The team behind Raijin Protocol, an on-chain player-versus-player jet combat game built on the Neo X sidechain, has published its second video-based development update. The update highlights technical progress across multiple systems, building on the team’s initial roadmap following its successful GrantShares funding proposal in Dec. 2025.

The GrantShares DAO approved Raijin Protocol’s request for 4,400 GAS to support development of the next-generation arcade-style flight combat experience. The latest update showcases the work completed across four main areas: vehicle physics, control surfaces, mechanical animation, and UI design.

Core physics and vehicle movement

The team opened the update by outlining foundational work, beginning with a wheeled vehicle blueprint system, the game now supports smooth transitions between ground-based and aerial states. Arcade-style movement logic includes thrust scaling, braking systems, and accessible steering input, while physics systems incorporate aeronautical mechanics such as lift generation and forward propulsion.

Visual fidelity has also been enhanced with real-time thrust effects and wheel-specific animation systems.

Responsive flight controls

The update also focused on three-dimensional aircraft responsiveness, linking player input directly to jet control surfaces through Unreal Engine’s modify bone logic. Elevators and rudders now react dynamically to pitch, roll, and yaw commands. A “fin trap” system smooths transitions between mechanical states, reducing snapping and enhancing cinematic motion.

Mechanical animation systems

Raijin Protocol’s developers added realism to aircraft operations by implementing hydraulic landing gear systems with articulated joint movement, timed animations for gear doors, and high-fidelity deformation logic during takeoff and landing sequences.

Custom rotation logic enables the aircraft mesh to reflect high-stress conditions and dynamic flight states, enhancing realism and immersion.

User interface and HUD integration

The final portion of the update showcased progress on player interaction. A core heads-up display system was built using widget blueprints, with animated throttle indicators, live thrust and speed metrics, and a modular UI framework to support future gameplay elements.

Next steps

According to the development team, the jet is now equipped with a complete set of base systems, including grounded-to-flight transition physics, animated mechanical features, responsive control surfaces, and an interactive HUD. These components serve as the groundwork for upcoming systems such as AI, combat mechanics, and advanced avionics.

Future updates will expand on these features as Raijin Protocol continues its build-out on Neo X.

The full announcement can be found at the link below:
https://x.com/GameShameio/status/2018752449650323666