Nimblebit’s upcoming online multiplayer kart combat title Zero Gear has appeared on Valve’s digital distribution hub Steam for pre-purchase. Good for those who do put down for the game early as it supplies beta access instantly along with $5 discount, 25% off the listed price.

The game brings up to 8-player online games on over 15 maps that including Race, Tag, Goal and Target gameplay modes and 45 Steam achievements, along with the expected ridiculous power-ups that make this type of game so fun.

Zero Gear arrives January 12, 2010 for PC, with a demo available here.

The Independent Games Festival judges certainly have a ton of work to do. Perhaps the hardest thing about IGF is that there are so many entries throughout several genres, with some entries defying every genre (such as Gray). But since the days of Mario Kart, it is apparent we are fans of racing at high speeds…and screwing one another over. NimbleBit are a three-man team who share the common indie dream that so many developers do. However, they’ve done something that I haven’t seen too much of in the indie world: kart racing.

Zero Gear is an online multiplayer kart-racing combat game in which–you guessed it–you’re invited to beat the shit out of your friends (via adorable tiny vehicular combat)! That sounds funner and much cheaper than therapy. Interested? Entry to its beta can be found at this location. But in the event that I need more leeway, there’s a kickass trailer after the break.