iRacing to develop NASCAR console game
available in 2025
DAYTONA
BEACH, Fla., Oct. 5, 2023
/PRNewswire/ -- NASCAR®, iRacing and Motorsport Games Inc.
(NASDAQ: MSGM) ("Motorsport Games") announced today that iRacing
has acquired NASCAR Team Properties' (NTP) exclusive
simulation-style console racing games license from Motorsport
Games. The sale, approved by NTP, will see the license transfer
from 704Games, a wholly owned subsidiary of Motorsport Games, to
iRacing, which will begin developing a NASCAR console game expected
in 2025.
iRacing Acquires NASCAR Team
Properties' Exclusive Simulation-Style Console Racing Game
License
"When we were approached with the option to acquire the license
for the simulation-style NASCAR console game, which was the console
game and franchise that we were dreaming about doing, it was an
opportunity we couldn't pass up," said iRacing President
Tony Gardner. "Having the ability to
build a NASCAR console game is a privilege we promise to execute
with the utmost care. We look forward to working diligently with
NASCAR industry stakeholders to deliver a product that provides an
amazing experience for the gaming community and NASCAR fans
worldwide."
Gardner added, "With all the NASCAR game experience, console
experience, resources and technology assets we already have in
place, we are in a fantastic position to hit the ground running
building a great NASCAR game franchise on the various
platforms."
The acquisition expands iRacing's decade-plus presence in
NASCAR. iRacing began its relationship with NASCAR in 2010 with a
licensed sim racing product and has grown into a key technical
partner of the sanctioning body as its "official simulation
partner." iRacing runs dozens of NASCAR official series on iRacing
with thousands of people participating daily from late models to
Cup cars, including the $100,000-to-win eNASCAR Coca-Cola iRacing Series
and the eNASCAR iRacing Pro Invitational Series during the COVID-19
pandemic. Additionally, the Massachusetts-based company's simulation
and engineering abilities have helped NASCAR develop new cars
and tracks, including the NextGen car, Busch
Light Clash at the Coliseum, and Chicago Street Race, among
others. Now, iRacing can extend its expertise broadly to include
NASCAR Team Properties.
Motorsport Games obtained the NASCAR simulation-style console
gaming license in 2018 when it acquired majority equity in
704Games. Motorsports Games' current
NASCAR titles, including NASCAR Heat 5 and NASCAR
Rivals (available here), will still be available and supported
by Motorsport Games through 2024.
"The sale of the NASCAR license is the result of a thorough,
strategic review of where we believe our company should be headed
over the longer-term," said Motorsport Games CEO Stephen Hood. "In our exploration of the sale,
we gave due consideration to those companies we believed could
develop a great NASCAR game. Both NASCAR and iRacing have been
receptive to our proposed change, working with us to architect a
positive transition post-sale and we thank them for their support.
We will now concentrate our efforts towards delivering around other
IP already in advanced development."
In addition to simulation-style console gaming, NASCAR has
worked diligently to produce quality experiences for fans who
engage in virtual and gaming spaces. This year, the sanctioning
body launched NASCAR Speed Hub on Roblox, released arcade-style
console game NASCAR Arcade Rush, made available special team
decals in Rocket League, announced the development of a
mobile game with Hutch and completed another successful season of
the eNASCAR Coca-Cola iRacing Series. Furthermore, NASCAR partnered
with esports organization Gen.G to create crossover content and
build a live fan experience at the Rocket League Championship
Series Major in Boston, and have
had Fortnite and Rocket League paint schemes featured
on cars in the NASCAR Cup Series this season. The sanctioning body
is also leveraging gaming as an engine for content and community
building through dedicated channels on Discord and Twitch, along
with a growing presence on traditional social media channels.
"NASCAR has the most passionate fans in the world and a vast
community that is just as passionate about gaming," said NASCAR
Managing Director Esports and Gaming Nick Rend. "What's more, there
continues to be tremendous opportunity to connect with millions of
potential new fans in the gaming space.
"iRacing has been an incredible partner and ambassador for the
NASCAR industry for more than a decade. We thank Motorsport Games
for its efforts over the years and are ready to work with iRacing
to deliver a best-in-class simulation-style NASCAR console game
that's exciting for the gaming community and allows our fans to
connect with the sport in an impactful, meaningful way."
For more information on NASCAR's gaming initiatives, visit
eNASCAR.com.
About NASCAR
Celebrating its 75th Anniversary in 2023,
the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR) is the
sanctioning body for the No. 1 form of motorsports in the United States and owner of 16 of the
nation's major motorsports entertainment facilities. NASCAR
sanctions races in three national series (NASCAR Cup Series™,
NASCAR Xfinity Series™, and NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series™), four
international series (NASCAR Brasil Sprint Race, NASCAR Mexico
Series, NASCAR Pinty's Series (Canada), NASCAR Whelen Euro Series), four
regional series (ARCA Menards Series, ARCA Menards Series East
& West and the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour) and a local
grassroots series (NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series). The
International Motor Sports Association™ (IMSA®) governs the IMSA
WeatherTech SportsCar Championship™, the premier U.S. sports car
series. NASCAR also owns Motor Racing Network, Racing Electronics,
and ONE DAYTONA. Based in
Daytona Beach, Florida, with
offices in eight cities across North
America, NASCAR sanctions more than 1,200 races annually in
12 countries and more than 30 U.S. states. For more information
visit www.NASCAR.com and www.IMSA.com, and follow
NASCAR on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Snapchat
('NASCAR').
About iRacing
To learn more about the most realistic,
authentic and industry leading motorsports racing simulation and
games from iRacing for both NASCAR and other motorsports
properties, visit https://www.iracing.com.
About Motorsport Games
Motorsport Games, a
Motorsport Network company, is a leading racing game developer,
publisher and esports ecosystem provider of official motorsport
racing series throughout the world. Combining innovative and
engaging video games with exciting esports competitions and content
for racing fans and gamers, Motorsport Games strives to racing
games that are authentically close to reality. The Company is the
officially licensed video game developer and publisher for iconic
motorsport racing series including the 24 Hours of Le Mans,
INDYCAR, and the British Touring Car Championship ("BTCC").
Motorsport Games also owns the industry leading rFactor 2 and
KartKraft simulation platforms. rFactor 2 also serves as the
official sim racing platform of Formula E, while also powering F1
Arcade through a partnership with Kindred Concepts. Motorsport
Games is also an award-winning esports partner of choice for the 24
Hours of Le Mans, Formula E and BTCC. Motorsport Games is building
a virtual racing ecosystem where each product drives excitement,
every esports event is an adventure and every race inspires.
Forward-Looking Statements:
Certain statements in this press release which are not
historical facts are forward- looking statements within the meaning
of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and
Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and
are provided pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private
Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Any statements in this
press release that are not statements of historical fact may be
deemed forward-looking statements. Words such as "continue,"
"will," "may," "could," "should," "expect," "expected," "plans,"
"intend," "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "predict,"
"potential," and similar expressions are intended to identify such
forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements
include, but are not limited to, statements concerning whether the
sale of the NASCAR license was beneficial to Motorsport Games in
either short term or long-term, and whether iRacing would be
successful in developing a great NASCAR game, whether there will be
a positive transition post-sale and whether Motorsport Games will
be successful in concentrate its efforts towards delivering around
other IP already in advanced development. All forward-looking
statements involve significant risks and uncertainties that could
cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or
implied in the forward-looking statements,
many of which are generally outside the control
of Motorsport Games and are difficult to predict. Each of NASCAR,
iRacing and Motorsport Games anticipates that subsequent events and
developments may cause its plans, intentions and expectations to
change. Each of NASCAR, iRacing and Motorsport Games assumes no
obligation, and it specifically disclaims any intention or
obligation, to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a
result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as
expressly required by law. Forward-looking statements speak only as
of the date they are made and should not be relied upon as
representing Motorsport Games' plans and expectations as of any
subsequent date.
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SOURCE iRacing.com Motorsport Simulations, LLC