: Headlights and bulbs can now be turned on or off by hand even when they are not slotted into a vehicle. Physics Lock Enhancements
Stop regularly to relieve yourself; failing to do so slows your movement speed and blurs your vision. Dealing with Buildings and Points of Interest
Every run of The Long Drive starts in your home garage. Your initial choices and preparation dictate how far you will survive before your first breakdown.
Furthermore, the expansion to 12 road types, while subtle, is crucial for a game where the visual monotony of the desert is the player's primary antagonist. Breaking up that monotony with more varied roads helps re-engage the player's sense of discovery and contributes to the game's core feeling of being on an unpredictable journey.
The Long Drive has long established itself as a niche cult classic—a surreal, desert-traversing simulator that focuses more on the existential dread of a desolate highway than high-octane racing. In October 2024, the developer released a significant update, specifically , aimed at breathing new life into the endless, sandy expanse. The Long Drive v2024.10.17b
Fixed a bug where bulb and big mirror slices would appear with purple "missing texture" colors. The 2024 Overhaul: Context for the Update
The ongoing implementation of the across recent builds completely shifts how players manage cargo. Prior to these optimizations, driving fast over desert dunes meant loose engine parts, gas cans, and ammo boxes would violently bounce out of truck beds. With the fine-tuned barriers applied in v2024.10.17b, traveling at high speeds is less punishing to your inventory hoarding habits. Atmospheric Lighting & Visual Repairs UPDATE V2024.10.17b_test and previous patchnotes
: If enabled in settings, you can press F1 to access tools like the "Save Car" feature, which lets you transfer vehicles between different save files.
: Solved an oversight where very weak guns failed to deal enough damage to shatter glass bulbs. : Headlights and bulbs can now be turned
Liquids are the most valuable resource in the game. You will find gas, diesel, oil, water, beer, and blood stored in various containers like barrels, jerrycans, and bottles. Always use the "sniff" mechanic to verify what is inside a container before pouring it into your car or drinking it. 3. Human Needs
The latest update, version 2024.10.17b, brings a range of new features, improvements, and bug fixes to the game. Some of the key changes include:
Because the physics engine now heavily weighs your inventory, loose items rolling around your cabin can cause unpredictable handling or even injure your character during a crash. Use baskets, pallets, or the glove compartment to secure small items like ammo, food, and sponges. Scavenge with Caution
This update represents one of the most important steps in the game's ongoing evolution, adding new mechanics, gameplay features, and critical fixes that show the vision of developer Genesz and his team. This article will serve as a complete guide to this release. We will break down the patch notes in detail, analyze the major new features, explore how this update fits into the game's long-term roadmap, and help players understand how to install and enjoy this new content. Whether you are a veteran who has crossed the 5000-kilometer mark or a curious newcomer, this deep dive into "The Long Drive v2024.10.17b" will illuminate everything you need to know. Your initial choices and preparation dictate how far
Never mix liquids blindly. Keep dedicated containers for gasoline, diesel, oil, and water. Label them mentally or arrange them carefully in your car. If your engine starts smoking, check the coolant level first; in v2024.10.17b, overheating happens much faster if you push the car up steep dunes. Secure Your Cargo
The core complexity of The Long Drive lies in its fluid simulation. Pouring the wrong liquid into the wrong tank will instantly ruin your vehicle's performance. Liquid Type Primary Use Danger Warning Standard internal combustion engines (VAZ, VW). Do not mix into Diesel engines. Diesel Heavy-duty or specialized diesel engines (Golf, Truck). Causes gasoline engines to stall. Oil
The core loop of the game is deceptively simple: drive down a nearly endless road spanning thousands of kilometres. However, survival requires meticulous management of your resources and vehicle systems.