It was well over a year ago when GTPlanet reported on rumblings that Electronic Arts’ exclusive licensing agreement with German automaker Porsche was set to expire sometime in 2016.
Since then, Microsoft’s Turn 10 Studios has released a Forza Motorsport 6 Porsche Expansion, Italian developer Kunos Simulazioni announced its Porsche partnership and recently debuted the first of three packs bearing the Stuttgart-based stable, and Porsche tuner RWB turned up in the credits for Playground Games’ Forza Horizon 3 demo.
Now, in much more subtle fashion than the aforementioned, Porsche-branded avatar gear has become available on the Xbox Marketplace. The price tag? Free.
Far more interesting, however, is the fact that this is not part of an EA Games or Need for Speed promo. Instead, the three pieces of headwear, an equal amount of racing suits (in male and female versions), and a Porsche 918 Spyder prop are labeled in association with the Forza Collection and Forza Motorsport 6.
Of course, the curious bit is: why was this out-of-game content not released in conjunction with the aptly-themed Forza Motorsport 6 expansion back in March?
While we do not anticipate an answer to that riddle, the release of more Porsche content not under the thumb of EA marketing does further the discussion that exclusive privileges to use the trademark may be winding down, or have come to an end altogether.
Then again, without knowing the details of the deal, it is possible that things like avatar items are excluded from such restrictions. Still, this is a good sign that Posche’s gatekeepers are recognizing the value that video games bring in developing broader brand recognition and loyalty — something already ingrained in the minds of some auto manufacturers.
So, what do you think? Does the future of Porsche licensing in video games appear to be brighter? Let us know in the comments below. Then, head to the Xbox Marketplace to snag your gear — the length of time this content will be available, and for free, is undetermined.
Porsche loopy, nuts are we
Me and him and them and me
We’ll show you what we can do
With a bit of road and a 962…
Connected to the hopefully soon-arriving Porsche DLC for Assetto Corsa?
Nope. As I detail in the article, this is connected to Forza Motorsport 6.
Presumably it’s something to do with the Williams F1 steering wheel for XBox? They’re also a partner with Porsche on hybrid projects… and that’s definitely a Williams F1 outfit on the first avatar.
Might be a Rothmans Porsche 962 outfit??? Do not see Williams connection to be honest.
No, it says “Rothmans Porsche” on it, lol :)
I also noticed a Porsche 918 for free, not sure if it’s related to this or FM6 tho.
I do make mention of the 918 in the article: “… and a Porsche 918 Spyder prop …”
Ops i overlooked it, my bad.
Is that a cigarette brand on an XBox Avatar? Someone’s going to get in trouble for that…
Yep. Doubly strange since the actual 962c in FM6 doesn’t have it.
Anyone placing a bet on how long the brand will stay there for?
Does Rothman’s even sell fags anymore? The vast majority of players aren’t even going to recognise the brand I reckon.
DLC isn’t subject to ratings.
Ratings have nothing to do with it, you can’t advertise tobacco on anything that can be used by children. This is exactly why tobacco sponsorship is removed from all video games and diecast models.