04 Mar 2025
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Indie racing games have long struggled to find the perfect balance between chaotic fun and competitive depth, but Couch Planes is shaping up to be a standout in the genre. Developed by a small yet dedicated team of four, this aerial racer has been in development for over two years and is already demonstrating an impressive mix of high-speed thrills, technical polish, and multiplayer innovation.
"We have been building the game from the ground up with online play in mind," Ruben Gerlach, one of the developers, told us. "Our game supports any combination of split-screen and online play as well as client-side prediction to minimize input lag."
One of the biggest hurdles for modern indie multiplayer games is seamless online integration, and Couch Planes has tackled this challenge head-on. Whether you’re playing solo, with friends on the couch in split-screen, or racing against players worldwide, the game allows for any combination of local and online players.
Just last month, the team achieved a major milestone—introducing dedicated servers and matchmaking. These additions mark a significant step toward ensuring smooth online experiences, reducing connection issues, and allowing for competitive play at a larger scale. On top of that, the latest update brought performance improvements, enhanced visual effects, and new maps to expand the game’s growing content.
At its core, Couch Planes is all about speed and skill. Players take control of planes and race through visually striking environments, from tight canyon runs to cliffside circuits. The game isn’t just about raw speed, though—power-ups like rocket boosts add a layer of strategy and chaos, making each race unpredictable and exciting.
The emphasis on moment-to-moment control, along with a focus on thrilling aerial maneuvers, makes Couch Planes a game that rewards both casual players and those looking for mastery over their aircraft. While still in early development, the game already promises engaging moment-to-moment gameplay with the potential for high-skill competitive racing.
"While our current focus is content development, our main concern is the current games market and the struggle to get our game to its audience," Ruben Gerlach explained. "We are financed through the development but we are currently looking for a publisher that can take over the marketing and console ports."
This struggle isn’t unique to Couch Planes—it’s a reality many indie developers face. Even with a solid game, finding the right platform, community, and marketing strategy is crucial for success. For fellow developers, this highlights the ongoing challenge of breaking into the industry and navigating the competitive landscape of modern game distribution.
Despite these challenges, Couch Planes is shaping up to be a refreshing take on the racing genre, with a strong multiplayer foundation and exhilarating gameplay. With continued development and the right publishing support, it has the potential to carve out its niche among arcade racing enthusiasts. Whether you’re a game developer interested in the technical aspects of online play or a player looking for your next multiplayer fix, this is one indie title to keep an eye on.
For more updates on Couch Planes, be sure to follow the development team’s social channels as they continue refining their high-flying racer toward a full release.
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