The top selling video game, Forza Motorsport 5, will add the Formula E‘s pioneering Renault-Spark to its large catalogue of cars in a move that will see the Formula E series gain yet more exposure, as well as show its adeptness to tie in with social media and technology.
Available as a free download in the Xbox Live marketplace, this marks the first time in video game history that a fully-electric single-seater has been featured as a playable car on a home entertainment system.
The ‘First in Forza’ announcement was made during this weeks’ gamescom gaming conference in Cologne, Germany otherwise known as the world’s largest trade fair for interactive entertainment. In addition, a full scale Formula E car was also on show to the gamers and industry.
As part of Forza Motorsport 5, fans will be able to race the Spark-Renault SRT_01E around iconic tracks such as the Silverstone Grand Prix Circuit and the legendary Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps.
While unsurprisingly, the new ePrix circuits do not feature in the game, gamers will be able to race on the streets of Long Beach where the 20 Formula E drivers will compete in the inaugural Long Beach ePrix on April 4 2015.
The Forza Motorsport franchise is a highly successful franchise made by developers Turn 10 Studios and published by Microsoft Studios.
First published in 2005 with the release of Forza Motorsport, Forza Motorsport titles are available exclusively for Xbox gamers and have since sold more than 10 million copies, helping the new series gain valuable exposure.
The series is also famed for its realism and state of the art graphics, and will hopefully aid Formula E fans in getting a feel for how the unique, fully electric car.
“It’s fantastic that gaming fans will be able to drive our Formula E car and experience electric racing for the first time in their own homes,” said Jaume Sallares, Sales & Marketing Director at Formula E. “The partnership with the Forza Motorsport series ties in perfectly with our desire to increase interaction with our fans through social media, offering new ways to experience motorsport by making it accessible to the general public and the chance to play a part of the racing through FanBoost.”
As well as the Forza partnership, Formula E aims to encourage interactivity via the FanBoost feature, a move that saw a mixed reaction. In addition, selected Formula E races – such as the Long Beach ePrix – will offer free admission to help inspire fans to get involved.
With the addition of Forza’s car feature and pre-existing features such as fan boost, Alejandro Agag’s desire for Formula E to attract interest in unique ways continues to unveil itself as the first ever race approaches.
