Steam is giving away Initial Drift for free: an open-world racing game inspired by Initial D.

Initial Drift Online, an arcade-style racing game inspired by the legendary anime series Initial D, is currently available for free on Steam. This 100% discount offer lasts until January 18, 2026, allowing players to permanently own the game in their personal library without any cost.

The revival of the legendary Anime racing game.

Inspired by the popular animated series Initial D from the late 1990s, Initial Drift Online recreates the journey of a young racer in a classic Toyota AE86. The game attempts to fully capture the appeal of the original, including iconic details such as the tofu delivery mission on challenging mountain roads.

Besides its nostalgic elements, this game is positioned as a massively multiplayer online (MMO) game with an arcade-style driving gameplay. This allows the game to appeal to a diverse audience, from professional drift enthusiasts to gamers seeking lighthearted entertainment in a virtual world.

Open world and interactive PvP features.

Initial Drift Online goes beyond simple races, expanding into an open-world environment where players can freely explore and interact with each other. The PvP (player-versus-player) system allows racers to compete directly, proving their driving skills on challenging tracks.

Notably, this is a product from an independent (indie) developer, offering a fresh and different feel compared to traditional blockbuster racing games. Being completely free-to-play for an extended period is a great opportunity for the game to build a stable and vibrant player community before officially entering the next stages of development.

Currently, users of Windows and Linux/Unix operating systems can access the Steam store to claim this game. After adding it to their library before the deadline of January 18, 2026, gamers will have permanent ownership and access to the game.