Free-to-play Ridge Racer: Driftopia announced for PC, PS3

Ridge Racer is going free-to-play.

The follow-up to last year’s Ridge Racer: Unbounded is going the micro-transactions route, allowing players to get into the action for free, with the option (or compulsion) of paying for cars, boosters, repairs, etc.

"At Namco Bandai Games, we are committed to embracing new business models alongside the still vital traditional retail sector. Free-to-play is playing an increasingly important role, so it’s very exciting to be bringing one of our most successful franchises to the free-to-play space for everyone to enjoy," Namco Bandai Europe’s Olivier Comte said.

The game will take place in Shatter Bay, the same location as last year’s Ridge Racer: Unbounded, with Bugbear once again developing.

Driftopia is not to be mistaken with Bugbear’s PC/next-gen project though, which is currently just called ‘New Car Game’ and bears a striking resemblance to the studios FlatOut games.

Ridge Racer: Driftopia is set for release on PC and PS3 sometime later this year.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mnmeo3aOpzg

Sign up for the free MCV India newsletterhere.