The two-person studio behind Cartoon Crime has released another major Early Access update, expanding its open-world crime sandbox with new activities, improved vehicle damage and gameplay refinements.
Independent developer BuBa Games has released Update 10 for Cartoon Crime, its open-world crime sandbox currently available in Early Access on Steam. Released on November 1, 2026, the update introduces eight types of random street events, four repeatable challenges, improved vehicle destruction, a weapon wheel and a new banking system.
Developed by a two-person team based in Istanbul, Turkey, Cartoon Crime combines third-person and top-down gameplay with driving, combat, police pursuits and online co-op. The game runs on the studio’s proprietary C++/OpenGL engine rather than a commercially available engine such as Unity or Unreal Engine.
Speaking directly to Techtroduce, developer Burhan Doygun explained that the latest update focuses on making the game’s world more engaging outside its main missions.
More Activities Across Cartoon Crime’s Open World
Update 10 introduces eight varieties of random street events, including street fights, car accidents, police checkpoints, robberies and street races.
These encounters are designed to give players more activities to discover while freely exploring the city, rather than relying exclusively on structured missions.
Four repeatable challenges have also been added, featuring vehicle destruction, hit-and-run gameplay, police takedowns and katana combat. According to the official patch notes, completing these challenges can award between $5,000 and $7,000 in in-game currency, alongside a permanent 500-point maximum health increase.
Doygun confirmed the team’s intentions in comments provided to Techtroduce:
“Yes, the update is about giving players more to encounter and do while exploring, beyond following the mission chain.”
He added that the new street events and challenges are intended to expand the activities available throughout the city, alongside practical improvements such as banking and quicker weapon selection.
Vehicles Can Now Lose Parts During Crashes
Vehicle destruction is another major component of Update 10. Cars can now lose bumpers, hoods and trunks during collisions, gunfire and melee attacks, adding more visible consequences to driving and combat encounters.
The update also introduces a weapon wheel, allowing players to switch between equipped weapons without cycling through them individually. Players can access the wheel by holding Tab on a keyboard or the designated controller button.
A banking system offers another way to manage money earned through missions and activities. Cash carried by the player is lost upon death, while money deposited in the bank remains protected.
Beyond these additions, BuBa Games has improved roads, traffic routes, map icons and pedestrian navigation. The patch also includes adjustments to basketball controls, chess difficulty settings and the game’s retro-style PS1 visual filter.
Performance work includes reduced CPU overhead, optimised animations, lighter particle effects and improvements to vehicle deformation.
A Two-Person Studio Building Its Own Engine
Cartoon Crime originally entered Steam Early Access on August 26, 2026. Unlike many small independent projects, the game is developed using a custom C++/OpenGL engine maintained by the same two-person team responsible for its gameplay and content.
That arrangement presents significant challenges, particularly for an open-world title combining numerous interconnected gameplay systems.
“The scope is the challenge,” Doygun told Techtroduce.
“We work on the C++/OpenGL engine as well as the game itself, so the same small team has to balance the world, vehicles, missions, co-op and ongoing fixes.”
Despite its limited team size, BuBa Games has continued expanding Cartoon Crime throughout Early Access. Previous updates have introduced online co-op improvements, additional environments, vehicles and gameplay activities.
The game allows players to switch instantly between third-person and top-down camera perspectives, combining more traditional open-world action with a viewpoint reminiscent of classic crime sandbox games.
Players can explore independently or join friends in online co-op, complete missions, recruit bodyguards and interact with numerous locations and activities across the world.
What’s Next for Cartoon Crime?
BuBa Games has not announced a date for Cartoon Crime’s full release or confirmed any additional unannounced features.
Instead, the studio intends to concentrate on improving the existing Early Access experience, particularly bugs, controls, performance and interactions throughout the world.
Doygun confirmed that these refinements remain the team’s immediate focus, with development continuing alongside player feedback.
The studio has also disclosed that generative AI tools assisted with some pre-generated 2D artwork, text editing, localisation and development tasks. According to BuBa Games, the resulting material is reviewed and edited by the developers, and the game does not generate AI content during gameplay.
Cartoon Crime is available now in Early Access for Windows PC through Steam. Update 10 is available to existing players.
Source: Official Cartoon Crime Update 10 patch notes and direct correspondence with BuBa Games developer Burhan Doygun. Gameplay imagery courtesy of BuBa Games.
