NEVER Do (Expert Anti-Patterns)

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.

NEVER use static AI speeds; strictly use Rubber-Banding to keep races competitive based on player distance.
NEVER run AI pathfinding across the entire track every frame; strictly use a "Look-Ahead" point on a spline/path.
NEVER ignore racing Checkpoints; strictly enforce sequential Area3D validation to prevent track shortcuts.
NEVER use standard Area3D for slipstreaming without a Dot Product check to ensure the player is directly behind.

godot-genre-racing