This is just one of many examples of beginner users being confused, so they post over on Reddit in search of an answer: https://www.reddit.com/r/TrackMania/comments/nurkrw/where_are_the_settings_for_this_game/

Finding the settings in any game shouldn't be a hard process, especially not to the point where players have to write separate posts about it and having to ask on forums awaiting long times for answer to be able to find the settings bar. Could this process be avoided for new players?

This is just a technical guess, please correct me if I am wrong:
I am assuming this new game is basically running like a ManiaPlanet titlepack. Previously in the ManiaPlanet main menu the top bar is always visible:
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But if you are in a titlepack menu, you have to move your cursor to the top of the screen to pull it down:
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(This example shows the top bar not being visible by default - I'm assuming for a better UX it might benefit everyone if you wouldn't have to move your cursor to show the bar.

I have seen many players unfamiliar with how the game worked go back to MP main menu for their settings, even though they didn't need to... They could've just moved their cursor to the top where they were. They just probably didn't know you could also access the settings ingame/in this titlepack menu where the bar is not visible by default. If it was always visible, maybe it would be easier to spot for players.)

So maybe this is still the case for the new TM, where in its Main Menu, the top bar isn't visible by default, similar to my experiences with MP:
Imagef it was Maybe if it was always visible, even without your current cursor position being up there it could guide some players to the cogwheel icon of the settings.

The person in the Reddit example above also looked under Profile - their logic wouldn't be bad, as in previous TM games like TrackMania Forever, etc., settings pages would be under Profile.

This also goes for finding the volume slider, not only the settings. It's a huge hindrance for players who don't the know how to access the top toolbar compared to players who just happened to find it. Hopefully this might improve their experience, finding the volume sliders quickly and easily when needed.

Same principle applies to smartphones. (just an example image)
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On smartphones you don't always have to pull down to see the top status/notification bar. It's conveniently almost always visible, and I think it should be the same for the main menus!

These are just suggestions and are not meant to be negative comments whatsoever, although others have criticised it already with similar ideas: https://www.reddit.com/r/TrackMania/comments/hnlt5y/comment/fxc3pk4/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3

I just feel bad for some of the new players who just happen to not know because it isn't obvious for them. Thank you!