iRacing has purchased the NASCAR Team Properties’ (NTP) “exclusive simulation-style console racing games license” from Motorsport Games.
The license will transfer from 704Games, a Motorsport Games subsidiary, to iRacing.
iRacing is now developing a new NASCAR game, for release on PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch and PC (Steam) targeted for release in 2025.
“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 in a press release of the announcement.
“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.”
Since Motorsport Games acquired the exclusive license to produce NASCAR games in 2018, the publisher released two games: NASCAR Heat 5 and NASCAR Rivals. Fans of the stock car racing series have been critical about the quality of the games, so seeing a more reputable name in the sim racing world taking the reign should be delightful news.
iRacing operates a sim racing platform on PC (it’s a video game, but with a subscription and way too many DLCs). But the company also owns developer Monster Games, the previous developer of NASCAR Heat 1, 2002, 2, 3 and 4.
Motorsport Games also current holds the exclusive license to IndyCar, the American open-wheel racing series. No video game has been released by Motorsport Games since the license was acquired.
From a separate press release by Motorsport Games, the company “has committed to redefining its product and development strategy and will start with a comprehensive commercial review of all projects in its portfolio, which may result in additional restructuring efforts to those already implemented under the previously announced 2022 Restructuring program”.
The IndyCar game, currently in development at Motorsport Games Australia studio and the dedicated racing game website Traxion.GG are the two namechecked to be under review.