Bounty Drag Racing - A Critical Review of An Online Drag Racer

[@shiftsandgiggles]

UPDATE: I am pleased to announce that since the release of this video, many of the issues discussed relating to accessibility and various game features have been addressed and fixed by the developer. As promised, things are moving along and we're seeing improvements in many areas and I look forward to addressing these things in future Bounty content here on the channel.

[@kodgames889]

Developer here Thank you for bringing all these issues to light. Thank you for also stressing that this is a one man's passion project, because it really is. It has never been dissected so thoroughly, and there are a lot of valid points made. All I can really say is that this started as just a game for me to play some races with my friends after work since I didn't like games with mods, where everyone has to get the same mods or sign up to a Patreon to even play together. I never expected it to grow to be considered even on the same level as a AAA game, as I have no prior game development knowledge before this project, I just sat down one day and decided to learn as I went. I am grateful that there are people who care this much about the genre to make a video this long covering everything, and I am also grateful for the players that despite all these issues stick around, I know you have over a thousand hours played, and as such your opinion definitely holds value. I will attempt my best to handle these issues raised to give everyone a better experience moving forward. - KODgames

[@shiftsandgiggles]

Thank you very much for this response, this was the toughest video I've made for this channel yet and I wasn't sure how this would be received. I'm glad you understand, you do have a small and dedicated community, myself included, that will stick around throughout the games life cycle, my intention here was to provide enough honest feedback to the issues that may be turning players away rather than drawing them in. You have the bones for a great game, when fleshed out and working properly, I don't see any reason why it can't last for as long as your willing and able to support it outside of loss of interest and community support. Drawing in new players is one thing, keeping them is another. I'll go on trying to do what I can to draw them in for as long as your able to do your part to keep them. I really miss and look forward to doing more event coverage and tutorials and such soon.

[@dragman667]

I love the game it just definitely needs refining. Here for the long haul!!!!!!🎉🎉🎉

[@sjcapel435]

I agree with shiftsandgiggles you definitely have the bones for an awesome game. Me and my brothers have had a long on going grudge racing rivalry for yrs lol with drag racing games that started with IHRA Drag Racing 2. We have actually picked your title to continue it 😂. So please dig in and add all the meat you can to those bones and you'll definitely build a fan wagon for this games. I look forward to seeing what you do Boss!!

[@wilsonsantiago-e3c]

a fact…. This is what the gaming industry needs (this game) it has so much potential and wish I can help with the game I have both game development and real world knowledge in the automotive industry

[@CITRacingChannel]

As a sponsor of the game and with 1000s of hours combined as a team, we do agree with some of the points brought up in this video. That being said, we do also want to take the time to thank KOD for the time and effort developing this game that we so much enjoy. This game has allowed us to create a community of gamers and racers alike that gets together on a nightly bases. We, as a community, wish to see this game excel beyond all expectations. The sky is the limit with this game and we fully support KOD with all ongoing and future developments. Thank you ShiftsandGiggles for the amazing video! We love the support you have always given the game!

[@shiftsandgiggles]

Thanks, sorry I forgot to bring up all the sponsors that make this game possible as well, I appreciate it and I'm sure the rest of the community does as well. I feel like we're all in this together of sorts, I look forward to seeing things develop. I would love nothing more than to see this grow into something we're all really proud of and I look forward to showing it off here as it happens.

[@austingarber3368]

Just wanted to take a moment to say thank you for the time and effort that you put into this! Bounty, with its quirks, has become a second home for so many of us. KOD will inevitably see this video, and probably this comment (Hi Boss Man!), and I hope he takes it not as someone with 5 hours trashing it, but as one of the veterans providing true constructive criticism. Anyone who’s been in the community long enough has had all the same thoughts you’ve discussed, but maybe not aired them out publicly. We all love this game and want nothing more than to see it thrive!

[@shiftsandgiggles]

Thank you very much, we'll have to see how it goes. I love being a part of the community and I love making content for it, I don't plan to stop if I can help it.

[@xNightflyerx]

Outstanding breakdown. I have high hopes this will go the distance as I am disgusted with the slop games we have been getting(drag racing)

[@shiftsandgiggles]

100% Agree

[@redbelliedgaming]

I absolutely love the fact it's got almost every class in it even including motorcycles. I've honestly never heard of this game yet and have been wanting a drag racing sim for a long time

[@shiftsandgiggles]

The game and most of the dlc is 30% off at the moment and many of the issues that were pointed out in the video are now either fixed or in the process, so there's probably never been a better time to jump in if your interested.

[@BonsaiEn]

I've been playing this game since October, i think you have to go into it with the understanding that its a 1 man game on a limited budget. There has been times where the game has been frustrating to the point where i turn it off and go play American truck simulator or something else. But i am sticking around because i understand with only 1 man this game will take some time but little progress is still progress. If the game continues to be worked on eventually it will be un rivaled in drag racing. For me i love drag racing but don't have the resources to do it for real, this game is probably the closest i will get for now. I think the discord could really use a suggestions box to help the creator understand what the end users want. Obviously not all the request could be fulfilled but at least he would have a better idea of what to work on to keep the players that are there. I hope that if a larger studio with a bigger budget and better tools comes along and wants to partner that offer is taken as it would be best for the game to have a whole team, progress would be quicker. But at the same time that " Team " would need to listen closley to KOD and the community to make sure the game stays as a simulator and doesn't become a cheap arcade game. Overall was the game worth the $40+ AUD i payed for it? in terms of the game it self, probably not, there are a lot of bugs and it looks very basic. BUT in terms of fun Value? Absolutely. I have enjoyed every event i have competed in even though i usually go out first round. Those 2 things sort of cancel each other out. So for now i will continue to play and hope for some killer improvements in the future. Overall Good job KOD

[@shiftsandgiggles]

Well said, and it is encouraging to see all the recent work that's getting done as a result of this, I'm looking forward to seeing where this all goes.

[@o0Raine0o]

not bad for a single person doing this. if he gets into marketing and gets a publisher onboard with at least a little bit of cash, this thing can be improved and maybe reach out to a higher number of people

[@shiftsandgiggles]

I'm not sure what the long term plans are but I don't think it involves publishers with it already a full release title. Marketing is pretty much limited to what you see on this channel and the odd streamer, in other words, word of mouth only. That can still work if the game is of a high enough quality that word gets around and its able to grow a player base rather than struggle to maintain the one it has.

[@RobFRC]

I just tried this game last night and had to refund it at 118 minutes of playtime since I still couldn't get my xbox controller to function correctly even after wiping out all keybinds and building it up from nothing. No matter what I did my gear change buttons would also change the camera view at the same time and ruined every race.

[@RobFRC]

Then I got NHRA and had to refund it after one minute of playtime as there was no graphics settings available and buttons could not be customized. I play on 21:9 and the image was very stretched and low quality. I could walk up the aliasing. Textures like the custom helmets seem like they never load and are just smudges of colors. Drag racing is gettin skrewed in video games.

[@shiftsandgiggles]

I had the same issue, its a fairly recent issue. I ended up using a different button for downshift. With everything else going on, that one slipped my mind, sorry, should have mentioned that. There have been a lot of bug fixes already since this video was released, the dev is paying attention, hopefully that one gets resolved soon.

[@ogdrifter9977]

you guys forgot about the IHRA Drag Racing game series

[@shiftsandgiggles]

I didn't forget them, if it didn't come up in the video its because it got cut for time, sorry. A couple of those were really great, especially for the time they were released. I may have to do an Ultimate Drag Game video sometime where I come up with the perfect game using the best parts of everything that's come out to date. In that scenario, I think I would talking about a couple of the IHRA titles quite a lot.

[@unclebob7875]

@@shiftsandgiggleswould love that Man, I’ve been trying to get into drag racing simulators but don’t even know where to start, beaming and bounty seem to be the only realistic titles out there

[@shiftsandgiggles]

@@unclebob7875 Yeah that about sums it up, if we could combine the best of both we'd be set.

[@AgentZ7]

I look forward to purchasing and trying it out sometime! :)

[@shiftsandgiggles]

I look forward to seeing you in the lanes someday then. Make sure to find your way over to the Bounty Discord when you do.

[@BadWallaby]

I feel like BeamNG is going to get there before any official title lol

[@shiftsandgiggles]

I would love that, BeamNG physics are really great fun, but, I'm still not convinced that the developers actually understand drag racing enough to pull it off even if it was on their radar. From Mad Max looking default drag vehicles to the weird Drag missions where winners are determined by anything but the first car to the finish line in order to achieve mission stars.

[@BadWallaby]

@@shiftsandgiggles Yea thats totally Fair! I feel like the direction for Beam is too far from what a drag sim or console style/career mode would be. Hopefully we get a solid mod OR the RLS career mod has some more drag mission improvements. I def have my fingers crossed for a solid entry soon!

[@Lens660]

Can you do a video where you run the bikes?

[@shiftsandgiggles]

I can but there are no ai opponents and it's very rare that there are bike events within the community of late. Someone will put on a grudge bike race every once in a while but that's about it. To be honest, they could use some work to make them more playable.

[@Lens660]

@ yeah i aint gone lie man they need some more work i played not too long ago the cars a fine but the bikes need more time n work

[@runvs1320]

Man bro , TNAssasin (Shane Boyungs) here.. Im not sure i wanna see what you have to say about Erics new game hes working on lol.. You better not shit on my models either ..lol hahahaha Ive been really trying to tidy everything up so it looks right.

[@shiftsandgiggles]

lol I thought I was being nice here 🤔 I actually had a small clip from Kaos in this at one point, I think it compares favorably so far, I wouldn't worry too much 😁

[@yung_corbean8473]

Been playing since alpha and a tad before that. Game has came long ways from where it shouldve been giving its a 1 man army. This game is gonna blow soon

[@RedNeckMedia101]

I recognize that top fuel bike from ch trader 😮 good to see it getting some use :)

[@shiftsandgiggles]

Unfortunately, its a bit of a neglected class at the moment. I don't think there's ever been an event that's used them in the Bounty community to date. I would love to see them get some attention in the physics and tuning department so they're more likely to get some use someday, they are very cool.

[@RedNeckMedia101]

@ same I love the top fuel bikes irl

[@shiftsandgiggles]

@@RedNeckMedia101 Yeah they're about as cool as it gets in the sport.

[@RedNeckMedia101]

@ agreed

[@austingarber3368]

13:30 I’m dead 💀 lmfao

[@shiftsandgiggles]

Lol, wondered what was going on

[@ROLLINGFANATICS]

I just hope these online only games don't pull a Nitto 1320 legends move ..

[@sjcapel435]

After listening to this video sounds like the game author should consider opening the game up to modding if it's not already. Enjoyed the video I have the game myself and look forward to trying it out

[@shiftsandgiggles]

That would be cool actually and may even allow him to concentrate more on the essentials while allowing the community to supply some better produced content. I don't see it happening but I don't mind being wrong sometimes, we'll see.

[@xNightflyerx]

@@shiftsandgiggles I would have to say that was one of my biggest disappointments when searching mod support on Steam forums. So many possibilities with a mod framework or workshop support in place.

[@shiftsandgiggles]

@@xNightflyerx I have mixed feelings about mods. I think they're great for single player games and open world sandbox multiplayer stuff, but for more focused racing titles I've found that they tend to dilute the player bases when it gets to the point of too many. It becomes a chore to keep up with the mods you need to be able to race in any particular lobbies, series etc.. DLC can have a similar diluting effect in a lot of racing titles, but to Bounty's credit, the tracks are free and you get at least one free car for every class in the game so your never left out based on the content you have.

[@DominoesNetwork]

hey Can you ask kod to add this game on mobile too it will be fun on mobile too.

[@shiftsandgiggles]

I can bring it up, but I don't see it happening. It works on steam decks I think but that's as mobile as your likely going to get. It's not yet at the point where it works and runs smoothly on PC's, I can't imagine it would work too well on a cell phone as it currently is.

[@DominoesNetwork]

@@shiftsandgiggles ok thanks for the reply man keep it going bro

[@cameronwilson3302]

Bought this game played for a few and seen how terrible the graphics are even on max settings and the physics and gameplay is overall horrible!!! He’s released a horrible game and before fixing it and make it great he starts releasing bounty off road which yet again is a flop

[@CropChroniclesFS22]

I love this game but I can't stand all the cool cars being in overpriced DLC

[@shiftsandgiggles]

I agree, especially for the quality of what you get in comparison to similar DLC for any other game under for any other racing genre.

[@mrcontroversy222]

meh meet me on multiplayer beamng no prep lobby bandimere... or bradenton

[@shiftsandgiggles]

That's fun too, but beamng isn't entirely the smoothest experience in itself, especially when you start getting more than a handful of cars in a lobby. As critical as I am about Bounty, its much simpler to get in and have properly timed and scored races and events.

[@GR1MRACER]

Bethesda needs to stop making RPG games and go back to making Drag Racing games

[@whodawhattha84]

Ihra motorsports from 2003 had the best and most realistic tuning capability’s ever made you could build a car that would run within 1/10s of a real build. And the options were endless

[@shiftsandgiggles]

I'm sold 😁

[@shiftsandgiggles]

@@whodawhattha84 The PC version of IHRA Nothing But Attitude was really great, the endless build possibilities, realism, custom rule sets etc made it one of the best, although it had a few issues of its own that were never resolved to make online play all that viable. The PS2 version was a slightly stripped down version of that and I would rather forget about the xbox version.

[@whodawhattha84]

@@shiftsandgiggles in my opinion the only thing that I find unfavorable about bounty is the tuning and build mechanics if it were similar to that of ihra it would be unmatched.

[@shiftsandgiggles]

@@whodawhattha84 I think the physics could use some work as well, to make the cars drive more realistically, and with a greater sense of the power and speed, but other than that, I agree.