Rec Room has long been a hub of vibrant, first-party adventures, welcoming both friends and newcomers to its engaging social VR space. The platform’s newest release, ‘Run the Block,’ is shaking things up with a concept inspired by the Dreamcast classic, Jet Set Radio, launched back in 2000.
Coming to life on December 11th, ‘Run the Block’ has already caught the attention of over a million players, bringing them together in a thrilling multiplayer mini-game. Just like Jet Set Radio, this game throws you into a competition with up to nine players, challenging you to stylishly race and parkour through a lively cityscape.
Although you won’t find the retro rollerblades from the early 2000s here, you’ll be sprinting, jumping, and grinding along extensive tracks that weave across the map. Plus, the urban playground gives you the chance to leave your mark with your own graffiti tags.
In comparison to previous years, Rec Room has been somewhat reserved with new first-party releases recently, its last major hit being the pet farming simulator ‘My Little Monster.’ Nonetheless, the platform hasn’t been idle. It’s been bustling with the introduction of branded content like avatar packs from the ‘Monster High’ series and elements from Bungie’s renowned shooter, Destiny. The focus this year seems to be on enhancing their creator suite, empowering users to craft intricate worlds and marketable assets within the game’s creator economy. A highlight was the introduction of full-body avatars earlier this year, expanding avenues for personalization.
The recent arrival of Rec Room on the Nintendo Switch in November adds to its impressive roster of supported devices, which includes PC VR setups, all Quest devices, the first-generation PSVR, and mobile versions for iOS and Android, alongside Pico, Xbox, and PlayStation.
