What do you get when you cross Mario Kart with Fall Guys? The answer is apparently Stampede: Racing Royale.
Announced at the PC Gaming Show 2023, Stampede: Racing Royale is a free-to-play kart racer from Sumo Leamington, a newly formed studio made up of racing game veterans that’s part of Sumo Digital.
Blending kart racing with chaotic battle royale, it joins the likes of Disney Speedstorm and LEGO 2K Drive in the current kart racing resurgence.
Chaotic 60-player battle royale racing
Stampede: Racing Royale sees up to 60 players battle each other in chaotic battle royale-style events. Stampede Battles take place in arenas filled with destructive powerups with the aim to be the last player standing.
There will also be standard Stampede Races where the goal is simply to outrun up to 59 opponents on elaborate racetracks. Events play out in three-round eliminator events, culminating in a high-stakes finale.
Karts can also be customised with cosmetic paints and stickers unlocked for winning seasons and limited-time events.
While Stampede Racing Royale is Sumo Leamington’s first title, the main Sumo Digital studio has a rich racing game heritage, having developed Outrun 2006: Coast 2 Coast and Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing Transformed. Sumo Digital also co-developed Hotshot Racing and Forza Horizon 5.
"Racing games have been at the core of Sumo Digital since the company was founded 20 years ago, from Outrun 2006: Coast 2 Coast to the Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing series, and co-development on Forza Horizon 5," says Paul Hollywood, Development Director at Sumo Leamington.
"Sumo Leamington is a new studio filled with veterans of racing game development. Our debut title, Stampede: Racing Royale, proudly adds to Sumo Digital’s heritage with an innovative new take on the karting genre."
Coming to Steam Early Access
There’s no release date yet, but Stampede: Racing Royale is set to arrive on PC via Steam Early Access in 2023. Players can register for Steam Playtests starting in Summer 2023.
With no sign of Mario Kart 9, Stampede: Racing Royale could provide a fresh take on kart racing.
As it’s free to play, it will also be accessible to a wide audience. For now, Stampede: Racing Royale is coming to PC only, but consoles releases will follow after, with platforms to be confirmed.