Suzuki launches Ring of Fire racing game app
(January 2, 2011) BREA, Calif. — American Suzuki Motor has launched the Kizashi Ring of Fire racing game app, bringing its popular online game to life on both the iPad and iPhone as a free download from the App Store.
With this launch, Suzuki builds on its multi-platform approach to promote the all-new Kizashi sport sedan in conjunction with the company’s intercontinental road trip Tokyo to L.A.: The Hard Way, which concluded this summer. In addition, the Kizashi Ring of Fire app becomes the first commercial racing game powered by Brass Monkey remote control technology, which debuted at E3 in Los Angeles earlier this year.
“The Kizashi Ring of Fire racing game app offers consumers a virtual opportunity to experience the Kizashi sport sedan on four tracks inspired by the adventurous Tokyo to L.A. road trip,” said Jeff Holland, associate director of public relations and social media of American Suzuki. “Suzuki’s new app further positions the company as an innovator in the digital space among other automakers, and is a great download for those receiving iPhones and iPads this holiday season.”
The Kizashi Ring of Fire app for iPad and iPhone is a single player racing game that combines both world-class design and high performance. Players experience the Kizashi in four fantasy track locations — Tokyo, Siberia, Alaska and Los Angeles — locations recently visited on the Tokyo to L.A.: The Hard Way road trip.
In the game, players race the 2011 Kizashi SE on the first two tracks and the 2011 Suzuki Kizashi Sport GTS on the more challenging third and fourth track. To enhance the experience, the app uses the iPad and iPhone motion sensors for dynamic steering and players can activate AWD to enhance vehicle handling, or use special Suzuki boosts to enter super-fast warp mode.
Brass Monkey remote control technology enables users to turn their iPad or iPhone into a virtual steering wheel. The player connects the device to a computer via WiFi connection and controls the hero vehicle in the online game.
"We are very excited about Suzuki being the first to use Brass Monkey in a digital marketing campaign,” said Chris Allen, President and CTO of Brass Monkey Inc. The Kizashi Ring of Fire is fun on its own, but steering the car with your iPad or iPhone as a controller really makes it an immersive experience. It's almost as if you are driving the actual Kizashi, because the mechanics are very similar to using a real steering wheel. We see games like this being the future of what brands will be doing with our technology, and it's wonderful to see that Suzuki is so forward thinking in this regard."
Specially designed Kizashi Ring of Fire game kiosks with the Brass Monkey technology will be displayed at select 2011 auto shows for consumers to play the game and experience the Suzuki Kizashi in a new way. These auto shows include the Philadelphia International Auto Show (Jan. 29 – Feb. 6), Chicago Auto Show (Feb. 9 – 20), Denver Auto Show (March 30 – April 3 and New York International Auto Show (April 20 – May 1).
To download the app, visit the App Store and search for “Suzuki” or “Kizashi” and select the free “Kizashi Racing Game.”