NASCAR will debut a new “one of a kind” racing game built in the hugely popular video game Fortnite.
Developed in partnership with UK metaverse studio, Karta, the experience launches with a Chicago Street Course map, styled on the real NASCAR Chicago Street Race taking place 7 July, merging the physical NASCAR racing experience with the digitisation of the Fortnite ecosystem.
Debuting ahead of the real-life Chicago Street Race, NASCAR’s official launch on Fortnite brings its second annual event to the Fortnite world. The map gives NASCAR fans, and players of all levels who may have never interacted with the sport, the chance to get closer to the real event by racing on Rocket Racing maps.
Nick Rend, Managing Director of Esports & Gaming at NASCAR, said: “NASCAR has always been about pushing boundaries and connecting with fans in exciting ways.
“Fortnite provides the perfect platform to engage a global audience, blending the intensity of NASCAR racing with the immersive world of Fortnite. Karta, with their incredible creativity, attention to detail and innovative approach, were the perfect partners to help us bring this vision to life.
“We wanted to build something with longevity for both diehard NASCAR enthusiasts and the wider Fortnite community and we think we have succeeded with just that.”
The strategic move into the world of Fortnite will hope to also grow NASCAR’s younger demographic due to being a widely popular video game amongst young teenagers.
The American motorsports entity has also hinted that the Chicago-based race will not be the only fixture on the Fortnite platform. NASCAR stated it has wider plans to add more virtual recreations on the platform.
Erik Londré, CEO of Karta, added: “Working with an icon of motorsports like NASCAR has been a dream come true.
“Our goal was to capture the essence of NASCAR racing – the speed, the strategy, the adrenaline – and inject it with a dose of Fortnite fun. The result is something truly special – a high-octane, visually stunning racing experience that we know players will love.”