The endless highway can feel empty, but v2024.10.17b tweaks the procedural generation algorithms to make exploration more rewarding.
The Long Drive is infamous for its physics engine, where placing a simple can of soda on the dashboard can cause the entire car to flip. The 10.17b update aims to fix the thin metal bars, providing a tighter "Physics Lock" to ensure items stay where you put them. Fixing the "Purple" Bug
Whether you are a veteran traveler trying to keep a finicky Trabant running or a newcomer learning how to siphon fuel, this build refines the chaotic, physics-driven sandbox you know and love. What is The Long Drive?
Players can now turn on headlights and bulbs by hand even when they are not equipped in their slots. This offers a new way to explore at night or handle parts before installation.
Practical tips for players
Extremely weak weapons now correctly behave, with fixes allowing them to shatter bulbs. 2. In-Depth Look at the Update Features
Keeping your vehicle running requires a keen eye on your fluids. This build refines how engines process fuel mixtures:
[Home Garage] ➔ [Scavenge House] ➔ [Check Engine] ➔ [Sort Liquids] ➔ [Hit the Road] 1. Scavenge Your Starting Location
A thin "Physics Lock" has been added around Metal Bars , and triggers for various vehicles have been adjusted to prevent items from flying off during high-speed travel. The Long Drive v2024.10.17b
A more user-friendly dev menu (opened with F1 ) now includes item searches and pictures to help players navigate the sandbox. Gameplay Experience in the Test Branch
: A seemingly infinite desert with distant landmarks (like mountains) that are actually reachable.
: Players who enjoy the game find it a "10/10" for relaxation, praising the infinite road, custom radio support (which now supports .flac ), and the pure, goal-less driving experience.
The update also introduces new interactive objects and expands the game's seasonal biomes. The endless highway can feel empty, but v2024
Weak firearms are now properly calibrated to destroy lightbulbs.
Use a rubber hose to drain fuel from abandoned vehicles parked along the road.
The Long Drive v2024.10.17b_test introduces significant physics and item handling updates to the beta branch, including hand-held lighting, improved pumpkin functionality, and enhanced collision stability [1]. Key fixes address visual bugs like purple mirrors and add new road types, while addressing known issues with multiplayer, saves, and terrain generation [1]. For more details, visit SteamDB at SteamDB .
: Fixed a bug where low-damage guns were unable to destroy light bulbs. Visual Bug Fixes Fixing the "Purple" Bug Whether you are a
The Long Drive - UPDATE V2024. 10.17b_test and previous patchnotes - Steam News. UPDATE V2024.10.17b_test and previous patchnotes
The path forward includes integrating the beta branch features into the stable game, fixing remaining bugs (like the passenger-seat engine issue in multiplayer), and continuing to add the items, vehicles, and mechanics that make the desert feel alive and unpredictable. The developers are aware of the community's desire for more content and a definitive end goal, with the road currently ending at 5000 kilometers.
