We're happy to announce that patch#5 will be released on October 10th!
This will include a small cosmetic DLC that will be free for all platforms as a thank you to the community.
In case you missed our last dev blog talking about what to expect, check it out here.
Looking forward to seeing everyone in Barcelona!
Developer Blog #18 | Patch #5 update and what to expect
Hello Drivers!
Summer is almost over, but things are just heating up for Taxi Life. We’re working hard on bringing the biggest patch to date (this also includes consoles + steering wheels) and we’re here to show you guys some of the things you can expect. So let's dive in to see what you can expect in patch #5.
Photo Mode
Yeah, that's right - we’re adding photo mode into the next patch. We heard so many of our players say how awesome it would be to have a photo mode and take in all of the glorious scenes you experience while driving through the city of Barcelona. Now you’ll be able to take all the glamor shots of your pimped out people carrier that you need.
Need more practice? Go back to school!
Sometimes the streets of Barcelona can be tough for a Taxi driver. So why not give you the opportunity to go back and practice some of your parking skills? Or maybe you're having issues with doing a 3 point turn? Or MAYBE you just want to run over some traffic cones. Regardless, players will be able to go back to driving school to polish up their driving skills for the real world (in Taxi Life).
Mouse Steering
Mouse steering is something that has been mentioned by our players many times. For some it's an accessibility feature, for others it could just be simply a better way to drive and maneuver the car. With the new mouse steering feature, you’ll be able to find this option in the settings menu and enable or disable it.
Option to hide the HUD and center dot
We know that for a lot of players in our Discord, Steam and beyond the center dot can be more of a distraction rather than being helpful. So we’re giving you the option to disable it and along with that, the option to disable the HUD as well. We understand that players just want that completely immersive experience just driving around the city, with nothing else on the screen but the beautiful landscape and winding streets, this is for you those players! You can access these options in the System settings > Video > Presence of HUD
Alternative quick look features
The quick look feature remains unchanged but its accessibility is being improved. Previously, players had to press LB to use quick looks, which was fine, but not ideal for those who don’t need to look around often but rely heavily on quick looks (e.g., glancing left or right while turning).
Now, an alternative mode will be introduced:
Quick Look OFF Right stick for free look. LB + right stick for quick look.
Quick Look On Right stick for a quick look. LB + right stick for free look.
You'll be able to find this switch in the settings menu and choose which style fits you best.
Various bug fixes
Invisible curbs, peds not behaving how they’re supposed to (still) should also get a nice polish up for the next patch as well. We’re always working on making the game better with the feedback of the community so keep it coming - we’re always listening.
Thanks for being with us
We wanted to finish off with another big thanks to the community. Without you guys we wouldn’t be in the position we are in today with a 72% positive rating on Steam and with that, the game is also 35% off right now!
Also, we wanted to let our community know that we are in the final phases of QA testing, fixing, debugging and patching. Our team is working hard on getting this out ASAP but we need to be thorough as we want our drivers to have the best experience possible on all platforms when patch #5 launches.
As for the future of the game, expect more after patch 5. DLC and more vehicles are being worked on as we speak. More info on that after this patch when it launches.
It's patch day! We're happy to announce that patch 4 has been implemented into Taxi Life and with that, you'll be able to experience new features and improvements for the game. This announcement will be a more condensed version of what we talked about last week, and if you want to see detailed explanation of each feature and update, click here to check out our developer blog.
New Updates and Features
Speed limit sign on the minimap: Drivers will now be able to see the speed limit sign on the minimap, making it easier to see how fast you should be going.
Continuous improvements of AI (car traffic, pedestrians, and AI car physics-based): AI peds are now less keen on trying to get ran over by cars and stepping in the way of players.
Presets for steering wheels: Drivers will now be able to use preset wheel bindings for some of the most popular steering wheel models.
Improved forced feedback (FBB): It will now be easier for Drivers to choose their desired level of FBB.
Adjustable cabin camera position settings: Drivers will be able to adjust the in-cabin camera position to their preferred position.
Adjustable events and traffic spawning density: Drivers will now be able to adjust the amount of events and traffic density in the world. (dev note: please make sure your PC can handle higher density situations)
Informational window when clutch/shifter users: This is for Drivers that connect a shifter to play Taxi Life, it will have vital information on how to get it working.
Various bug fixes: We have fixed various bugs reported by the players and the team.
Thank you!
To the entire Taxi Life community and on behalf of the Simteract team, we wanted to thank you for your continued support for our game. We are not done yet. We still have many more things to add to Taxi Life which includes future DLC, steering wheel support for consoles and more.
We hope you enjoy the improvements in this patch and make sure to follow us on socials and join our Discord channel to stay up to date with the latest news from our team.
Developer Blog #17 | New features and AI improvements
Hello Drivers!
It’s been awhile since we shared information on what we’re working on besides steering wheels for consoles and we thought it would be a good idea to let you guys know what we’re working on for the next patch. On a side note, we’re actually making great improvements on implementing steering wheels for consoles and we’ll have more information on that to share in the coming weeks. So with that in mind, let's dive into what you can expect for that next patch for PC.
New Updates and Features
Speed Limit Sign on the Minimap
We’ve added speed limit signs to the minimap, helping you stay within legal limits as you navigate the streets of Barcelona. It should help players better identify how fast they should be going on a given street that they’re on.
AI Pedestrian improvements
We’ve also been hearing from a lot of players that the pedestrians are sometimes (still) a pain in the butt. So we improved the pedestrians by having them obey the traffic lights better and stop trying to get run over by players when crossing the crosswalk.
Presets for the Wheels
We’re always looking to improve the user experience which is why we added a variety of pre-configured settings tailored to popular wheel models, or create and save your own custom presets. This will make it easier for drivers that have a specific wheel set up to quickly get going.
Fixing FFB (Force Feedback) Issues
We’ve heard your concerns about Force Feedback (FFB) issues and we’re happy to say that we’ve made significant improvements. With these changes, it will be easier for players to choose their desired level of FBB without having to worry about if the values are working correctly or not.
Cabin Camera Position Settings
Adjust the camera to your preferred angle and height to get the perfect view from the driver’s seat. Whether you prefer a wide-angle view or a closer, more immersive perspective it will make it easier for all drivers to find which cabin camera position suits them best.
Events & Traffic Density Spawning Options
Traffic dynamics are about to get a lot more interesting with our new events and traffic density spawning options. Customize the frequency and density of events and traffic to suit your gameplay style. Whether you want a bustling city filled with challenges or a more relaxed driving environment, you can now tailor it to your liking. However, players should keep in mind that the higher density in traffic you choose, the more demanding the game is going to be on your hardware. So please be sure your PC can handle the pressure before cranking that dial up.
Info Window for Shifter Users
This is something that we believe will help players figure out if their clutch is connected correctly. So in the controls panel of the settings menu, players will be able to find information regarding what needs to be done for a shifter to work if you have one plugged. Such as making sure the player is in the correct game mode as well as making sure that the transmission settings in the garage are set up appropriately.
Thank you!
That's what you can expect for the next patch update for Taxi Life on PC. Again, we’d also like to remind all console players that we have not forgotten about you and you can expect steering wheel support and further updates for consoles coming soon. So for now, we’d like to thank the entire community for their support throughout this time and we’ll announce a release date for this patch coming in the next few weeks.
See you in Barcelona!
Mike Simteract Community Manager
How to configure steering wheel and shifter for Taxi Life | Tips & Tricks
Hello Drivers!
in this post we want to clear up some of the issues that people are having while trying to connect their favorite device to play Taxi Life. Below, you will find a FAQ as well as a video made by our community manager Mike showcasing some important steps to take before and after connecting your steering wheel, shifter, guitar or anything else!
Start off by watching our how to guide below
FAQ
1. What does the latest update for Taxi Life include? The latest update focuses on enhancing controller support and customization options for a better gaming experience.
2. How can I set up my controls with the update? Enabling the custom setup option allows you to tailor your control settings to your preferences, enhancing gameplay immersion and control. Navigate to System Settings and select Controls. From there, choose the steering wheel as your preferred device type and enable the custom setup option for optimal performance. Then you’ll be able to choose your own steering wheel model.
4. How should I connect my devices before launching the game? It's recommended to connect all devices (steering wheels, controllers, pedals) before launching the game to ensure they are properly detected and configured.
5. What should I do if my device isn’t recognized after connecting? Double-check all connections and ensure devices were connected before launching the game. Restarting the game may be necessary for proper detection.Make sure to also check if all drivers are updated currently.
6. Can I connect more than one device at a time? Yes, you can connect multiple devices simultaneously.
7. How can I optimize my gaming experience with these new features? Use the custom setup option provided in the Controls menu for a personalized and optimized gaming experience.
8. Where can I get further assistance if I encounter issues? Join our Discord channel and contact the developers directly for troubleshooting tips.
9. Will my shifter work with Taxi Life? Yes - however, please remember that in order for your shifter to work you have to make sure that you selected Simulation or Simulation+Clutch in Game Settings -> Gearbox Mode and Gearbox to Manual in the garage.
10. How will these updates affect my overall gaming experience in Taxi Life? These updates aim to improve controller functionality and customization, providing a smoother and more enjoyable gaming experience for all players.
We hope you learned something new about adding your steering wheel to Taxi Life and solved any problems you might have. Thanks for taking the time to read through our FAQ and stay tuned for more updates from our team!
Patch 3 part 2 IS HERE | All Steering wheel models supported (PC)
Hello Drivers!
It's been a long time coming. The community has been asking and we've been listening. We're very happy to finally announce that PC players for Taxi Life will be able to use all steering wheel models*** with the game starting from today's patch. We wanted to go into a bit more detail on some of the in's and outs of the new binding menu, so lets get into it:
Setting Up Controls
First, we'd like to start off by mentioning that we would advise for players to have there steering wheels plugged into their computer, before launching the game so the game can detect your device. Keep this in mind with multiple devices as well.
After you connected your peripherals, and then launched your game you can access the binding menu from the pause menu.
Click on ESC > Game Settings > Controls > Click on the right arrow to navigate to steering wheel binding menu
Custom Setup Options
Once you’re in the Controls menu, you can select your preferred steering wheel. Here are the key steps:
Choose your steering wheel/device from the list.
Toggle the custom setup option to on
Note: Setting the custom setup to on ensures full functionality, while off mode provides a simplified setup.
Troubleshooting Device Detection
If your device isn’t recognized:
Double-check all connections.
Make sure all correct drivers are installed and updated
Ensure that all devices are connected before launching the game.
Reconnecting devices during gameplay may not always result in proper detection and might require restarting the game.
When correctly connected, your devices should appear in the game’s device list with their specific names (e.g., Thrustmaster T300). Here are some additional details:
You can connect more than one device at a time.
If your steering wheel does not work right out of the box, use the custom binding setup to bind all of the buttons.
After plugging in your steering wheel and you do not get FFB (Forced Feedback), please try and restart the game.
Additional Tips
For the best experience, use the custom setup for all connected peripherals. If you encounter any issues or need further assistance please ping us on our official Discord channel
Minor Bug Fixes
We've also included in this patch some minor bug fixes that players should not be bothered by any more. If you encounter anything new, don't hesitate to let us know. We have 2 more patches to be released, but this does not mean we’re done! We’re going to be working on adding more content to the game within this year.
THANK YOU!
Shoutouts to the entire Simteract/Nacon teams for working hard on bringing this patch live as well as to the community for all of their constructive feedback since the games release. Without you guys, we couldn’t have made it this far. We have a lot more coming for Taxi Life, so stay tuned folks. We're not done by a long shot.
It’s been awhile since we released the second part of patch 3 and we really want to make sure that we bring the community a good update, so it's taking us a little longer than expected to fully flesh it out.
The next part of patch 3 will come later in the month of June. This also means that the remaining patches according to our roadmap, will be delayed until July/August (this includes steering wheels for consoles)
Thanks for being patient throughout this time and we hope all steering wheel players (and beyond) will enjoy what we have in store for Taxi Life.
Ens veiem a Barcelona!
Taxi Life: A City Driving Simulator | PATCH #3 PART 1 | OUT NOW
Hello Drivers!
We know that our players have been waiting for awhile now for the next patch and we’re happy we could finally bring Patch #3 for Taxi Life to you. This is only part 1 of patch 3, as we’re going to be releasing the second half later in the month of May. Without further adieu, let's get into it.
PATCH NOTES
Driving Experience Enhancements
Reduced Tire Screeching: A lot of players were letting us know that their ears were bleeding from the tire screeching of vehicles starting and stopping. Your ears can rest now.
Improved AI
Improved AI Behavior: The vehicle and pedestrian AI have been improved (again) and there should be less cause for headache. If you still notice issues within the game with AI or peds, please let us know.
Customization Options
Field of View (FOV) Settings: You can now adjust the FOV to your liking, improving visibility and immersion as you navigate through the city. We showcased this setting during our last livestream. If you missed it, check it out here.
Inverted Axis Option: We’ve had a few requests to add inverted Y and X axes for controller players. Ask and you shall receive. Force Feedback Slider: There is a slider added into the settings of Taxi Life that will allow players to adjust the strength of the FBB while using a gamepad or steering wheel.
New Content
Player Avatars: Added some new avatars for you to choose from when creating a new save.
Additional Radio Stations: Tune into three new radio stations, bringing more variety and entertainment to your drives around the city.
Taxi Life on sale
Since Simteract is a Polish game developer, we’re putting Taxi Life on sale for Polish constitution day starting on May 3rd through May 10th. Catch Taxi Life up to 20% off!
Tell your friends about this link: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1351240/Taxi_Life_A_City_Driving_Simulator/ Our work is not done yet! We have more patches to go, like part 2 of this one along with more steering wheel support improvements for all platforms. Thank you for your continued support and we’re looking forward to your feedback regarding the new patch.
Welcome to our latest Dev Blog! It’s been a month now that Taxi Life was release. What a ride! Of course, we've had our challenges, accomplishments and also some misfires.
We’re particularly satisfied by the positive feedback we’ve received since our first patches. From the moment our game launched, we’ve been committed to delivering an experience everyone can enjoy by fixing some issues and adding some of your ideas.
PATCH 3
You can see that we’re adding more PC-compatible models of driving wheels. We have a solution to add the possibility to play with many models by adding custom binding menu, where you could set the controls on your device as you see fit.
We’re also continuing to improve AI and fix some bugs. And as you can see, we would like to add some of your requests. We’re going to add a good chunk of it in this patch. Many of you have asked to be able to change the FOV or have more radio stations. It will be possible in the next patch!
PATCH 4
Patch 4 will be an interesting one. We're going to be giving the player options on customizing the world that they are playing in by allowing the player to adjust sliders to customize traffic and events spawning in the city. This could be useful for players that want to modify their experience when playing Taxi Life allowing them to play how they want. Which at the end of the day, that is up to the player.
We heard players also mention things about the positioning of the camera when in FPP. Sort of like when you are in an actual car, how can you adjust the seat to go back and forth or up and down? Yeah. That's something that we're going to be aiming for here with this one.
And of course, we can't forget the further improvements for steering wheel support regarding models and bug fixes as well.
PATCH 5
Patch 5 will for sure be something that a lot of people will be happy about. Although, we did notice a lot of people saying on socials that Patch 5 should've been patch 1. And to be honest, we wish we were able to do that for the community. But adding the steering wheel support on console takes a lot of time, so it's no an easy task! It's going to take us a bit longer to implement this. That doesn't mean it's not a priority, just that it takes time.
As always, we're taking your feedback and looking for ways to implement them into Taxi Life. So no worries, your voices are being heard and we're working hard.
BONUS CONTENT
We're doing a livestream on Monday April 15th, 2024 on our official Twitch channel. and we're going to be talking about these patch notes, taking in some Q&A from the community and maybe playing the game a little bit with the community and have a good time.
Thanks so much for being part of this amazing community, drivers. You can expect more from Simteract in the coming days/weeks. Stay tuned!
Ens veiem a Barcelona,
Mike Simteract Community Manager
TAXI LIFE ROADMAP
Hello Drivers,
We heard the community wanted a roadmap. So we came here to announce that we heard you.
Check it out and see whats next for Taxi Life:
We encourage you to keep the feedback coming using our official channels that you can find below.
On behalf of all our teams, we want to thank the community for their continued support of Taxi Life.
