
Steam news
Full Steam announcements and update articles for this title.
We've rolled out a new update for the Marina Bay level in Liftoff! This patch includes a variety of tweaks and fixes to improve the level gameplay, smooth out the experience, and address several reported issues.
Thanks for all your feedback, it helps us keep making Liftoff better. See you in the skies!
Small fixes cruiseship (normal maps, small boats rotation)
Open gates tennis courts
Fixed reflections on cars, improved impostors
Fixed out of focus drone in race finish screen
Fixed missing fountain gate on Middle Island
Fixed Marina bay description
Fixed Track editor possible to move out of bounds and get stuck
Fixed dark drone selection screen in Marina bay
Tweaked LOD distances several objects that popped in too soon
Added wind to foliage (trees and shrubs)
Fixed missing collision on Planters palmtrees
Switch signs repair and battery zone in MarinaBay track 01, slightly adjust position battery zone in Marina track 05
Fixed Marina triangular sun cloths material resets (they now have a variation of colors)
Having just released one of our biggest and most popular updates with Marina Bay, the obvious question is: what's next for Liftoff?
For more than a year, we've been working toward what we internally call Liftoff 2.0. It's not a new game, but rather a symbolic milestone for the project. Over Liftoff's ten-year lifespan, virtually every piece of code and content has been reworked.
While we're not presenting this as Liftoff 2, the reality is that the simulator you purchased in 2015 no longer exists. Not a line of code left untouched. What you're playing today is, in many ways, what we would have considered a true sequel back then.
Liftoff 2.0 has never been a single, clearly defined release. Instead, it's been an ongoing process that you've already experienced through many of our updates over the past few years. We're now approaching the point where this era of Liftoff is coming to a close, allowing us to start looking ahead at what comes next for the project.
We're not quite there yet, though. This blog post is meant to give you an inside look at what's still left on our Liftoff 2.0 to-do list before we reach that milestone.
We're not just adding new levels to Liftoff, we're also giving some of our older (yes, 10-year-old!) maps a well-deserved makeover. Over the past few years you've already seen refreshed versions of Liftoff Arena, Hangar C03, and most recently, Bando City.
Next up is Permafrost. It's one of our favorite environments: huge, beautiful, and packed with things to explore. Its biggest weakness, however, is that everything tends to look the same, making it easy to lose your bearings and miss content.
To fix that, we're replacing part of the forest with a fjord featuring a scenic coastline, navigable icebergs, and a brand-new shipwreck to explore. The result is a cooler-looking map (literally), stronger visual landmarks, denser points of interest, and even a small performance boost. We expect this update to land later this summer, bringing some much-welcomed freezy refreshment ;) We hope to release the Permafrost update next month.
The moment you launch Liftoff you’re currently greeted by a UI that still reflects its 2015 origins. Very soon, that will change, as we introduce a more modern visual style, the biggest update to the first impression of Liftoff in a long time.
That said, there’s no need to worry. The current UI has been a reliable workhorse for over 10 years, and we know many of you can navigate it with your eyes closed. That familiarity is staying exactly as it is. Everything remains in place, and you’ll still find all features right where you expect them.
This revamp is first and foremost a visual refresh, but it also brings a few quality-of-life improvements. The interface will be easier to read thanks to stronger contrast between content and framing, and more consistency across the entire project. We’re also adding small but meaningful tweaks, including improved loading behaviour, subtle UI customization options, and a redesigned track builder interface that finally matches the rest of the experience. We’re planning to roll out an Experimental Branch this summer, featuring the new UI and an updated track builder.
One of the last major parts of Liftoff that still reflects its original implementation is the track builder. Over the past two years, we've been developing an entirely new system that's both more powerful and much easier to use.
Players of Liftoff: Micro Drones have already had a chance to experience the results of this work. Last summer, we introduced the new track builder there, where it has already proven its flexibility and ease of use.
We're now preparing to bring those same tools to classic Liftoff, replacing one of the oldest remaining systems in the simulator with a modern, far more capable editor. Want a preview of what that Like? Go try it in Liftoff: Micro Drones now!
And yes, even more is inbound. At this point, “Liftoff simulators” is just code for “we’ve lost control, but in a fun way.”
We recently got hit with the ultimate existential question: What has kept the Liftoff passion alive after a whole decade?
Spoiler alert: It’s not actually the drones. (Gasps from the audience, we know). It’s you guys. Honestly, knowing there’s a passionate community waiting on the edge of their seats for our next update is what keeps the lights on and the code flying. To prove it, just days after the Marina Bay launch, the entire team crammed behind a single laptop screen to binge-watch your latest community videos. It's our favorite post-release tradition.
We’re so hyped about your content that we had to share it. Check out these awesome videos below, and trust us, the internet is packed with plenty more! Joshua Bardwell
Thank you for these awesome videos!
Sun-soaked, vibrant, and packed with iconic FPV opportunities, Marina Bay isn't just another Liftoff level, it's the ultimate FPV destination. A tropical city built for speed, style, and the kind of flights you'll want to replay again and again.
Added: Marina Bay environment.
Added: Five new official tracks and races.
Updated: The chat input field now disengages when a flight axis is deflected more than 75%. This allows you to start flying again without clicking outside of the chat window.
Updated: Internal file structures to decrease the total Liftoff install size and more efficient memory usage.
Updated: The Report a Problem window now requires an email address to send a report.
Fixed: The button setup menu now properly shows the labels of the buttons and axes for bound actions to your controller inputs.
Fixed: Loading the DJI FPV drone configuration from the DLC bundle.
Fixed: issue with motion blur effect.
Fixed: Several small memory issues that could cause hitches in framerate.
Fixed: Some Night Fever environments would behave differently with menu input.
Fixed: Sharing updates to tracks and races on the Steam Workshop. The sharing process would stall indefinitely.
Fixed: Copying drone setups from leaderboards and other players in multiplayer.
Fixed: A drone statistics warning would not display properly when viewing a drone setup in a tournament leaderboard.
Fixed: Starting a replay from a Knockout Tournament leaderboard.
Fixed: The Flight Controller Settings and Drone Selection menu's were available while watching a tournament replay.
Fixed: A text issue in the onboarding process.
Fixed: Rewinding while being out of the environment bounds would not properly reset the drone when the timer ran out.
Fixed: Signing up for a Liftoff Pro account without a properly formatted email address.
Note: A heartfelt thank you to everyone who helped test this level and shared their fantastic feedback with us over the past few weeks. Your support and insights have been greatly appreciated.
This new Liftoff experience has been in development for more than a year, aiming to deliver the ultimate FPV sim level. Every aspect has been carefully designed, tested, and refined multiple times to get it just right.
Freestyle For Marina Bay, we focused on creating a freestyle playground with endless possibilities. Every skyscraper, rooftop garden, waterfront section, boulevard, and monorail route was carefully placed to create natural flow and encourage exploration. The map was designed around interconnected lines, smooth transfers, and dramatic elevation changes, combining extreme verticality with open sightlines to deliver a uniquely rewarding FPV experience. Racing
Marina Bay was designed with racing in mind from the very beginning. The city layout naturally supports technical gate placement, high-speed waterfront sections, rooftop transitions, and dramatic tower dives, with water canals that flow naturally through the environment and help shape dynamic race lines. By combining diverse districts with strong route connectivity, we aimed to create a level that supports everything from competitive circuits to creative custom race tracks.
Sometimes the best upgrades don’t make a big entrance, they just quietly make everything better. This update is full of those small-but-satisfying improvements.
The big highlight: Steam Cloud support (Yes, the one you’ve been asking about, we heard you 😉). Your drone setups, track creations, and personal records are now safely stored in the cloud. You can pick up right where you left off, whether you’re switching rigs or dusting off your sticks after a “strategic break.”
Added Steam Cloud support
Added 'Report a Problem' to the main menu and pause menu. If you run into a technical problem in Liftoff, you can now immediately send a technical report along with the log files.
Updated: Your custom content e.g., tracks, races, drone setups, input configurations, personal times, etc. are no longer stored within in Liftoff's install directory. Instead, they're now stored in the following locations:
Windows: %USERPROFILE%\\AppData\\LocalLow\\LuGus Studios\\Liftoff
Mac: ~/Library/Application Support/LuGus Studios/Liftoff
Linux: ~/.config/unity3d/LuGus Studios/Liftoff
Fixed: Quick Rates curve
Fixed: Propeller audio was audible for an instant when an environment was being loaded
Fixed: A thrust clamping issue where some low-throttle effects weren't being applied correctly
Fixed: The race timer keeps going in race when resetting the drone right before passing the first gate
Fixed: The 'share' button being disabled. Note: this button used to check whether you have accepted the Steam Workshop EULA. This check is now disabled on the Liftoff-side due to backend changes on Steam not functioning properly. It's still possible your content might not be set public by default if you haven't accepted the latest Workshop EULA
Fixed: Controller connected/disconnected popup being off-position
Fixed: Several in-game UI elements being on top of pause menu elements, obstructing their use
Fixed: The dark overlay in popups not always being scaled correctly, leaving parts of the background exposed
Fixed: The 'reset' button was visible and usable during tournament replays, allowing you to fly your drone while a recording was playing
Fixed: The reported player count in a multiplayer game is now correct. This enables correctly triggering the multiplayer achievements again.
Fixed: Issue with the graphics options menu not showing the correct settings when opening it in the pause menu
Now, your custom drone setups, tracks, races, custom HUD layouts and personal records are stored in Steam Cloud. Switching between systems should no longer require you to copy and paste files. Note: input configurations are only sync'ed between compatible platforms e.g., Windows to Windows machines. For example Windows to Linux is not supported due to the difference in reported layout of controllers between platforms. WOULD YOU LIKE TO KNOW MORE?
Your existing remote controller calibration will likely not work anymore. Upon starting Liftoff v1.7.2, you should go to the controller calibration menu and re-calibrate your remote controller.
This will also include any actions you may have bound to buttons on your remote controller such as 'Reset', 'Arm', etc.
We've received some report that other issues might occur after this update, regarding throttle. While we're working to fix this, you can temporarily revert to the previous version while we work on a fix by following the next steps:
Navigate to your Library in Steam and right-click ‘Liftoff’
Navigate to ‘Properties’
Navigate to ‘Game Versions & Betas’
Select the liftoff_1.7.1 version
"so i have reached over the 5000hrs on Liftoff and still my favourite sim of all time.." the conversation started. Then came the question: “Would it be possible to include my design in Liftoff?”
Our answer: “Yes. Let’s make it happen!” Meet the Hell Cat! Created by Fly D.Signs and designed by FPV Fly. Born in the depths of Hell through fire and brimstone, the Hell Cat was built with a single purpose: to fly. And it shows. This part brings a bold new feel to your setup, offering a unique balance of style and capability for those ready to push things further. You can check out the real version here.
It’s ready and waiting for you in-game. Take it for a spin and see what it can do!
“We’ll support Liftoff as long as there’s a community.” we declared when we first launched Liftoff on Steam.
Well… you absolute legends never left. It’s been over 10 years. Ten. A whole decade. Some of you learned to solder, crashed 40,000 virtual quads, and possibly grew actual children in that time.
Today we just broke our concurrent player numbers for Liftoff!
No wonder, 20,000 new pilots joined in 2026 already (and its only February 🤯)
At this rate, we’ll be pushing updates from a retirement home:
“Patch 86.7.4 is live. Please excuse the delay, bingo night ran long.”
Seriously though, thank you for sticking with us. To celebrate we have some eye-candy for you!
Marina Bay is moving into its optimisation phase, the content phase is officially complete
This is our next true Liftoff level, and it’s a big one: towering skyscrapers, winding canals, boats, metro lines, hotels, and dense city blocks layered with flyable space. Because of that scale and complexity, it’s been in production for a long while.
Now comes optimisation, making sure everything runs as smoothly as it looks. That takes a bit more time, but we’re getting close. Hard to say exactly when it’s done… but not too long anymore.
It’s here, a new milestone for Liftoff: FPV Drone Racing.
For many of you, this won’t come as a surprise. All of the features in this update have been available on the Experimental Branch for the past few months. Thanks to your invaluable feedback, and the overwhelmingly positive response, we’ve been able to fine-tune what this milestone truly represents.
This update brings:
Physics 6.0 – the most accurate FPV physics on the market Not replicated, actually simulated
Complex wind simulation, including realistic and dynamic wind effects
Real-world hardware constraints that meaningfully impact flight behavior
A wide range of bug fixes and improvements
Physics 6.0
Improved drag system
Improved propeller aerodynamics
Realistic motor power limits: Drone setups with an unrealistic battery and motor combination are now limited in their power.
Updated internal statistics of motors and batteries to better reflect their actual performance.
Drone setups that have their power reduced will now see a warning message during the drone selection and in the drone editor.
Added new OSD editor elements related to the battery: Current, milliAmpHour drawn, and Voltage per cell.
Added Wind simulation to the game options.
Only available in single player Free Flight
Added 5 different wind presets with varying winds speeds and behavior
Wind can be visualized using the F10 key on your keyboard
Introducing Lens FX to the graphics options
Added several lens presets
Added options to enable or disable the letterbox effect
Soft reset of the leaderboards. All leaderboard up until now have been archived under the 'Legacy - Physics 5.0' dropdown option.
Fixed small memory allocation issue in The Drawing Board environment
Fixed issue in the race editor, where creating a new race would not properly close the window
Fixed issue with fixed drone setups in multiplayer, where a player could get soft-locked in the drone selection window
Fixed excessive logging in some environments due to colliders having a negative scale -- this may positively impact loading times
Fixed auto-input issue when opening the pause menu in some environments, where the selected button would constantly scroll down
New physics bring new competitive opportunities.
To keep things fair and ensure everyone is flying on the same playing field, we’ve reset the leaderboards.
Don’t worry, your previous records haven’t been lost. All existing times are preserved in-game as Legacy Times, so your perfect runs (and bragging rights) live on forever.
We’re excited to move the community forward on the new physics iteration and enjoy the results of months of development and feedback together. Teamwork makes the dream work.
That said, if you’re still adjusting to the new physics (you’ve got this 💪), or in the middle of a training program that requires consistency. We’ve got you covered.
Physics 5.0 will remain accessible for a limited time via a dedicated branch (instructions below).
To fly multiplayer or participate in competitions, simply switch back to the latest public Physics 6.0 version at any time.
Open Steam
Go to your Library
Right-click Liftoff → Properties
Open the Game Versions & Betas tab
Select liftoff_physics5.0 from the dropdown
Close the window and let Liftoff update
That’s it!
Last night, something incredible happened: we, the Liftoff team and every single one of you in this community, were honoured with the Best Tech Provider award at the Belgian Game Awards.
To say we’re grateful doesn’t even come close. In a rapidly growing industry filled with amazing studios and brilliant creators, being recognized like this is deeply humbling. And we know, without question, that this moment exists because of you.Your support over the years, your reviews, videos, posts, feedback, and enthusiasm, has carried us further than we ever thought possible. You’ve opened doors for Liftoff that we could never have opened alone.Because of you, the technology behind Liftoff is now being used in places we once only dreamed of:tools contributing to a NASA project,
versions of Liftoff designed to teach STEM competencies to students.
and much more!
Over the last few weeks, we’ve received incredible feedback on our new Physics 6.0 development from a group of dedicated testers on the Liftoff Discord, each generously giving us their time and committing to honest, critical feedback.
Now its your turn! The first iteration of Physics 6.0 is now available for everyone to test on our (optional) Experimental Branch. The Experimental Branch lets us test major physics updates and other features while they’re still in development. Because these changes can greatly impact Liftoff, we invite players to try them early and share feedback.
To get access to the Experimental Branch you have to change some “Properties” settings on Steam. To do this, follow these steps:
Right click on “Liftoff: FPV Drone Racing” in your Steam Library
Click “Properties”
In the “Properties” menu, click the “BETAS” tab
Select “Experimental Branch” in the dropdown menu
Happy testing!
In order to switch back to the normal version of Liftoff, follow the same instructions, but instead of selecting “Experimental Branch” in the last step, select “NONE - Opt out of all beta programs”.
A huge thank-you to our test team: Samarth HS, Mara Huldra, Lex FPV, Harry, GoogleCheese, Ian, Aitchkay, Eamon Keating, Fussel, Sander, AMPW, Brett Crouch, Karel.zone, Fotis Ntimeris, GJ99_FPV, Quark | Emilio, Dapaca, D3C4Y, CrashAirlines, guntis.laurins, Andere Tom, Delagone, Jean-Jacques Du Caque, DAnke, Betelgeuze.
And of course: thank you as well for joining them in testing our public Experimental Branch Physics 6.0.
Liftoff’s technology framework has reshaped how FPV flight is simulated. Instead of scripting how a drone should fly, like most simulators do, Liftoff actually replicates it. Every element of a real drone is simulated: the virtual LiPo powering the motors, the propellers generating lift, and the frame defined by real-world dimensions, drag, and weight.
Learn more about Liftoff's simulated systemsIn that sense, Liftoff isn’t just a drone simulator, it’s a LiPo simulator, a motor simulator, a frame simulator, a flight controller simulator, and more. All these systems work together to create the drone you fly virtually. What pilots feel in Liftoff is the result of these intricate layers of simulation coming to life. However no simulation is ever perfect and with todays announcement we are excited to share with you how in the coming months we will introduce the next evolution in FPV simulation with Liftoff Physics 6.0 Liftoff Physics 6.0 doesn’t just refine existing parts of our simulation, it introduces new layers that influence how flight feels, not just how it behaves.
Here’s some of the things we have refined for Liftoff Physics 6.0:
Full drag system rework We’ve rebuilt how drag is calculated to deliver more realistic free-fall and top speeds, without compromising flight control or cornering performance. Drones will now feel more grounded and less “floaty.”
Refined propeller aerodynamics Propellers now play a bigger role in how drones handle crosswinds and turns. More blades create more drag, but also more “grip” through corners, resulting in a sharper, more responsive flying experience.
Realistic motor power limits Some of the fastest setups in Liftoff combined high KV motors with oversized props, pushing beyond real-world performance. We’re refining these configurations for greater realism, without invalidating any workshop drones, by calculating the point at which they go over the maximum power limits of their motors and then dialling them back as such. Each setup now respects realistic motor power limits, ensuring fairer and more authentic competition on the leaderboards.
In the early days of Liftoff’s physics, progress came in leaps, every tweak brought dramatic improvements. But the closer you get to realism, the harder each step becomes. Refinement shifts from bold innovation to subtle perfection, where even the smallest adjustments demand immense effort.
At that stage, progress isn’t about chasing big changes, it’s about capturing the invisible details that make something feel real, where the difference between 99% and 100% becomes the hardest part to achieve. That’s why we asked ourselves the important question: beyond flight physics what aspects that influence the flight feel are still missing in Liftoff?
Wind simulation
Over the past few months, we’ve developed a sophisticated wind simulation that goes far beyond a simple, linear force. It features variable strength, turbulence, shifting directions, and, most importantly, a dynamic system that interacts with the world around your drone. Wind flows realistically through the terrain, just like your drone does. Flying behind a building can shield you from the gusts, or throw you into a zone of wild turbulence. It’s not just simulating wind in a dynamic environment, we also apply this force to the pilot’s drone as Wind-Relative Drag and Asymmetric Propeller Loading.
Beyond authenticity, we designed this real-time wind system to be efficient, so it won’t strain your computer’s performance. Even better, it’s fully adjustable on the fly, giving you complete control over wind direction and strength.
Lens FX
Introducing a new optional lens effect that adds realistic distortion to Liftoff, mimicking the subtle warping and curvature of real FPV cameras. This not only enhances visual immersion but also changes how you perceive and react to your flight in the simulator.
We can talk all we want and dress it up with the finest physics jargon, but in the end, our words mean nothing without your approval. You, the Liftoff pilots, now over a million strong, are our ultimate validation.
In the coming months, we’ll test every announced change together with our community through an experimental branch. Only when each update is confirmed to be a true improvement will we roll out Physics 6.0 to the main simulator. Its release date will depend entirely on the outcome of this testing campaign. We’ll be running our tests through the Liftoff Discord channel, creating a direct line between developers and players. Want to help out? Join us on Discord! Liftoff Discord
Over the years, we’ve teamed up with some of the coolest brands in the drone world to bring iconic FPV machines to Liftoff. And while that list keeps growing, every now and then, something awesome pops up right under our noses!
Recently, longtime community legend Lex from Xistence Innovation has been sharing their latest drone frame design on our Discord, and wow, the creativity and passion blew us away.
So, we decided it deserves a spot in the ever-expanding Liftoff fleet.
Say hello to the Cinegon!
It’s so awesome, it deserves a changelist all for itself!
Added the Cinegon frame
Hear ye, daring pilots! As the moon rises and shadows stir, an epic Halloween challenge awaits! Hunt down every pumpkin and claim their hidden treasures to unlock the “Trick or Treat” achievement!
Haunt me or flaunt me,
I’ll still pull through,
just charge me a LiPo or two.
Take up the quest in true style with the legendary Halloween Talon skin, and let your eerie glow light up the skies. Fly bold and fly fearless! 🎃
This update improves stability, security, and multiplayer reliability.
Updated Unity game engine to mitigate a code execution vulnerability,
Updated the conditions for a player to start in a multiplayer game to be less strict e.g., not having to wait until all players have selected their drone, or that their avatar is loaded in,
Fixed issue when attempting to share a custom OSD Layout,
Fixed issue where the lighting in the main menu didn't display correctly on lower graphics settings,
Fixed several multiplayer issues where it could freeze the loading of the game,
Fixed issue in the multiplayer leaderboards being viewed in-game, where it wouldn't scroll to the player's personal entry,
Fixed issue with starting a multiplayer session where there could be a version mismatch when a track creator recently updated their custom tracks or races,
Fixed issue with the Steam Friends block list not being used properly in Liftoff to ward blocked players from entering your session,
Fixed issue with personal race ghosts and tournament ghosts not properly finishing their last lap,
Fixed a performance issue which could cause a framerate spike when flying through a checkpoint and the race guides were visible,
Fixed an input issue in the main menu and pause menu where input would constantly scroll the selected item up or down
Fixed a rounding issue of the display of times in multiplayer
Some time ago, we shared our vision of Liftoff evolving from a simulator we build for you into one you can completely shape yourself. Today, we’re taking another step toward that future with the launch of the OSD Editor.
Added OSD editor tool,
Added a 'friend' icon on the leaderboards to highlight the scores of pilots you're friends with on Steam,
Added a 'Delete Record' button for pilots to delete their record on a leaderboard,
Updated the leaderboards where clicking on your personal entry will make it scroll to that entry on the leaderboard,
Fixed issue in multiplayer where returning to the game lobby from a race score screen will put you back in that result screen when coming back from the game lobby
Now you decide how your On-Screen Display looks and feels: pick the elements you need, choose their colors, and place them wherever you like. Go for a razor-sharp pro racer setup or unleash something totally off-the-wall.
And here’s where it gets fun: every layout can be shared on the Steam Workshop.
That means you won’t just be downloading cool ideas, you’ll probably stumble across some of the most brilliant, ridiculous, and downright unhinged layouts you never knew you needed. How it works:
Witness the return of Lughnasadh, the ancient Celtic festival of harvest, reborn with reverence and ritual. As August begins, we pay tribute to the god Lugus through tradition, challenge, and the rhythm of the reaping. Blades spinning A solemn cutting of the first of the corn An offering is made Venture forth during the LuGus festival event and undertake the daring quest to locate and activate all LuGus cubes within a single environment. By conquering this challenge, you'll unlock the coveted "LuGus Fest" achievement. Let's celebrate!
Nothing special, a few quick fixes and a small teaser ;)
Fixed issue where monthly leaderboards weren't updated if an all-time best score was already set which is better than the new monthly score.
Fixed issue in the multiplayer game lobby, where it wasn't possible to copy another player's drone when viewing their details.
Fixed audio issue in multiplayer, where sound would be too quiet when multiplayer game settings were changed, and the pause menu was still active.
Fixed issue where the leaderboards weren't showing the scores properly on resolutions higher than 1080p.
Added bots for the three official races in Rustline.
Ever since Liftoff first took flight, there’s always been a “next level” in the making, and we’re thrilled to share a sneak peek of what’s coming next: Marina Bay!
It’s shaping up to be something really special, and while we know one of your top questions is “When is it coming?”, we’re not quite there yet. Marina Bay is an ambitious level were building from scratch ourselves, and it still needs a few more months in the oven. But don’t worry, we’ll keep you updated as soon as we have a clearer timeline. Until then, we appreciate your patience and excitement.
About
This page aggregates Steam news feeds, patch notes, and developer announcements for Liftoff®: FPV Drone Racing, sourced from official Steam community posts.
Major updates, balance changes, and seasonal events often correlate with player-count spikes — cross-reference announcements here with the live charts on the main Liftoff®: FPV Drone Racing statistics page.
Articles link back to Steam for full changelogs. SteamScope refreshes news entries as new posts are published to the game's Steam hub.