Nissan Launches Racing NFTs in Collaboration with Animoca Brands and Polygon
One of the world’s largest motor companies gears up for its first entry into Web3, bringing drifting, motorsport and the metaverse together!
NOVEMBER 8, 2022. NEWS. WRITTEN BY JENZ ALIPAR.
Drivers, start your engines!
Nissan, one of the largest automakers in the worlds, has announced a collaboration with Grease Monkey Games, an Australian-based video game studio and a subsidiary of Animoca Brands. In partnership with Polygon, they plan to launch officially licensed Nissan, NISMO, Infiniti and Datsun NFTs.
According to the Animoca team, Grease Monkey Games claims that Torque Drift 2 will be the first ever worldwide digital motorsport experience to utilise officially-licensed NFTs from Nissan. These gamified NFTs will also be incorporated into Animoca Brands’ REVV Motorsport ecosystem.
Up to 15 unique Nissan models will be released within the next 12 months, with multiple variants to be made available in Torque Drift 2. The first official Nissan NFTs will be 5 variants of the 180SX model, including the cult-favorite Sil80 and 7 variants of the 370Z model, including the 50th Anniversary edition.
The deal takes the long-standing partnership between Grease Monkey Games and Nissan into the metaverse. Torque Drift 2 is described as “the next generation of motorsports games”, offering collectable NFTs and engaging virtual experiences.
Built on Polygon, Torque Drift 2 aims to deliver an immersive and realistic drifting experience in an environmentally friendly way.
Urvit Goel, Head of Global Games Business Development at Polygon Studios, said:
“Nissan’s entry to the web3 space with Torque Drift 2 represents one of the most exciting and significant implementations of blockchain and NFT technology by a major global brand to date. This collaborative effort between Grease Monkey Games, Animoca Brands and Nissan will go down as a landmark moment in the NFT and gaming space, and we at Polygon are delighted to provide the infrastructure and tools to make it happen.“
Grease Monkey Games is working closely with Nissan to ensure that all vehicle and vehicle parts are represented realistically.
The deal grants the game studio full access to all Nissan, Datsun, and Infiniti’s range of vehicle models from past to future. From 3D models, engine variants and rare NISMO parts to vehicle trim options, colour choices, horsepower and performance characteristics, special care is taken to ensure accuracy.
Arran Potter, Founder and Managing Director at Grease Monkey Games, commented:
“Nissan is synonymous with drifting and motorsport, full stop. Since drifting began, drivers have been predominantly navigating Nissans around corners sideways. We are working very hard to ensure maximum respect for this important legacy. As drifting enthusiasts ourselves, we are beyond excited to bring this iconic brand and its cars and parts to the Torque Drift 2 world.“
A spokesperson for Nissan also added:
“Nissan Motor Co., Ltd, Licensing Business Group is happy to be a continuing Licensing partner for the new Torque Drift franchise. Torque Drift 2 interactive racing is sure to build upon the legacy that Grease Monkey Games has developed from the first title, Torque Drift 1.“
