Driving games emerged in arcades in the mid-1970s before transitioning to home entertainment systems in landmark releases like 1987’s Outrun, Super Monaco GP and the iconic Gran Turismo series. Generations of gamers have loved driving supercars which looked (and hopefully felt) as much like the real thing as possible.
It’s no surprise that the DB9 and Aston Martin Valkyrie are some of gamers’ favourite models in modern games. With a new era of ultra-lifelike games like the Forza Motorsport series, how does Aston Martin bring their real-life cars to the screen and make them look and feel as authentic as possible in the gaming world?
Aston Martin’s design and engineering teams play a pivotal role in this process, providing highly detailed Computer Aided Design (CAD) data, paint and material specifications, and ongoing guidance throughout development. The same teams responsible for creating Aston Martin’s real-world vehicles are involved in approving the digital replicas, ensuring accuracy down to the finest details.
With the incredible advancements in game engine technology over the past decade, most studios Aston Martin works with can now replicate materials with astonishing realism. Aston Martin’s teams don’t just review the base structure and finishes, they assess everything from the weave direction of carbon fibre to the grain of the leather and the precision of seat stitching. Whether someone experiences the Aston Martin Valkyrie’s cockpit in a dealership or in Gran Turismo 7 VR, the designers want people’s jaws to hit the (virtual) floor.
But what is the relationship like between Aston Martin and the game companies and who approaches who? Some developers approach Aston Martin with a clear vision for including the marque’s iconic supercars in their game, particularly if it aligns with the game’s setting, time period or artistic style. In other cases, Aston Martin initiates discussions with studios whose audience and gameplay experience would resonate with the brand.
The marque has been involved in computer games for a quarter of a century and has built close relationships with industry giants like Microsoft, Tencent, EA and Sony. This allows Aston Martin to move quickly when launching new models and to be involved in major gaming intellectual property (IP) from its inception.
Having appeared in over 100 video games since the mid-1990s, featuring prominently in legendary franchises like Need for Speed, Forza Motorsport and Gran Turismo, these collaborations provide a unique way of engaging a new generation with the ultra-luxury lifestyle brand. And since 2023, there has been an expansion into new genres and regions. Newer titles like PUBG: Battlegrounds and China’s Need For Speed – Ascend now showcase groundbreaking models, including the Aston Martin Valkyrie and DBX707, to a combined audience of over 100 million players.
Aston Martin works hard with gaming companies to capture the reality of the car, going to extraordinary lengths: for the Microsoft Forza series, Le Mans champion Darren Turner drove the Aston Martin Valkyrie around AML’s Stowe Circuit at Silverstone while microphones captured the engine’s roar.
Whether it’s a highly technical sim racing title like Gran Turismo, which focuses on competition, or an expansive open-world experience like Forza Horizon, Aston Martin vehicles consistently rank among the most played amongst licensee games. Icons such as the Vulcan, DB5 and Vanquish often serve as ‘hero’ cars – aspirational models that players work toward unlocking and mastering, either through story-led campaigns or grinding competitions against fellow players. From Southeast Asia to North America, the next generation of Aston Martin fans will hear the Vanquish’s breathtaking V12 engine and explore every sculpted curve of its design, all without ever stepping foot in a dealership.
The Aston Martin portfolio offers a rare blend of heritage, beauty and performance, making it incredibly versatile for game developers. More recently, the retro-futuristic Valour has gained strong uptake with partners excited to showcase the vehicle’s unique styling and incredible performance to new and seasoned gamers alike. Similarly, the 2024 Vantage GT3 has become a standout, thanks to its outstanding debut season in the World Endurance Championship, driving a surge in demand from sim racing fans worldwide.
Now you can even upgrade to a home driving simulator – the AMR C01 developed with Curv Racing Simulators, which is inspired by the Aston Martin Valkyrie and delivers a fully immersive gaming experience. And it might just make some gamers want to invest in the real thing.
