Ford has partnered with video game maker Psyonix to create a new virtual version of America’s best-selling pickup truck. It is featured in the Rocket League multiplayer video game where vehciles take center stage and compete in soccer matches.
The Ford F-150 Rocket League Edition will be available as an in-game purchase Feb. 20-28. The F-150 bundle also includes a chairman decal, two sets of F-150 wheels, F-150 Rocket League Edition engine audio, F-150 boost, and F-150 player banner.
The animated version of the truck carries over the real world styling of the typical F-150 you’d see on the road. It has C-clamp headlight design, rounded wheel arches, drop-down windows, and ‘F-150’ stamped in the tailgate.
“It had to be an F-150 but one that fits within Psyonix’ extreme virtual world pairing soccer and mayhem,” said Ehab Kaoud, chief designer, Ford trucks. “F-150 is already the most popular truck in the real world, and this F-150 Rocket League Edition is poised to be the most popular truck in the gaming world, too. It’s Built Ford Tough meets gaming.”
The Rocket League partnership isn’t Ford’s first foray into esports. The automaker recently designed a virtual race car based on decisions that were made by fans on Twitter. The Ford design team then created a the Team Fordzilla car as a concept in its studio.
Additionally, soon Ford will produce commercial shorts narrated by actor Bryan Cranston aimed at gamers.
Ford isn’t the only company getting into the esports realm. Bugatti, Lamborghini, Jaguar, Mazda, and Chevrolet have also joined the gaming world. Honda recently debuted a next-gen Civic prototype via Twitch, a streaming platform heavily utilized by the gaming community.
