Following on from the success of its KartRider Rush Plus cell adaptation, Nexon has launched a brand new free-to-play addition to the franchise on cell and PC, titled KartRider: Drift.
Obtainable on Steam, Nexon Launcher, the App Retailer and Google Play Retailer, KartRider: Drift follows within the tracks of its 2020 predecessor as a separate, standalone title. Cross-play received’t be featured between the 2 video games.
A sequel to success
The primary KartRider recreation was a Nexon title launched in 2004, beginning out as a South Korean service and localised in China in 2006 earlier than increasing elsewhere.
Far more just lately, KartRider Rush Plus launched in 2020 and raced to 10 million downloads in its first two weeks, beginning out with greater than 50 tracks and 20 karts. Impressed by the unique PC model, the cell title made enhancements to gameplay to merge aggressive features with one thing extra “enjoyable and informal”, Nexon producer Dennis Bernardo instructed us in an interview.
The sport amassed 23 million gamers in simply over a yr.
Nexon’s newest entry within the collection, KartRider: Drift is rendered utilizing Unreal Engine 4 graphics and – maybe extra importantly this time round – has seen its preliminary launch on each PC and cell.
Among the many modes is Time Assault, the place racers purpose for the highest of the leaderboards, and there are after all customisation choices as effectively. Season passes appeared within the earlier entry and are right here once more in KartRider: Drift, iterating on the previous’s success; further karts, characters and emotes are unlockable by way of the Racing Cross, and bonus “premium” challenges accessible to gamers who purchase the Premium Racing Cross.
Whereas KartRider: Drift has seen a simultaneous launch on PC and cell, console releases on PlayStation and Xbox are coming later – someday throughout “Season 1”, though a date is but to be confirmed.
After the launch of KartRider Rush Plus, Nexon skilled its greatest Q2 income thus far (on the time) with a 20 % year-on-year improve, producing $610.4 million. Solely time will inform whether or not KartRider: Drift may have the same influence.