Pixel Car Racer, a popular mobile racing game, recently received an update aimed at optimizing the game for newer iPhones like the iPhone X. While the intention was good, the update introduced several display issues. Before the update, the game displayed correctly on the iPhone X, utilizing a rectangular display like previous iPhones. However, the “optimized” version attempts to fill the entire elongated, rounded screen, leading to a zoomed-in view and interface problems.
For instance, on the home screen, the iconic yellow RX-7 is partially cut off, and the bottom menu bars are pushed to the very edge of the screen. Navigating to the garage reveals overlapping icons for the steering wheel and house, making them difficult to use. The parts store presents even more significant problems; players are unable to select items displayed on the top of the wall, such as ECUs, cosmetics, brakes, and exhausts. Even the engine swap crate is barely visible, with only the top half of the RB26 engine showing. These issues hinder players from fully enjoying the game’s features and customizing their virtual cars.
These display problems highlight the challenges of optimizing mobile games across different devices and screen sizes. While adapting to newer hardware is essential, it’s crucial to maintain usability and ensure all elements remain accessible. A possible solution would be to implement a scaling option, allowing players to adjust the game’s display to fit their specific screen dimensions properly. This would address the current zoom and clipping issues, restoring full functionality to the interface and allowing players to once again access all game features. Hopefully, the developers will address these optimization issues in future updates, enabling players to continue enjoying Pixel Car Racer’s tuning and racing experience on all devices.