godot-genre-racing

name

godot-genre-racing

description

Expert blueprint for racing games including vehicle physics (VehicleBody3D, suspension, friction), checkpoint systems (prevent shortcuts), rubber-banding AI (keep races competitive), drifting mechanics (reduce friction, boost on exit), camera feel (FOV increase with speed, motion blur), and UI (speedometer, lap timer, minimap). Use for arcade racers, kart racing, or realistic sims. Trigger keywords: racing_game, vehicle_physics, checkpoint_system, rubber_banding, drifting_mechanics, camera_feel.

Genre: Racing

Expert blueprint for racing games balancing physics, competition, and sense of speed.

NEVER Do (Expert Anti-Patterns)

Physics & Handling

• NEVER use a rigid camera attachment; strictly use a Smooth Follow pattern with lerp() to prevent motion sickness.
• NEVER prioritize realism over fun; strictly increase Gravity Scale (2x-3x) and keep friction high for responsive arcade feel.
• NEVER use VehicleBody3D default settings for karts; strictly rewrite suspension using Raycasts or custom spring/damper models.
• NEVER apply steering torque directly to mass; strictly use a steering curve factored by lateral velocity.
• NEVER calculate suspension without a damper model; strictly include damping to prevent eternal oscillation (bouncing).
• NEVER ignore the Center of Mass property; strictly offset it downward to ensure stability during high-speed turns.
• NEVER multiply engine force by delta; it is an integrated force in the physics solver.
• NEVER rely on is_action_pressed() for manual gear shifting; strictly use is_action_just_pressed() for single-tap accuracy.

AI & Competition

• NEVER use static AI speeds; strictly use Rubber-Banding to keep races competitive based on player distance.