Play by Play Studios has announced that NBA The Run is set to launch in June for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S and PC via Steam. The reveal comes alongside the game’s first official gameplay trailer, showcasing a fast-paced, above-the-rim style focused on highlight plays, tight defense and flashy moves built for quick, competitive action.
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Players will get an early opportunity to try it out, as sign-ups are open for the first closed beta playtest. The session is scheduled for Friday, May 1, running from 12:00 PM to 3:00 PM PDT on Steam, giving a limited group a chance to experience the game ahead of launch.
At the center of the experience is the Run the World Tournament, a four-round knockout format built around 3-on-3 matchups across well-known streetball courts around the globe. Each run leads to a championship game held at one of four designated finals locations, where teams compete for the Run the World trophy and bragging rights.
NBA The Run will feature three core modes at launch. Knockout Squads puts players in control of a single athlete within a team of three, teaming up with friends or other users online. Knockout Solos allows players to manage their own trio and take on other user-created teams. Knockout Friends offers a private tournament setup with options to play solo or with others against AI or invite competitors, supporting up to 48 participants.
The launch roster includes more than 30 NBA players along with five original streetball characters, each designed with unique styles and abilities. Gameplay is built to feel fast and responsive, supported by rollback netcode to keep online play smooth and in sync during key moments like crossovers, loose ball scrambles and alley-oops.
NBA The Run marks the debut title from Play by Play Studios, an independent team made up of experienced developers with backgrounds across major sports franchises. The studio’s goal is to capture the feel of classic sports games while delivering a modern experience tailored for today’s players.
Published: Apr 29, 2026 08:21 pm