Disney racing game faces delay

A free-to-play Disney racing game has been delayed until 2023, after initially planning to launch this year

Disney Speedstorm features characters, tracks, and vehicles inspired by Disney and Pixar franchises. Picture: Gameloft

Disney Speedstorm, a free-to-play Disney racing game made by Gameloft, has missed its release window and been delayed into 2023, after it initially planned to release this year.

News of the delay came via the game’s official Twitter account, where developer Gameloft shared the news with fans and followers.

“We have decided to delay the worldwide release of Disney Speedstorm to meet our expectations and provide players with a more immersive racing experience, customization offerings, game modes, and more,” the statement reads, “We plan to keep fans up to speed on our progress with regular updates on these features as we head toward launch.”

Disney Speedstorm was first announced during a Nintendo Direct in February, where it showed off fast-paced action racing gameplay with a host of Disney and Pixar characters. The free-to-play game was pegged for a 2022 release, but its developers have been quiet on the topic of release in recent times, and now we know why.

A message from the #DisneySpeedstorm Team:

Read more below ⬇ pic.twitter.com/BCQwgJc0dC

— Disney Speedstorm (@SpeedstormGame) November 30, 2022

The game is being developed by Gameloft, a French mobile games developer that also developed other racing games such as Asphalt 9: Legends. Gameloft is also developing another free-to-play Disney game, a farming game called Disney Dreamlight Valley, which is currently in early access on PC, Switch, PlayStation, and Xbox.

The game is set to include characters, vehicles, and racetracks from a host of Disney properties, including Mickey Mouse, classic films like Beauty and the Beast and Mulan, and live action films like Pirates of the Caribbean. It will also include Pixar characters like Sully from Monsters Inc., but ironically doesn’t seem to be including any characters from the movie Cars.

Disney Speedstorm is a fast-paced action racer with tonnes of customisation and unlockable vehicles. Picture: Gameloft

In other gaming news, a UK start-up has announced that they’re making a video game console for dogs. The Joipaw is a specialised console equipped with a saliva-resistant touchscreen and a treat dispenser with games designed to help dogs with separation anxiety and keep them mentally fit.

And in news a little closer to home, an Australian MP has taken aim at video game loot boxes. Independent Tasmanian MP Andrew Wilkie has introduced a new bill to parliament that would restrict any game with paid random-chance mechanics to buyers aged 18 and above.

Written by Oliver Brandt on behalf of GLHF.