Disney Speedstorm exits early access in September 2023

Disney Speedstorm is going free-to-play just months after it launched in early access.
disney speedstorm early access launch april 2023

Disney Speedstorm is set to launch for everyone on 28 September 2023, after only a brief time in early access. The game was launched in a paid testing phase in April 2023, with multiple support tiers costing between US $29.99 and US $69.99. While those who purchased the game will retain the benefits of early access, including unlocked characters, credits, and tokens, the floodgates will now be opened for wider competition.

Per developer Gameloft, the decision to end early access was made to ‘allow for more players to share in a fully robust competitive and co-op racing experience’ with easily-accessible gameplay hopefully boosting racer numbers.

‘Since the launch of Early Access, we’ve received invaluable feedback and support from our incredible community of players, who have been instrumental to the improvements made during Early Access,’ the studio said on social media.

Original Founder’s Packs will remain live until the official game launch, although potential buyers should note content available in these packs can eventually be earned in gameplay.

Read: Disney Speedstorm sets early access launch for April 2023

When newer players join Disney Speedstorm, they’ll have the opportunity to play through a number of Disney-themed races, with points earned in victory able to be spent on unlocking characters, cosmetics, and other in-game rewards.

So far, the game’s character roster includes a number of Disney and Pixar favourites, including: Mike Wazowski, Sully, Mulan, Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck, Baloo, Belle, Mowgli, Megara, Hercules, Beast, Goofy, Figment, Woody, Buzz Lightyear, and Jesse. Elizabeth Swann and Jack Sparrow from Pirates of the Caribbean are also included.

As the game exits early access, players can expect a raft of new unlockable characters. Gameloft will likely have more to say about the seasonal, free-to-play structure of Disney Speedstorm ahead of its launch for PC and consoles on 28 September 2023.

Leah J. Williams is a gaming and entertainment journalist who's spent years writing about the games industry, her love for The Sims 2 on Nintendo DS and every piece of weird history she knows. You can find her tweeting @legenette most days.