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iRacing has acquired NASCAR’s console video game license from Motorsport Games in the biggest shake-up of the sport’s gaming space in nearly a decade. The deal, specifically for simulation-style console racing games, will be announced later this morning after being finalized in recent weeks by NASCAR Team Properties, Massachusetts-based iRacing and Miami-based Motorsport Games. The main objective of the agreement is that 704Games, a subsidiary of Motorsport Games, will transfer the license to iRacing, the company widely known until now for its simulator-style racing products aimed at amateur and professional racing drivers, at video game market place. iRacing, owned by John Henry of Fenway Sports Group, intends to release a new NASCAR console video game in 2025. Although they tried, 704Games and Motorsport Games seemed to never be able to produce a game that met to the expectations of NASCAR fans, with negative reviews of graphics and gameplay being an almost annual theme on social media in the days and weeks following a release. Publicly traded company Motorsport Games also controls IndyCar’s console video game license, but had to delay the release of the first official IndyCar game with the company this year after encountering undisclosed issues. The company has indicated in recent public filings that it may soon run out of operating profit and is considering transferring the license as a result.
NEW START: The deal with iRacing will provide a fresh start for NASCAR and a chance for iRacing to show its bona fides in the console space. iRacing has been the official simulator racing product of NASCAR since 2010 and helped the sport innovate at the start of the pandemic, when real-world racing was halted. The company still works with NASCAR on its esports efforts, and iRacing has also helped NASCAR develop real-world race tracks like the Busch Light Clash at the LA Coliseum as well as the Chicago Street Circuit. 704Games was previously known as Dusenberry Martin Racing, the company that in 2015 acquired the console license from Eutechnyx, which had been making games for the sport since 2011. Motorsport Games acquired majority ownership of 704Games in 2018. Before 2011 , NASCAR was working with EA Sports.
TOO GOOD TO PASS UP: iRacing President Tony Gardner called this in a statement “an opportunity we couldn’t pass up” as this was the console gaming franchise the company was considering. Until now, the company’s main revenue driver has been subscriptions to its simulator racing platform. NASCAR has been working to expand its presence well beyond traditional racing games in recent years to move beyond console challenges, striking deals with Roblox and Rocket League while announcing new games for smartphones mobile. NASCAR’s gaming department is led by General Manager of Esports and Gaming Nick Rend. In a statement, Rend thanked Motorsport Games “for its efforts over the years and (NASCAR is) ready to work with iRacing to deliver a best-in-class simulation-style NASCAR console game.” For Motorsport Games, CEO Stephen Hood said in a prepared statement that the sale of the license “is the result of a thorough strategic review of the direction we believe our business should take over the long term.”
