Bounty Off Road first look: Multiplayer old-school off-roading

Last updated:13/10/2024

Bounty Off Road is a multiplayer old-school off-roader in its infancy. Here is what you need to know – and how you, yes you, can help shape its future.

Making a videogame is not the easiest task as anyone who has done so would agree. But that has not stopped solo studio KODgames (pronounced like the fish) from moving onto its second title, Bounty Off Road, which follows on from Bounty Drag Racing in 2023.

Before I get into the nitty gritty, you should know that what I am showing you is an early alpha build. As such, it is miles from the land of completion. On the flip-side, it also means it is free to play so use the Steam link in the pinned comment to take it for a spin.

Bounty Off Road should therefore not be judged too heavily, not yet anyway – however, the full-time developer would appreciate (constructive) feedback in the comments and play-testing of the multiplayer (more on that later). So dig out your trusty driving gloves and leave a comment.

Disclaimer time: I was paid to make this video, but everything I said is of my own fruition and with zero input from the developer. Well, except to answer my many questions and suffer my useless driving.

Please note: This is the script from my YouTube video, click here or press play above.

What is Bounty Off Road?

What is Bounty Off Road, you whisper seductively? The ‘TLDW’ is that it is an old-school off-roader with modern-day multiplayer. One where you can play largely as you want and with who you want.

While there are numerous off-roader offerings, including something called SnowRunner (nope, never heard of it either), indie developer KODgames has been inspired by early-2000s titles. Including the deceased MotorM4X from 2008 and 2011’s Off-Road Drive.

“While I enjoy off-road games currently in the market, since about 2021 I have been dissatisfied with certain things I wanted games to have, which older games had,” KODgames explained. “That is when I said to myself once Bounty Drag Racing is finished… I will jump in and make my own.”

The two main focus points of Bounty Off Road are social interaction and the “driving experience”. Unlike SnowRunner or Expeditions: A MudRunner Game, gameplay extends beyond four-player co-op and there is a text chat function.

KODgames continued: “We can hold up to 16 players currently, which is vastly more than other games. This can mean a type of gameplay where I can announce a convoy or a get-together and we can have a lobby with a good amount of people jumping in and out.

“The last time I did it I announced a hill climb competition and it was fun seeing everyone take their turn in this hill to see who did it in the lowest time.”

Even if you prefer to play as a single lonely introverted pringle, you may come across other players out in the wild, at a garage or fuel station. Take that, SnowRunner loneliness.

“You could also choose to compete in an event with another player, or just drive around and have fun,” the developer added.

What can you actually do right now?

So what can you do right now in Bounty Off Road? Well, as you can see, not a huge amount. Yet. Three types of event challenge you to weave your way in and out of obstacles as fast as possible, with a cash reward your prize.

Said cash can then be used to buy truck upgrades for at least aesthetic enhancement (hello, obnoxiously bright paintjob) but also performance improvements. For more speed and power.

Fuel consumption and filling up are a thing too. Your fuel level is persistent – even when you close the game. Quitting will therefore not save you.

Instead, you will need to get to a gas station – or ‘petrol station’ to us Brits. By hopping back to your garage, you get enough to drive to fill up. Why? To add a “role-play vibe”.

There is also a day-to-night cycle and weather, though the five-minute random nature of it has not yet been added and the snow and sandstorm effects are for the forthcoming biomes I never had access to.

You can even use automatic gears. Though I suspect many SnowRunner and Expeditions fans will crave some manual control. Even if it means you can over-rev and blow your engine.

Speaking of which, no odd-sounding engine loops here. But you can make use of the differential, connect to objects to winch and use headlights with a full-beam function.

What about the physics?

Right now, things are part-realistic and part-arcadey, which fits with the early 2000s vibe. There is a weightiness to the vehicles and you cannot drive up any old hill in the standard off-roader. Yet the steering is fast (maybe too fast), grip too much and vehicles do not really roll much when cornering hard.

Slightly simplistic environments and relatively few hazards play a role in reducing the focus on the physics and handling models. However, suspension travel is still a thing and being in the ‘low’ instead of ‘high’ gear affects your shift timing and top speed.

As KODgames explained on its Facebook page: “The game will be more focussed on the driving experience than in the physics themselves. There are other games with great mud physics but I prefer to focus on what other games don’t do. I want good driving physics (both at high and low speeds) and a good feeling of progression and role-play.”

What can we expect from Early Access?

By the time we reach Early Access on the 2nd of December 2024, there will be three biomes. Woodland, as demonstrated, plus a hot-and-sweaty desert and chilly arctic. Players will start with one vehicle, so you will need to complete challenges to upgrade your ride and bolster your fleet.

Suspension tuning, for stiffer and softer compliance, will also be added as well as car interiors and (potentially) things suggested by the community. In addition, five or so new vehicles will be added between now and the end of the year.

Where can I play Bounty Off Road?

Bounty Off Road is for PC only. Specifically, the Steam client. That means no Xbox or PlayStation action – and it is likely to stay that way to help with development quality. One-man-band, remember. KODgames said there are currently no plans for a console release for Bounty Off Road or Bounty Drag Racing.

When is the Bounty Off Road release date?

The 2nd of December 2024 is when Bounty Off Road swaps from its free alpha to paid Early Access beta form. Expect to pay $20 or equivalent. In doing so, you will be upgraded to the full release at launch for free.

What do I think about Bounty Off Road so far?

As you have probably seen from the footage, Bounty Off Road needs fleshing out and adjustments to the physics and camera to make it better. But I see potential, especially with its unique 16-player shenanigans.

Other key areas of improvement, to me at least, are to make the environments more varied and detailed, add more stuff to do and really go hard on the driving experience to make it more satisfying.

There could even be some garage customisation, which could be seen by other players on the map. Or perhaps the ability to swap parts with players instead of buying them or sell parts yourself like an auto shop. Features such as these would really separate Bounty Off Road from its rivals.

But what do I know, I just make silly YouTube videos. Speaking of which, be sure to like, subscribe and talk about your ideas for Bounty Off Road in the comments. Until next time. Take care, bye.