Rec Room is a vibrant space offering an array of first-party adventures perfect for teaming up with friends or jumping in with new faces. The latest buzz is all about ‘Run the Block,’ a fresh addition that definitely channels the vibe of Jet Set Radio, the Dreamcast classic that made waves back in 2000.
When ‘Run the Block’ hit the scene on December 11th, it quickly grabbed attention, reeling in over a million players. In this free-to-play mini-game, you’re thrown into a fast-paced race alongside up to nine other players. The thrill lies in artfully maneuvering through a sprawling urban landscape reminiscent of classic street racing games.
Though you won’t find the 2000s quintessential rollerblades here, the action keeps rolling as you sprint, leap, and grind across giant rails forming a spider web throughout the map. And just like in the graffiti-laden streets of Jet Set Radio, you get the chance to leave your mark with personalized tags in this cityscape.
This year, Rec Room hasn’t been as prolific with its first-party game releases compared to previous times, with ‘My Little Monster’—a whimsical pet farming simulator—being its other significant recent launch.
Apart from that, Rec Room has made strides by integrating notable branded content. There have been exciting releases like avatar packs from ‘Monster High’ and elements from Bungie’s shooter game Destiny. What’s impressive is Rec Room’s relentless dedication to enhancing its creator toolkit. This allows users not only to build intricate worlds but also to create and sell their own assets within the platform, boosting its creator economy. Plus, earlier this year, they introduced full-body avatars, providing even more room to express yourself in-game.
The platform’s reach expanded with its debut on the Nintendo Switch in November, adding to its impressive lineup of supported devices. You can enjoy Rec Room across platforms like PC VR, all Quest headsets, the original PSVR, iOS, Android, Pico, Xbox, and PlayStation, ensuring gamers have a way to jump into the fun on almost any device they choose.