Stampede: Racing Royale News

Well, hello there!

It’s been a little while since we checked in with a Stampede: Racing Royale Dev Log. At the end of last year, we spoke about how our team would need more time in the lab to cook up exciting stuff for Stampede, and deliver something big for 2024. Well, we’ve been cooking! Let’s get stuck in…



[h2]Xbox Insider Program [/h2]

For the first time since last October, an early version of Stampede is available to play right now, through Xbox Insider Program! It’s available on Series X|S and Windows PC, for free, with no Game Pass subscription required. If you’re unfamiliar with Insider Program, don’t worry – here are FAQs that totally break down how to access the game and what you can expect.

Bringing Stampede to multiple platforms has always been our ambition, as we want as many folks as possible to be able to race and battle together. Xbox Insider Program gives us the chance to take that first step into multi-platform play. Much like last year’s Steam playtests, Insider Program allows our team to get familiar with developing and publishing a game on a new system, whilst also giving players a sneak peek at what’s to come, via a work-in-progress build, so we can gather your feedback and continue to make improvements.

Speaking of which, once you've taken Stampede for a spin on Insider Program, we would hugely appreciate it if you filled out our survey, to share your thoughts. Thank you!


[h2]What’s New? [/h2]

If you checked out Stampede last year, a quick glance of the game on Insider Program will tell you a lot has changed! The team here have made major strides with the game, adding a huge amount of new content and experiences, as well as improving performance across the board.

Play on Insider Program for a first look over 450 customisation items to unlock (compared to around 60 last year!), and show off your look on an expanded set of maps, including the new ‘Dockyard Dash’ racetrack. The new Challenges, Season Pass, and Kart Mastery features all give you fresh ways to earn rewards, and the new Special Events feature delivers unique Stampede scenarios to take on.

That’s just scratching the surface of what’s been changed, and we’re so pleased to have been able to introduce lots of content and changes that Steam playtest players were calling for in 2023. It’s important for us to show that your feedback has – and will continue to be – listened to, as we build Stampede: Racing Royale together. Sounds cheesy, but it’s true!


[h2]What About Early Access? [/h2]

Whilst we’re delighted to reach this new stage of Stampede’s journey, that doesn’t mean we’ve lost sight of what’s up ahead. We know the Insider Program plans may raise questions around Early Access, so we’re here to answer ‘em.

Xbox Insider Program does not change our plans or timeline for Stampede’s Early Access, coming in the first half of this year, and it’ll be on Steam. Our plan remains the same, and going live on a new platform provides a chance to run important tests and processes that help us nail the Early Access launch.

What you can play today on Insider Program is a first look at what we have planned for Early Access. Much of what you see on XIP will be maintained, but we’re also already gathering reports, feedback, and ideas from players, to help us make more improvements as soon as possible. We’ve already had productive chats with players in Stampede’s official Discord server on pesky bugs, future ideas, and plenty more. Come hang out!

So, jump in and tell us what you think – oh, and get yourself an exclusive reward, to be delivered once Early Access is live, just for playing on Insider Program! Consider it a token of thanks for your support so far. We couldn’t have got to this point without your help, and we’re excited for what’s to come.

See you on the track

hey folks!

The official Discord server for Stampede: Racing Royale is now live. Feel free to join via the link below:

https://discord.gg/43fGQfDeBJ

This is our primary space to chat with both our team and the wider Stampede community. As we really kick things into gear later this year, we'll be organising events, competitions, and more on the server.

If you prefer to just hang out on Steam Discussions, that's fine - we'll be keeping an eye on conversations there, too!

We'll be sharing our next Dev Log and Stampede Podcast very soon, discussing more about our Early Access launch, which remains on track for Steam. Look forward to sharing those with you, and chatting on Discord.

Thank you!

heyhey folks. Hope you've had (and are still having) a great festive period!

Across the Stampede: Racing Royale social channels (X, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok), we recently shared a selection of brand new cosmetic items coming to the game when Early Access begins in 2024. New options for both your kart and character will be available across the game - and here's a look at just some of the stuff we've been cooking up!

In 2024, we'll be sharing so much more on the topic of customisation in Stampede, including how you can discover and earn new items, and the sheer scale the amount of fresh stuff coming your way. For now, though, enjoy this lil glimpse, and tell us if you'd like to see any particular skins or designs. :)

[h2]Characters and Apparel[/h2]














[h2]Karts, Skins, and Wheels[/h2]

Heyhey everyone,

A few weeks on from our last Dev Log, and shortly before the festive period really gets going, we wanted to share another update with you on the status of Stampede: Racing Royale! It’s been an important period behind the scenes, so here’s an overview of what’s been going on.



[h3]FULL SPEED AHEAD! [/h3]

Our development team at Sumo Leamington recently reached a key milestone, producing what we consider to be an ‘Alpha’ build of the Early Access version of Stampede: Racing Royale. A tonne of great work has gone into expanding the game with new features, adding more content and options, and optimising across the board.

This is a big moment, but it’s also part of an ongoing journey. There is plenty more we can (and plan to!) do to improve on this Alpha version, to deliver the quality of game you expect. That work is taking place right now and will continue in the new year.

We say this all the time, but it’s true so we’ll keep saying it – we couldn’t have reached this stage without the support of Steam Playtest players this year. Your feedback has helped shape Stampede already, so thank you once again. When Early Access begins in the first half of 2024, we’ll continue to listen and collaborate with you.




[h3]THE NITTY-GRITTY [/h3]

There are many additions and changes we're working on from community requests, such as an end-of-event "podium scene" and other effects to capture the drama during celebrations. We're also adding some additional tips and explanations throughout to make sure it's always clear what you need to do!

Also, after mentions of wanting more ways to play, we’ve shared a first look at the Special Events mode coming to Stampede. Features like this, which give you more to engage with and achieve, are a big focus for us right now. We’ll keep you posted on more stuff like this through our channels, alongside a chunky set of patch notes once Early Access begins.



On more technical topics, we’re also super busy squashing bugs and improving the gameplay some more. We’ve resolved some commonly-reported display issues, like the ‘roulette’ animation for power-ups not appearing at times, and a few lingering bugs when players partying up. Our Trello board, which shows the status of hot-topic issues reported by playtest players, is up to date – but if something you spotted during playtests isn’t mentioned there, feel free to leave a comment below and we’ll get back to you.


[h3]RACING INTO ’24[/h3]

Our crew will soon be taking some well-deserved downtime, returning in early January to continue working towards more milestones. Our Dev Logs will continue, as well as our feature deep dives and other content across our channels to keep you informed on our road to Early Access, coming in the first half of 2024.

Have a fantastic festive period and see you in the new year!

Our early playtests of Stampede: Racing Royale saw folks jump into our core, standard experience – a 60-player, three-round event, mixing racing and battles. 20 drivers are eliminated in each of the first two rounds before the ultimate champion is crowned!

We had a blast playing this with everyone and the feedback was super positive. However, a common suggestion was to add more variety to how you can play; different modes, structures, and high-stakes events. We also thought this would be cool, so for Early Access launch, prepare for Special Events in Stampede!

Whilst you can hit the track in our standard Stampede experience at any time, there will also be limited-time events that mix up the action and up the ante, offering big-time rewards to the best racers. Look out for the first version of Special Events from the very beginning of Early Access, which we’ll be improving and adding to over time.



Each Season, discover new Special Events with new scenarios to take on against the world. These events might introduce new game modes, change the methods of elimination or qualification. One thing’s for sure: each will test you in new ways. Maybe a Special Event will be Heavy karts only. Perhaps it’ll be a one-round sprint for the win, or the power-ups on offer will change – or disappear entirely. Maybe you’ll need to be wearing an octopus on your head to be eligible to enter, because reasons. Who knows what you’ll discover?

These events will offer big rewards, both for your overall performance and for completing objectives along the way. Special Events can have their own bespoke Challenges attached to them, ranging from simply taking part, to standing out from the herd with feats of mastery. Top performers and Challenge-completers can expect big in-game currency payouts and some of the rarest, coolest customisation gear…  

Each Special Event is time-limited. It could last for an entire Season, a week, or even just one day! Look out for details of live challenges in the main menus and join our community channels to find out details for upcoming events and tips for success. Find us on all your standard social platforms. See you again soon, racers!