- Update v0.8.34 is LIVE! - 26 March 2026
Hello riders! The latest update is finally here after a bit of a delay, so thanks for your patience. This release introduces two brand-new trails, improvements to NPC AI, subtle UI enhancements and range of fixes. Take a look at all the details below: Release Notes🆕 New Content"Timberflow Meadow" Track: A relaxed countryside trail set in the Mountain Hills environment, featuring wooden features, rocky sections, and even a few cows along the way."Highfall Crossings" Track: A fast-paced and technical descent in the Blackrock Heights environment, with exposed ridgelines, tight turns, and narrow bridges.🕹️ EnhancementsNPC AI Improvements: Enhanced pathfinding and smoother behavior on technical sections, allowing NPCs to handle more challenging terrain.Challenge Tier Selector: Empty challenge tiers are now hidden, reducing visual clutter and making navigation more intuitive.🛠️ FixesLighti…
- Update v0.8.33 is LIVE! - 5 January 2026
Hey riders, new update just dropped! We’ve put a big focus on performance this time around to make rides smoother and cut down on stutters, plus added some visual improvements to keep the trails looking even better. Check all the changes below: Release Notes: 🕹️ EnhancementsRocks Rework: Rock sets in the Mountain Hills and Rocky Ridge environments have been updated with better-fitting visuals, more variety, better blending with the terrain, improved collisions and optimizations for smoother performance.Free Ride Selector: Selecting Free Ride from the main menu now opens a popup where you can choose your environment, condition and controls before you start.🛠️ Fixes & OptimizationsOcclusion Culling Optimizations: Switched to a GPU-based occlusion culling method and updated hierarchy instancing to reduce hitches.LOD Stability Improvements: LOD tuning and improved instancing should result…
- Update v0.8.32 is LIVE! - 4 November 2025
Hey riders, get ready to send it! This update rolls out a brand-new track in Blackrock Heights environment, fine-tuned bike handling and physics and a few technical tweaks under the hood to keep your run fast and fun. Release Notes: 🆕 New Content“Rockslide Pass” Track in Blackrock Heights: A brand-new descent through Blackrock Heights! Rockslide Pass kicks off with a steep entry drop that tightens into fast, technical, twisting turns. Perfect for riders who love precision and flow.🕹️ EnhancementsBike Handling & Physics Tweaks: Subtle improvements to handling and physics make every ride feel smoother, faster and more natural.🛠️ Fixes & OptimizationsCornering Slowdown Fix: Resolved a physics issue that caused the bike to lose too much speed while turning. Corner flow should now feel much better.Wildlife Performance Boost: Optimized how wildlife interacts with the player and NPCs to red…
- Update v0.8.31 is LIVE! - 21 September 2025
Hello riders! This update brings two fresh challenge tracks, one sketchy and dark, one all about big air! Plus a beefed-up Mountain Hills environment, Steam status goodness, and a round of improvements and bugfixes. Check the details: Release Notes: 🆕 New ContentElite Challenge Track "Broken Bridges": A dark, sketchy, half-destroyed cave route built to test your line choice and nerves. Mind the gaps!Jumpy Challenge Track "Sandstone Hopper": The first Jumpy tier challenge track is here. Hit massive senders and enjoy lots of airtime!🕹️ EnhancementsMountain Hills Environment: Surroundings updated with new cliffs, trees, fences, and points of interest for a more visually pleasing ride.Steam Presence: Your Steam friends can now see what you’re currently shredding in your status.Main Menu: Replaced Instant Ride with a Freeride button, letting you jump straight into freeride on a randomly se…
- Looking Back and What's Coming Next - 2 September 2025
Hello riders! We wanted to take a moment to look back, thank you for being part of this journey, share a sneak peek at what’s ahead and give you update on release timeline. Looking Back It’s been just little over two years since DownhillVR launched in Early Access, and what a ride it’s been! Since launch, we’ve delivered 22 updates, packed with new content, gameplay enhancements, and technical upgrades. Here are some of the highlights: Free Play mode nearly doubled in size! We started with 13 trails and now feature 25 unique routes to shred. We also introduced a whole new environment - Blackrock Heights, alongside upgrades to our original locations, Mountain Hills and Rocky Ridges, with added rivers, wildlife, and revamped terrainImproved replayability of Free Play and Challenge modes with a progression and completion systemChallenges expanded from just 5 tracks to a solid 20, with spec…
- Update v0.8.30 is LIVE! - 18 August 2025
Hey riders! This update focuses primarily on visual improvements and fixes. Expect crisper terrain, improved puddles and rain, and enhanced snow on Rocky Ridges for a more natural look. Plus a round of polish and bug fixes to keep things smooth. Check out the details below. Release Notes: 🕹️ EnhancementsTire Tracks: Now appear in more spots across Free Play environments.Terrain Lighting Improvements: Crisper terrain normals with a stronger light pop (fixed an over-blending issue that muted detail).Snow on Rocky Ridges: Finer blending with the ground and new snow meshes for a more natural look.Rain: Raindrops move more naturally, with heavier rainfall in select areas.Puddles: Visual upgrades, especially on Epic graphic preset, with improved translucency and extra shine on icy puddles.Surroundings Polish: Small environment touch-ups in the Main Menu, Blackrock Heights, and cave challenge…
- Update v0.8.29 is LIVE! - 18 June 2025
Hello riders! This update is all about making the game run better. We’ve focused heavily on improving performance and fixing issues that could cause stuttering or slowdowns. Along the way, we’ve also added a tutorial for new riders, polished up visuals like grass, snow, and lighting, and squashed a bunch of bugs to help keep your ride smooth and fun. Check out what's new: Release Notes:🆕 New ContentTutorial: A tutorial has landed to help new riders quickly get up to speed. It's available right after launching the game for the first time via the welcome message, or anytime through Main Menu > Garage > Tutorial.⚙️ EnhancementsBetter Foliage: Grass visuals have been improved with increased density and more realistic wind movement, especially on High and Epic graphics settings.Ribbon Tapes: Trackside tapes now sway more naturally in the wind and feature updated materials.NPC AI Improvement…
- Update v0.8.28 is LIVE! - 13 May 2025
It’s finally here! The long-awaited new Free Play environment just dropped! This rugged beast delivers everything you’ve been waiting for: brutally steep terrain, razor-thin lines, and our first double black diamond trail. With four all-new tracks packed into this high-altitude monster, this update cranks up the challenge and takes you to new heights. Throw in visual improvements, performance boosts, gameplay tweaks, and more, and you’ve got yourself a ride worth gearing up for. Release Notes: 🆕 New Content "Blackrock Heights" Environment: Rising from sheer rock and wind-scoured peaks. Extremely fast, brutally steep, with narrow, rugged paths and zero forgiveness - welcome to Blackrock Heights. This high-mountain enviroment arrives with three technical black diamond trails and marks a milestone - the debut of our first double black diamond beast!"Highline Slide" Track: Tight and techni…
- Update v0.8.27 is LIVE! - 15 March 2025
Hey riders! This update is packed with fresh challenges, a new progress tracking menu, and some visual and performance improvements. We’ve also made some fine-tuning, optimized materials, and fixed some bugs and more. Check out the details below. Release Notes: 🆕 New ContentFlying Caver Elite Challenge Track: New Elite tier challenge track set deep in the caves. Packed with dangerous jumps, high-speed sections, and twisty corners. Can you fly thru unscathed?Mad Man's Road Speedy Challenge Track: Test your precision and speed on this smooth, fast-flowing challenge track with winding turns and narrow jumps.🕹️ EnhancementsFree Play & Challenges Completion Progress Screen: A brand-new menu screen in Garage was added that helps you track your completion progress across Free Play and Challenges.Speedy Environment Improvements: Enhanced landscapes with better grass, improved generated geomet…
- Update v0.8.26 is LIVE! - 8 January 2025
Riders, get ready! This update is all about making conditions stand out. Each condition now feels unique, with tweaks to visuals, physics, and gameplay to keep things fresh. Given these changes, we’ve also split leaderboards and personal track times by condition for a more competitive and fair experience. On top of that, we’ve improved puddles, materials, and performance for a smoother, more detailed ride. Here's what’s new on the trails! Release Notes: 🕹️ EnhancementsWater Puddles: More puddles can now be found in appropriate areas based on conditions, with some puddles even turning into ice in colder environments. The puddle material has been improved for better visuals, making them more natural and immersive.Greater Differences Between Conditions: Each condition now has more distinct gameplay differences, including ideal lines, physics tweaks, and updated visuals.Improved Grass Rend…
- Update v0.8.25 is LIVE! - 16 November 2024
Gear up! We’re thrilled to bring you a fresh update for DownhillVR! This one’s all about smoothing out the ride with essential fixes, performance boosts, and a few tweaks to make your experience even better. While there’s no new trail this time, we’ve fine-tuned everything from respawn systems to visuals and added some helpful guidance for new players. Check out the details below and get ready for a more polished journey down the mountain! Release Notes: 🕹️ Enhancements & Optimizations Respawn System Overhaul: The respawn system has been reworked to reduce respawning in inconvenient places, like right before jumps or in the river. Now, both player and NPCs should respawn in better spots, creating a smoother game flow. Welcome Message: The welcome message for new players has been updated with new graphics for a warmer introduction. Player Assistance HUD Messages: Additional HUD messages…
- Update v0.8.24 is LIVE! - 29 August 2024
Hey Riders! A new adventure awaits you in DownhillVR! We’ve added an exciting new track that’s sure to test your skills, along with a set of tweaks and enhancements designed to make every ride feel better than ever. From improved visuals to smoother steering, this update has a bit of everything to keep your downhill experience thrilling and immersive. Dive into the details below and see what’s in store for your next ride! Release notes: 🆕 New ContentShatterstone Pass: A new track has been added to the Rocky Ridge environment, featuring a challenging trail with rocks, trees, rivers, and more.🕹️ EnhancementsVR Steering Precision: Enhanced VR steering for greater precision, especially when steering by leaning your body.Landscape Textures: Upgraded landscape textures in the Rocky Ridge environment for a more realistic and immersive visual experience.Ride Info on Finish Screen: An info bar…
- Update v0.8.23 is LIVE! - 31 July 2024
We’ve got a fresh update packed with exciting new track, a lot of enhancements, fixes and optimizations to make your downhill adventures even more thrilling. Gear up and check out what's new in DownhillVR version v0.8.23! Release Notes: 🆕 New ContentCliffside Cut: Explore the brand-new "Cliffside Cut" track in the Mountain Hills environment.🕹️ EnhancementsRocky Ridge Environment: The landscape has been enriched with additional rivers, rocks, and puddles. Lighting resolution has been enhanced for improved visual quality.Rocky Ridge Tracks: Tracks Pathfinder's Rush, Close Encounters, Everfrost Alley, Snowflight Swipe, Blizzard's Bite, and Frostflow Course have been tweaked with new obstacles and smoother track flow, enhancing your downhill experience.Day Condition and Main Menu Lighting: Tweaked lighting for day conditions and the main menu to enhance overall visual appeal.Checkpoint Pi…
- Update v0.8.22 is LIVE! - 28 June 2024
We're thrilled to announce the release of update v0.8.22. This update brings a host of quality of life improvements, performance enhancements, and visual upgrades to enhance your gameplay experience. From revamped lighting and improved in-air controls to new ambient sounds and optimized materials, we've worked hard to make your rides smoother and more immersive. Dive into the details below and see what's new in DownhillVR! Release Notes: 🕹️ EnhancementsLighting Improvements: We've updated lighting for improved visuals and increased performance.In-Air Control: You can now lean side to side while airborne to slightly adjust your flight direction.Challenge Ghost Rider: Ghost riders will now fade out when too close to you, reducing visual clutter. Additionally, the ghost's bike now matches its color.Mountain Hills River: The Mountain Hills environment has been updated to include rivers for…
- Update v0.8.21 is LIVE! - 26 April 2024
Hello riders! Welcome to a brand-new update for DownhillVR, packed with exhilarating new tracks and crucial performance tweaks. While we've had to make some compromises on the visual front to keep your rides smooth, we're committed to continuously improving both performance and graphics. Here’s everything you need to know about this new version. Release Notes: 🆕 New ContentRise'n'Glide Sprint: Take on Rocky Ridge’s new track with ascending challenge that lead into thrilling descents and spectacular jumps.Chillwind Traverse: Experience swift downhill action on Rocky Ridge, featuring occasional jumps and a variety of terrain to keep you on your toes.Blizzard's Bite: Gear up for an intense short climb on Rocky Ridge followed by a twisting descent packed with sharp turns.Pinpoint Dash: Ready to prove your skills? The first Elite Championship Series Challenge is here, designed to truly test…
- Update v0.8.20 is LIVE! - 7 April 2024
We've been hard at work to bring you an exhilarating update packed with new content, enhancements, and optimizations. Get ready to explore new trails and challenge tracks, unlock some achievements, and enjoy a more seamless experience in DownhillVR! Release Notes 🆕 New Content Everfrost Alley: Brace yourself for the chilling winds and icy path as you navigate the newest addition to Rocky Ridge.Snowflight Swipe: Set off on a thrilling ride through this new trail on Rocky Ridge with breathtaking views and heart-racing drops.Frostflow Course: Glide down this mellow, flowy trail on Rocky Ridge and enjoy the beauty of the ride.Cave Diver's Run: Dive deep into the cavernous depths with this new Pro Challenge track.Momentum's Way: Test your skill on this new Speedy Challenge track and conquer its gravity-defying curved turns.🕹️ EnhancementsSteam Achievements: The wait is over! Unleash your h…
- Update v0.8.19 is LIVE! - 27 March 2024
Dive into the latest DownhillVR update, packed with enhancements, tweaks, and bug fixes designed to turbocharge your mountain biking adventures. From new overhauled NPC AI to more optimized gameplay, version 0.8.19 is all about elevating your VR biking experience. Release Notes 🕹️ Enhancements: NPC AI Revolution: Our NPC riders have been supercharged! We've completely revamped the AI system to offer you head-to-head races filled with excitement. On Extreme difficulty, NPCs can nearly match the leaderboard's top times, while remaining more approachable on Easy. We're eager to hear your feedback on racing against our new and improved NPCs! Bike Physics Tweaks: We've dialed in the rear wheel friction, enhancing control and minimizing slips during aggressive maneuvers.Visual Refinements: Dive into an even more immersive world with our updated materials and textures, ensuring each ride is v…
- Update v0.8.18 is LIVE! - 6 February 2024
Hey riders! We're thrilled to announce the latest updates to DownhillVR, filled with exciting new challenge track, a lot of improvements and important fixes to ensure your virtual mountain biking experience is better than ever. 🆕 New ContentNew Speedy Track: Brace yourself for the 5th Speedy challenge track, "Lean To The Twist." Experience adrenaline-inducing speed with smooth turns to keep your heart racing.🕹️ EnhancementsLeaderboards on Finish: The finish screen now features a leaderboard button, giving you immediate access to track time leaderboards. See how you stack up against other riders without having to navigate back to the main menu.⚙️ ImprovementsFences Collision Physics: Fences have been reworked to be more bouncy, enhancing collision realism and adding an extra layer of excitement to your rides.Sweeping Coaster Challenge Trophy Times: The bronze time for the 1st Speedy ch…
- Update v0.8.17 is LIVE! - 23 January 2024
Riders, get ready for the DownhillVR 0.8.17 update! We've added exciting new content and crucial fixes to elevate your mountain biking adventure. Let's dive into the latest enhancements and improvements! Release Notes 🆕 New Content Spelunker's Split Challenge Track: Unveil a new Pro tier challenge track for a thrilling ride.🕹️ EnhancementsRace Medals & Time Trial Trophies in Free Play: Track your progress in Free Play by viewing your best results in races and time trials across various tracks and conditions. Can you conquer the clock in time trials to earn a gold trophy, or secure the first-place medal in races against numerous NPCs, even on extreme difficulty?Headlamp in Speedy Challenges: Headlamps now activate earlier, ensuring better visibility before you dive into tunnels in the Speedy Challenges.PID and G-Force Computation Tweaks: We've implemented fixes for more accurate and re…
- Update v0.8.16 is LIVE! - 21 December 2023
Hello, DownhillVR enthusiasts! We're super excited to bring you the latest update, v0.8.16. This update is brimming with adrenaline-inducing new challenge tracks, significant enhancements, and crucial fixes to elevate your gaming experience. Get ready for an even more thrilling ride in DownhillVR! Here is what you can expect: Release Notes 🆕 New ContentSpeedy Challenge Tier: Introducing four exhilarating new tracks - Sweeping Coaster, Skybound Lane, Tunnel Express, and Ripple Dash. Each track offers a unique and thrilling challenge, testing your skills like never before! Dynamic Obstacles: Experience a new level of excitement with dynamic obstacles such as pallets, traffic cones, makeshift ramps, and more. These obstacles are now part of both new and existing tracks, adding a fresh twist to your rides. 🕹️ EnhancementsRefined Challenge Tiers: The challenge tiers have been expanded for…
