This update isn't just a minor tweak; it's a significant expansion of how players interact with the backyard. The headliner is the new Buggy Racing mode, accompanied by a dedicated starting map called Lakeside Loop. For those of us who have spent hours perfecting our bases, this adds a fresh layer of competitive play that feels like a natural evolution of the game's traversal mechanics.
To support this high-speed shift, Obsidian and Eidos Montréal have added a suite of new objects for custom track building. Creators can now utilize:
- Race Start & Waypoints: Essential for defining your circuit's flow.
- Speed Boost Pads: For that much-needed burst of momentum.
- Sticky Sap: A tactical hazard designed to slow down anyone trailing behind.
On the technical side, there is a critical change you need to be aware of: the game's executable has been swapped from WinGRTS to Win64. This is a one-time migration that will unfortunately reset all your player settings. It is a small price to pay for better stability, but make sure to take a screenshot of your sensitivity and keybinds before jumping in.
For the handheld community, the news is even better. Grounded 2 players on Steam Deck can now link their Microsoft accounts to enable full online play and crossplay. This finally bridges the gap for Deck users who were previously restricted from the wider multiplayer ecosystem.
Soren