progression, it's not game over if you fail a delivery or lose some boxes. You'll just lose out on the scrap, reputation, and get yourself a scathing review![/p]

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[p]Welcome apocalyptically interested couriers![/p][p][/p][h2]EXCITING NEWS AHEAD! ⚠️🎉[/h2][p]Today during the Galaxies Gaming Showcase, we revealed a new trailer for PACS:[/p][p][/p][previewyoutube][/previewyoutube][p][/p]

• [p]Deliver parcels with up to 4 players for exciting online co-op gameplay, and earn your place in the post-apocalypse[/p]
• [p]Drive through extreme weather and treacherous terrain[/p]
• [p]Scavenge on foot or wheels to survive and repair your equipment[/p]
• [p]Customize your vehicles with engines, wheels, batteries, drivetrain, bodywork, and more![/p]
• [p]Package parcels, manage your inventory, and be strategic with transport space and materials[/p]
• [p]Wear a company issued respirator at all times[/p]

[p][/p][h2]UNBOXING A PUBLISHER! 📦[/h2][p]We’re happy to announce our publishing partnership with Playstack, known for previous hit titles such as Balatro, Abiotic Factor, and VOID/BREAKER.[/p][p]While we’ve already been working together for some time now, securing this partnership means more people are working together to get PACS into your hands. [/p][p]You may have already noticed some new key art for the game![/p][p]
[/p][p][/p][h2]OUR VISION FOR PACS 💡[/h2][p]PACS is an accessible co-op delivery shenanigans simulator at its heart. However we’re also planning a wide array of vehicle types, and driving experiences with the goal of satisfying driving simulator fans, as well as plenty of open world to navigate and explore.

While we think PACS will be more engaging as a cooperative multiplayer experience, we’re ensuring single players won’t feel left behind. Our vision for PACS is to be fun alone or with friends.[/p][p][/p][h2]PLAYTEST SIGNUPS! 🗒️[/h2][p]We’re inviting you to sign up for our future closed playtest at www.pacsgame.com[/p][p][/p][p][/p][p]PACS is made by a small team in West Cornwall. We’re humbled by the support you’ve shown us so far, and can’t wait to involve you in our development journey.[/p][p]- Studio 316 & Playstack[/p]

[p]Welcome couriers to Post Masters Update #5. Inventories, emotes and radiation are this month's topics and how they play their part in your role as a brave courier![/p][h3]Different crates for different fates[/h3][p]PACS equips couriers with various box types and sizes - because no two deliveries are ever quite the same. Single item order? Shoe box it is. Hauling bulky goods? There’s a crate for that. Or maybe, you need that lead lined container for those glowing items that don’t seem healthy if exposed to for long periods of time…[/p][previewyoutube][/previewyoutube][p]Whatever the order, there is a box built for it. [/p][p][/p][h3]Inventory Jigsaw [/h3][p]Inventory space is a precious resource in PACS. Your standard issue backpack and the boxes used to deliver items can only hold so much! Items aren’t uniform in shape either, meaning you’ll have some inventory jigsaw puzzling to do as you collect and store your loot from scavenging the world![/p][previewyoutube][/previewyoutube][p]What is more important? Those water bottles and cans of beans, or that spare tyre you found a mile back? [/p][p][/p][h3]The Art of Silent Delivery [/h3][p]Communication is key to running a successful Courier Service, no less in the apocalypse! Beyond proximity voice chat and radios, you’ll be able to express your joy or disdain with your courier colleagues, point to where you need to go or just give a big shrug when your friend asks where you put that only repair tool you brought on the delivery.[/p][previewyoutube][/previewyoutube][p]Sometimes a well-timed emote says more than words ever could.[/p][h3]
Radiation[/h3][p]Grab the geiger counter on your way out! The world of PACS is hard to explore, and tricky to navigate. Fallout from the old world, crumbling nuclear plants, radioactive rain clouds, or top secret minerals from redacted facilities… stick around too long, and it won't end well. While the PACS standard issue hazmat gear offers some protection, they wouldn’t pass any modern health inspections.[/p][previewyoutube][/previewyoutube][h3]Next Update[/h3][p]In the next update, we're taking a look at all things vehicle management. Condition of vehicle parts, faults and repairs and more!

FAQ: [/p][p]If you have any questions you’d like answered, join our community Discord![/p][p]Here’s some answers to questions we’ve heard so far:[/p]

• [p]Will the game have a gas/fuel feature?
  Yep! Your vehicles will consume fuel which is a precious resource in the post apocalyptic world!
  [/p]
• [p]How's the driving experience on an arcade to realism scale?
  We’re aiming to create a well simulated experience that can be played casually or more realistically simulated with options for settings like automatic and manual gear controls.
  [/p]
• [p]Are there any plans for a motorcycle in game?
  There are currently no plans for motorcycles in the game at this moment in time.[/p]