MAJOR TESTS BEFORE LAUNCH. ARCADE ONE LAUNCHES ON AUGUST 1

Building the track was one phase. Designing the cars was another. Configuring the controls, video transmission, and the entire system was yet another.

But it's only when real players get behind the wheel that you can see whether all these elements actually come together to make a game.

From July 20–26 At the Arcade One track, we conducted our largest aRCadeRally test series to date. We made the cars available to people who signed up for free test drives. Anyone could give it a try.

No prior experience. No knowledge of the track.

That's exactly what I meant.

The track is no longer just a project

In a racing game, everything is predictable. The car responds exactly as programmed, the road surface always behaves the same way, and any collision can be undone with a single button press.

On Arcade One, there's a real car on the other end of the line.

It has realistic suspension. Realistic traction. It picks up speed, lands after a jump, and responds to every move the player makes. The footage comes from a camera mounted on the vehicle, so you view the track not from above, but directly from the driver’s perspective.

During the tests, we wanted to evaluate more than just the technology. We wanted to see how quickly someone experiencing the Arcade One for the first time begins to understand the car and its driving line.

The reply came quickly.

First, you get to know the car. Then you start racing.

The first few laps were uneventful. The test drivers were getting a feel for how the cars handled, the width of the track, the placement of obstacles, and the points where it was best to ease off the gas.

The subsequent runs were different.

They began braking later, entering turns more quickly, and navigating the jumps with increasing confidence. The players started using the full width of the course and consciously choosing their racing lines.

After a few runs, it was no longer just about reaching the finish line safely.

It was all about time.

Third gear and full throttle

The video below shows a race between two testers who had already completed several runs on the Arcade One.

You can tell the difference.

The cars move smoothly, without any erratic movements. The players maintain a good line, take the turns precisely, and use third gear when the track allows them to pick up speed.

The turbo also kicks in on the straights.

Not all the time. Not without control. Used at the right moment, it can shave off fractions of a second. Used too early, it can send you into the barrier.

It's not just about driving anymore.

That's risk management.

Testers found things that no simulation can show

The tests also had a very specific technical purpose. We observed how the cars, the controls, and the video feed performed during actual test drives conducted by different people.

Everyone drives differently. Some make subtle adjustments. Others floor it from the very first lap. It’s precisely this diversity that allows us to test the system much more thoroughly than if the driving were done exclusively by a team that has known the track from the start.

We collected feedback from testers regarding controls, vehicle handling, visibility, and the gameplay experience itself. We implemented several of the technical issues they pointed out during testing. We used the rest to further refine the system before the game’s official launch.

Those weren't demonstration runs.

That was the final adjustment before the start.

Different people. One common reaction

The free trials were open to anyone interested. We wanted to see Arcade One through the eyes of people who hadn't been involved in its construction and weren't familiar with every turn.

That's an important perspective.

For us, the track was the result of months of design, construction, and testing. For the tester, it only began to exist the moment the image from the car’s camera appeared on the screen.

The first few meters required concentration. After a few laps, I started to feel more confident. A moment later, the competition began.

Of course.

Arcade One doesn't forgive careless driving

Arcade One was designed for fast driving. It features jumps, bridges, technical turns, long stretches where you can pick up speed, and sections where even a small mistake can cause you to lose your line.

You can drive cautiously.

You can also shift into third gear, use the turbo, and try to complete a lap at the limit of traction.

The track does not choose a strategy for the player.

It only shows its consequences.

Everything was leading up to August 1

Extensive testing has concluded the most important phase of preparations ahead of the launch. We put the cars through their paces during intensive test drives, gathered feedback from test drivers, and made final improvements.

Now all that's left is the start.

Real cars. A real track. A real battle for every second.

Construction is now complete.

On August 1, Arcade One will open to players.

The race is about to begin.