Video game publisher and distributor Bigben Interactive and Hyundai Motor Company are delighted to announce that Hyundai Motor will be the main partner of the 2017 eSports WRC Championship. It will be called the eSports WRC powered by Hyundai, and the global competition will be contested on WRC 6, the official FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) game.

For the second year, Hyundai Motor Company, which operates a three-car team in the WRC, is proud to support Bigben Interactive in the promotion of the eSports WRC, by offering a premium Hyundai i20, worth 20,000€, to the winner of the competition.

In 2017, Hyundai Motorsport is competing with a spectacular new-generation World Rally Car. The Hyundai i20 Coupe WRC, a 380HP version of the road car, can reach 60mph in less than 4 seconds. It is Hyundai’s third new car in the headline World Rally Car category since returning to the Championship in 2014.

“After a first year of partnership, we are really excited to be part of the eSports WRC adventure for a new year,” said Scott Noh, Director of Hyundai Motor’s Overseas Marketing Group. “The eSports WRC championship is the perfect way for people around the world to be part of the WRC family by competing in online rallies in parallel to the official ones. Last year the tournament gathered thousands of virtual drivers for a year of competition which ended with an amazing live event in Wales. With the new format this year, it’s interesting to follow drivers from January to November and we can already see an intense battle on the podium which sounds exciting for the coming months,” added Noh

In 2017, the eSports WRC follows an exciting new format which mirrors the real-life WRC. Players can earn points on each round, before a thrilling finale when the 8 best drivers will fight to succeed the German virtual driver aTTaX Johnson and win a brand new Hyundai i20 Coupe road car.

“ We are very proud to partner and work with Hyundai for a second year in order to propose the best online experience to our players,” declares Benoît Clerc, Head of Software at Bigben Interactive. “With their involvement in motorsports and especially in the WRC, Hyundai proves that innovation and performance are part of its DNA and it’s essential for us to associate with such a leading and inspiring company,” says Benoît Clerc.

After the first 3 rounds, the championship is led by French driver Nexl, who finished 4 th in 2016, and he is followed closely by Speedbooster27 (Germany) and Hesto (Germany). Each round takes place in parallel to a real-life WRC round, putting players in the boots of Thierry Neuville, Hayden Paddon and Dani Sordo and all other WRC stars as they feel the excitement and the pressure of fighting for vital tenths of a second in difficult and challenging conditions.

More information can be found on http://www.esportswrc.com. eSports WRC is available available on PS4, Xbox One and PC for all the players who own the game.The tournament is organised by Bigben Interactive, Kylotonn Games and WRC Promoter. Check out #WRC6 on social media! To follow the championship, for the latest information and the complete competition programme: www.esportswrc.com and www.facebook.com/wrcofficialgame/ .

About PQube

PQube is a publisher, distributor and service provider for the interactive entertainment industry with a global reach through UK, Europe, Middle East, Australia and North and South America from its offices in Letchworth, Paris, Bristol and Bawtry. PQube is a licensed publisher for Sony, Microsoft and Nintendo platforms and publishes and distributes games on Playstation 4, Playstation Vita, Xbox One, 3DS, iOS, Android, PC and digital download. PQube has established a track record of success with major franchises including:- BlazBlue, GuiltyGear, WRC, MotoGP, Ride, MXGP, Arcana Heart, Harvest Moon, Senran Kagura and Steins;Gate. PQube also creates and distributes hardware, consoles and technology including Sega MegaDrive, Atari Flashback, BlazeTab and BlazeGear. PQube also provides a full range of creative, design, web, marketing, PR, development and e-commerce and fulfilment solutions. We thank all our partners and acknowledge all game names, brands and trademarks as properties of their respective owners. www.pqube.co.uk

About Bigben Interactive

Bigben Interactive is a European designer and distributor of accessories for video games consoles, smartphones and tablets, a creator of audio products and a well-known video game publisher. With the boom in the market for mobile phone equipment and the changes in the video game market, the group, recognized for its creativity and innovation, has set itself the objective of becoming a European leader in multimedia accessories.

Bigben Interactive has published the WRC video game series since 2013 and in 2014, after signing a major partnership with the French Ligue Nationale de Rugby, published the first official rugby simulation TOP 14/PRO D2.

About Kylotonn Racing Games

With more than 25 games released on all platforms, from the first generation of consoles to the current fourth generation, Kylotonn has a solid reputation in the video game industry. Composed of racing enthusiasts, our team’s strategy is to gradually specialize in the racing games genre. Kylotonn Team: 60 developers – In-house real-time 3D technology: Kt HD

About WRC

The World Rally Championship is the FIA’s premium rally series. WRC showcases authentic motorsport, high performance cars and the world’s best drivers competing in dramatic surroundings ranging from the ice and snow of Scandinavia to the stifling heat of Sardinia. Established in its current format in 1973, WRC participants battle for the drivers’ and manufacturers’ world titles at 14 rallies spanning 16 countries and five continents.

Source: Press release