Dirty Derby is an action indie casual multiplayer party game set on PC where players act as brokers manipulating chaotic animal races. In each round a fresh lineup of nine animals drawn from around fifty species competes on one of several available maps. Participants receive contracts that specify target finish positions for particular animals and then intervene directly to fulfill those goals while competing against the other brokers.
Gameplay
The core loop centers on reading the randomized animal lineup and executing contracts through a mix of direct interference and strategic positioning. Players drop onto the track equipped with tools such as syringes and wireless devices that accelerate or hinder specific animals. Physical confrontations are also permitted, allowing brokers to swing bats or otherwise disrupt rivals and the racing creatures themselves. Animals possess distinct abilities that influence outcomes, including a giraffe that sweeps its long neck to topple nearby competitors and a reindeer capable of running through the air. Success depends on balancing contract completion with efforts to hinder opposing brokers, all while the race unfolds in real time.
Because the animal selection changes every round, each session demands quick adaptation to new skill sets and movement patterns. Brokers earn money by meeting contract conditions, and the player who accumulates the most ultimately claims the top spot. Non-first-place finishers risk being forced into the next race as participants, adding personal stakes to the competition.
Game Modes
Dirty Derby focuses on compact 2-to-4-player online sessions that blend racing with direct player-versus-player interference. The primary experience revolves around simultaneous contract fulfillment and track disruption, creating a party-style format where everyone operates with conflicting objectives. No separate single-player campaign or additional named modes have been detailed beyond this core multiplayer structure, which emphasizes repeated short rounds on varied maps.
The format supports both competitive and cooperative elements within the same lobby, as players can indirectly assist or sabotage one another through shared race events. Matches remain fast-paced and repeatable, suiting casual gatherings or focused competitive play among small groups.
Animal Selection and Map Variety
Each race draws nine animals at random from a pool of approximately fifty species, ensuring fresh combinations and requiring players to learn a broad range of movement styles and special abilities. This randomization prevents repetitive strategies and keeps sessions unpredictable. Maps provide different layouts and terrain features that interact with animal skills, further varying how contracts can be approached on any given round.
Brokers must account for these variables when choosing which animals to support or obstruct, turning every race into a fresh puzzle of positioning, timing, and opportunistic interference.
Is It Worth Playing?
Dirty Derby targets players who enjoy short, high-interaction multiplayer experiences that combine racing with direct sabotage. Its emphasis on contract-driven objectives and on-track brawling creates a distinct party atmosphere suited to groups of two to four. The game remains in development with a planned December 2026 release, so current details reflect the announced systems rather than post-launch performance. Those seeking chaotic, repeatable sessions built around animal abilities and broker rivalry will find the described mechanics align closely with that preference. No user reviews or long-term support information are available yet.
