Path to PSP, PS2 now clear for 'Free Running'

by James Ransom-Wiley { Feb 3rd 2007 at 5:29PM }

Free Running (the game) has seemingly overcome the obstacles, finding a publisher in Ubisoft and enough mainstream attention to warrant a UK release in mid-March. We first spotted Free Running in June 2005 when then publisher Eidos was showing off some footage of the Core Designs PSP title, which was also being called Parkour Freerun (note: parkour and free running are two distinct disciplines).

Since that time, Core Designs was acquired by Rebellion, which eventually passed Free Running off to Reef Entertainment. Reef, now teamed with Ubisoft, has found an opportunity to finally turn out Free Running, which will also be released on PlayStation 2 (in addition to its original PSP format).

The game release is timed with building commercialization of the 'free running' discipline, whose founder -- and star of the upcoming game -- Sebastien Foucan showed off some moves in the latest Bond flick Casino Royale. Ubisoft is a fitting publisher as both its Prince of Persia series and upcoming title Assassin's Creed feature elements inspired by free running. The publisher has no apparent plans to distribute Free Running outside of the UK.

[Via PSP Fanboy]

Tags: Free Running, FreeRunning, Parkour, PS2, PSP, Reef Entertainment, ReefEntertainment, Sebastien Foucan, SebastienFoucan, Ubisoft, UK, United Kingdom, UnitedKingdom

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

chenry @ Feb 3rd 2007 5:55PM

Probably smart, considering it's not very big outside of the UK.

Mikeawesome @ Feb 3rd 2007 6:22PM

I'm pumped for this game.

I really hope it gets released in the US.

Freerunning is an amazing sport. :[

nick @ Feb 3rd 2007 6:50PM

"The publisher has no apparent plans to distribute Free Running outside of the UK." = It's not good enough to warrant a wide release.

Edge of Blade @ Feb 3rd 2007 6:55PM

I thought you could perform Free Running in Crackdown. Try it. They are called the "Rooftop Races". A whole game of that could be interesting, given the right amount of vertigo.

GunForHire @ Feb 3rd 2007 7:22PM

How exactly is a game about running around rooftops and stuff supposed to be any fun? What's the goal? Do you race? You can already do similar stuff in Crackdown, only that's not what makes up the entire game...

LongshotX @ Feb 3rd 2007 7:38PM

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Nate @ Feb 3rd 2007 7:54PM

@ 6:

Somebody set up us the bomb!

Bruce Snell @ Feb 3rd 2007 9:42PM

At least they didn't refer to free running as a "martial art" this time.

Grunge @ Feb 4th 2007 7:52AM

I would much prefer a game with free running as an element rather than the main thrust of the game. Prince of Persia? Check. Assassin's Creed? Check. Free Running - Rebellion? Not so much.

Besides that, it seems (from the videos) like the controls will be a bit clunky. The only reason I say that is because it seems to have an excess of "standard" animations, and not all that much in the way of quick, responsive combos.

SSUK @ Feb 4th 2007 9:11AM

@3: It's not that, it's just we thought we'd spare you from such greatness as your 100 anime-rip-off video games, Sonic the Hedgehog Genesis GBA and countless movie-game adaptations. We're kind and considerate like that. =)

Steve @ Feb 4th 2007 11:05AM

@ #6.

GASP! You're a terrorist!

ss @ Feb 4th 2007 2:23PM

First of all, the name sucks, Free Running - Rebellion? WTF? Why not call it simply Parkour - London or something to try and build a franchise and extend it to different cities.
Second, i doubt featuring only parkour in a game would make it boring, it's just like saying a skating only game would be boring or that a driving only game would be boring.
Third, controls can be good, the games i've played that featured (some kind of) parkour were excellent. Splinter Cell (the whole series) and Prince of Persia (Sands of Time).
Fourth, please don't make it with a stupid french accent. Please.