EA and Firemonkeys' Real Racing 3 is set to be released later this month, though it is currently available for download in some international App Stores as part of a soft launch to test the system. The game, which is the highly anticipated followup to Real Racing 2, features real cars, photorealistic tracks, online time-shifted multiplayer, and impressively accurate physics.

RR3_LaunchScreenshots_iPhone5_suzuka
Unlike previous titles in the series, Real Racing 3 will be free to play. Our sister site TouchArcade explains the freemium mechanics:

There are two currencies in the game, the first of which is a general dollar currency that is dished out pretty liberally during the normal course of play. The amount earned feels tuned just like pretty much any other racing game, giving you enough to purchase upgrades, make repairs, and buy better vehicles as you naturally progress through the massive campaign.

The freemium catch is that all of those actions – repairs, upgrades and new cars – are set to varying levels of cooldown timers, the length of which are determined by what exactly you’re trying to do.

Essentially, after completing races, gamers will be subjected to a short wait before being able to race again when repairs are required. Wait times are also required when installing upgrades and unlocking additional vehicles, and these wait times will increase as the game progresses. TA mentions that wait times are worse when the game first begins as you're limited to one car, and points out that you can continue racing without making repairs, though damage may impact performance.

To alleviate wait times, players are encouraged to purchase gold coins. Coins are bought in the app, but can also be earned through gameplay. Many fans of the series are upset with the newly implemented freemium mechanics because previous games were not freemium titles.

TouchArcade has posted a hands-on video of Real Racing 3 with designer Ptolemy Oberin showing off the gameplay and the realistic visuals.


Real Racing 3 is currently available for download in the Australia, New Zealand, and Canada App Stores. It is slated to be released in the U.S. App Store on February 28. [iTunes Link]

Top Rated Comments

tann Avatar
145 months ago
I love that freemium games exist, but I would also love the option to just essentially buy the game 'outright' as well (say for what they usually charge for the title - $5 or so).

Then people who don't mind cooldowns or whatever can play, people who occasionally buy gold coins can pay occasionally, and the hardcore can just pay a larger fee up front to get everything.

Maybe even $10!
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Feed Me Avatar
145 months ago
... freemium...

Dropped like a rock.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
50548 Avatar
145 months ago
Dropped like a rock.

Yet another terrible move by EA.

In fact, it's about time Apple revamps its search engine to allow for NON-FREEMIUM or NON-IN-APP PURCHASE APPS...I hate paying for something just to discover that it's not the full app.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
0815 Avatar
145 months ago
I was actually looking forward to this game - I have all the other real racing games on iPad/iPhone/iMac .... BUT this freemium stuff turns me off. Adding wait times after upgrading? Longer wait times the more the games progresses .... sorry, I am not willing to keep paying to play. I am willing to pay $10 (or more for a real good game) to get the game and play it - but I am not willing to feed the game constantly on every single device with money. ... guess I will not get the game than.

Too bad they will still make tons of money from people willing to feed actually dollars constantly to play.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Cougarcat Avatar
145 months ago
...and EA ruins yet another promising franchise.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Hastings101 Avatar
145 months ago
Really? That sounds annoying as hell. Hope there's a non-"freemium" version available eventually.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)

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