Nexon Launches Global Preseason for 'KartRider: Drift'

[Asia Economy Reporter Seungjin Lee] Nexon started global service for its new multiplatform racing game, ‘KartRider: Drift,’ on the 12th.

‘KartRider: Drift’ is the official sequel to the national game ‘KartRider.’ It features 4K UHD graphics, HDR technology, and Dolby Atmos sound to provide a vivid driving experience and immersive gameplay. It also includes a livery (customizing) feature that allows players to freely customize their own kart bodies.

The preseason that began on this day targets global regions including Korea, Japan, and North America (excluding China, Vietnam, and Russia). Players can first compete with users worldwide on PC and mobile (Google Play and App Store), and console support (PS4, Xbox One) will be added after the regular season.

In the ‘KartRider: Drift’ preseason, users can play on a total of 30 tracks, including the original track ‘World Gangnam Street,’ set around the Gangnam Station area. Popular characters representing the ‘KartRider’ IP such as ‘Dao,’ ‘Bazzi,’ and ‘Brody’ can be seen with more refined appearances. Players can also enjoy riding various kart bodies with distinct personalities like ‘Cotton’ and ‘Titan.’

Director Jaeyoon Cho of Nitro Studio said, “We want to continue the history of the ‘KartRider’ IP that we have built together with riders through ‘KartRider: Drift.’ We designed the game so that anyone can enjoy racing without the involvement of probability elements, in line with global standards, and we aim to establish it as a racer-friendly game based on transparency and fairness of information.”

Meanwhile, Nexon is running the ‘Rider Dream Project’ until February 28, offering additional benefits in ‘KartRider: Drift’ to users who have played the original ‘KartRider.’ Anyone who has played the original can apply for ‘Racer Points,’ which can be used later on the ‘KartRider Dream Shop’ page to exchange for ‘KartRider: Drift’ game items or goods.

A branding video commemorating the start of the global preseason was also released on the official YouTube channel. The video conveys the message that the ‘KartRider’ IP, which has run together with 28 million domestic users for 18 years, will continue to race forward without stopping.