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Overview
The camper van is the central mechanic in Outbound. It is simultaneously the player's vehicle, home, workshop, and farm. Players start with an empty shell and gradually fill it with workstations, storage, gardens, and decorations using the modular building system. Everything in the game ties back to the van in some way.
Layout and interaction
The van has two main access points. A front door opens to the steering wheel for driving. A back hatch lifts up to reveal the Crafting Table, where basic items are assembled. The interior is a free-form space where players place modules on a grid. The roof and exterior walls provide additional building area, and players can build upward to create multi-level structures.
Power
The van runs on renewable energy. Its starting power source is the Bio Burner, which burns biodegradable resources. Feeding it Fibre or Lumber adds 1 unit of energy (about 10% battery). Light Lumber adds 2 units. As players progress, they can replace or supplement the Bio Burner with solar panels, wind turbines, and water generators for fully sustainable power.
Fold-away mechanic
The signature feature of the van is how it handles travel. When the player enters driving mode, all built modules fold into compact boxes attached to the van's frame. When the van parks at a new location, the boxes unfold back into their full configuration. Nothing needs to be dismantled or rebuilt when moving. The entire home travels with the player, collapsing and expanding automatically.
Driving
The van can be driven in both third-person and first-person perspectives. First-person driving puts the player behind the windshield for a more immersive view. In the early game, the van feels slow, described by some demo players as "not much faster than walking." Upgrading the van's power systems and unlocking faster components improves driving speed over time.
Multiplayer
In co-op, all players share the same van. One player drives while others move freely inside, work at stations, tend the garden, or ride on the roof. Changes one player makes to the van appear in real time for everyone.