LONG BEACH, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--You can afford a Ferrari.
Cie Games (www.CieGames.com), a leading developer of high-quality online social games, has partnered with five exotic car manufacturers to bring the real world’s most coveted automobiles into the virtual world of Car Town (www.CarTown.com), the popular Facebook game that lets players collect and customize virtual cars, build their ultimate garage and race against friends.
In addition to Ferrari models (including the California, a 2011 458 Italia and a 1996 F355 Berlinetta), Car Town players can now drive virtual versions of modern and classic models from Aston Martin, Lamborghini, Pagani and McLaren – for a price. Just as real-world luxury cars are accessible only to a relative handful, their Facebook counterparts on Car Town can be driven only by those players who have racked up enough points or completed special requirements to qualify. Indeed, for those who dream of driving a Ferrari, hold tight: get on the special order list and then kick back for several days before taking delivery of the car. These exotic cars are priced between $20 – $100 each, making them some of the most expensive virtual items in social gaming.
Purchasing a Ferrari in Car Town gives players the same virtual benefits available in the real-world. Players can look forward to driving on the famous Fiorano race track, “visiting” the factory in Maranello, Italy, and restoring their classic Ferrari through the Ferrari Classiche program – activities designed to build brand allegiance while delivering engagement and entertainment.
Launched in August 2010, Car Town already has attracted nearly 8 million players, making it one of the most in-demand games available via Facebook. With 46 percent of Car Town gamers playing at least once every three days, and 80 percent of all players are 34 years old or younger, the game’s fans represent an attractive market segment to manufacturers of high performance and luxury cars.
“Today, the Car Town experience enables potential buyers to develop stronger, life-long attachment to these premium brands in a more interactive – and more effective – way,” said Justin Choi, president and CEO, Cie Games. “It’s more than awareness; it’s about engagement and positioning – giving consumers a taste of what’s real in a way that’s fun for the consumer and hugely valuable for brands. We’re replacing the ‘dream car’ poster on the wall with a virtual ownership experience. Car Town provides immersive taste of the real-life experience that really revs up automotive aspirations.”
About Cie Games
Cie Games (www.ciegames.com) creates online social games that deliver deeper engagement and a richer experience to game players while serving as a powerful media platform for advertisers. Its popular game Car Town (www.cartown.com) has 8 million active users and is one of the largest games available on Facebook. Cie Games builds interactive media properties that combine gaming, social networking, online advertising, product placement and brand interaction. Cie Games is located in Long Beach, Calif., but operates at the intersection of Silicon Valley, Hollywood and Madison Avenue.