Disney Celebrates Release Of TRON Run/r With Launch Party

Yesterday developers at both Disney and Sanzaru Games Inc. saw the release of their newest action/racing game, TRON Run/r. To kick off the big day, Disney invited friends, family, and video game enthusiasts to a launch party in DTS Space LA, at the FLOOD Gallery in Los Angeles.

The event showcased the game itself, alongside a chance to try out “fully immersive DTS Headphone:X audio technology.” Attendees were treated to classic arcade games lining the walls of the event, including the original TRON machine Kevin Flynn was sucked into all those years ago.

Initially given an early access on Steam, players responded very positively to the game. Good news is it appears producer and developers stepped it up in between their early access and worldwide launch–the game was greatly improved in graphics, sounds, and gameplay.

Blaze through dynamic circuits, face off against adversaries, and hone your DISC and CYCLE skills on 32 levels. Then, challenge friends to the grueling STREAM program that will test you with endless combinations of modes and levels!

Last night, the game officially launched for PC via Steam (Windows only, sorry Linux and Mac fans!) as well as the digital storefront for Playstation 4. Disney also released an official Launch Trailer this morning–check it out below!

While at the event, I had a chance to play the game, several times. I got hooked.

The game resembles some of those arcade games of old, where you throw quarters at the game while memorizing a pattern. Players have a few options when it comes to what they want to play: a platformer run through in Disc World, a driving portion with Light Cycles, and the STREAM program.

Playing Disc World is straight up addicting. The gameplay is fluid, and once you have the basic pattern memorized, you simply have a blast gliding, jumping, sliding, running on walls, and decimating whatever is in your way by throwing your disk. Riding a light cycle isn’t anything to scoff at either. Players can use their disc to grind for better turns, and (just like all good, nostalgic racing games) rack up more points, thus buying more time.

Almost everything in the game is customizable, from who you play (ie: Tron, Flynn, Quorra, even Yuri) down to the colors of your avatar.

Pattern memorization for both the Disc World, as well as the Light Cycle levels, is imperative. However, when it come to the STREAM program, memorization goes out the window.

A combination of both of the levels, STREAM levels are all randomized, forcing players to rely on impulse and intuition alone. While at the event, I watched three players attempt the STREAM levels, and the longest anyone made it was four minutes–and he worked on the game. Otherwise, everyone lasted a staggering 19 seconds in the STREAM program.

While waiting in line to play, I was lucky enough to chat up Disney producers, who emphasized their goal while creating the game was to produce a fun, interactive experience for both casual gamers and seasoned ones. TRON Run/r is meant to be a game that translates easily on all controllers, and one that can be picked back up after a prolonged time away from the game. Producers do, however, want to offer hardcore fans a challenge–thus, the STREAM program.

The team at Disney was nothing but enthusiastic for players to enjoy their game. They stated we can look forward to future DLC for the STREAM program, and can expect an Xbox One release in the very near future. When asked why there was a delay for Xbox release, the producers stated engine issues as the cheeky culprit, but reassured everyone that the problem will be fixed in a matter a few weeks.

In the meantime, we can readily enjoy TRON Run/r on PC or PS4 for $19.99 USD, with the Ultimate Edition selling for $39.99. Developers are also offering a Season Pass at 33% off (a mere $10) until February 23rd.