... INGOLSTADT, Germany, Sep 21, 2009 - Audi fans will be able to drive
the e-tron concept car through PlayStation Home starting in late 2009. Audi
is the first carmaker to develop its own virtual area there, known as the
Audi Space. The Audi e-tron, a high-performance sports car with a purely
electric engine, was introduced at the International Motor Show (IAA).
Starting in December, it will be available in the Vertical Run driving game
within the Audi Space.
Racing enthusiasts will soon be able to view the Audi drive concept of the
future in PlayStation Home, a 3D social gaming service for the PlayStation
3 community. Four motors – one per wheel – power the e-tron when it drives
along the three-dimensional racetrack in Vertical Run. The game will be
available exclusively in the new Audi Space within PlayStation Home.
“Most young people gain their first driving experience from video games,”
explains Kai Mensing, who is responsible for video games and virtual worlds
in Online Marketing at Audi. “With the Audi Space, we can bring this target
group into contact with our brand in a highly emotion-packed and
interactive environment, and demonstrate our ‘Vorsprung durch Technik’ with
the virtual e-tron race.”
The goal of Vertical Run is to beat the competition in a multiplayer
challenge by collecting enough electrical energy and avoiding driving
errors in the e-tron, in order to reach the highest possible speed. While
all PlayStation Home users will be able to access Audi Space – with its
centrally placed tower reminiscent of major cities like Shanghai and
Chicago – the Audi apartments located above the city will only be available
to the best drivers. ...