Champions Stable: Playtest 2 Patch Notes

Welcome to the second playtest! Here's everything that's changed since last time.

🏇 Racing System Overhauled

We've worked deeply on the race, and it now revolves around one core idea: you manage a living athlete, not a speed stat. Performance isn't decided by a single number: it emerges from multiple attributes interacting under pressure.

What that means on the track:

• Managing speed: three zones (cruise, push, surge). Each buys you pace, and each sends the bill to your stamina.
• Stamina: it's finite, and the exhaustion curve is a cliff, not a slope. Spend it too early and there's nothing left for the line.
• Slipstream: the pack isn't just an obstacle, it's a resource. Draft in a rival's wake to save energy. The HUD shows your draft percentage.
• Sprint: a single finishing weapon. One well-timed surge beats three desperate ones: timing wins races.
• Rival AI: opponents now think and adapt to your moves. Every race is a conversation, not a script.

The HUD displays speed band, stamina, and draft in real time, alongside live placings.

⚙️ Technical Optimization

First round of technical optimization for the race. During the race, press keys 1 to 6 to test the different quality levels, gathering your feedback on performance across settings helps us a lot.

🌍 Open World: First Look

You'll find a first look at the open world! It's pure exploration for now, no mechanics yet,a taste of where we're headed.

🛠️ Improvements From Player Feedback

We've reworked many sections based on your suggestions (for example, training). Keep the feedback coming!

📬 Tutorial via Mail (New)

The management hub now has a mail system: through a first integrated tutorial, the player receives the information they need, right when they need it.

📖 Game Instructions in the Menu

You'll now find game instructions directly in the main menu.

Enjoy the playtest, and thanks for the feedback — it's what makes the game grow. 🐎