To put a real car in a video game, a studio must identify who controls the rights it needs, approach that rights holder or its licensing representative, and negotiate permission for the specific uses planned. The agreement may cover more than a badge or model name: vehicle designs and other intellectual property can be involved, and approval rules, restrictions, timing, and costs depend on the rights holder and project.
What does a studio need permission to use?
A real car is not necessarily cleared just because a studio has permission to display its name or logo. The relevant rights may include trademarks and emblems, the vehicle’s body design, and other intellectual property. NaturalMotion’s legal notice, for example, identifies Ferrari body designs as Ferrari property and lists automotive marks, designs, copyrights, and other IP used under license or with approval. The rights required for a particular game depend on the car, intended use, territory, and applicable law; there is no established universal licensing package. NaturalMotion’s legal notice
Start by determining who can authorize each intended use. A manufacturer may control some rights, while another party or representative may control others. WIPO’s game-business guide recommends asking which party owns or controls the car rights and whether the manufacturer has a licensing program. Confirm the authority of the specific contact rather than assuming one company representative can clear every element. WIPO, Mastering the Game: Business and Legal Issues for Video Game Developers
How does the licensing process work?
- Map the rights and uses. List the cars, names, badges, designs, and other elements the game needs, along with where and how they will appear.
- Find the rights holder or its representative. Ask who controls the specific rights and whether a licensing program exists. The route varies by company.
- Introduce the project. Prepare a concise brief describing the game, platforms and territories, release window, requested cars, how players will encounter them, intended marketing uses, and development schedule. This is a practical outreach recommendation, not a universal application form.
- Negotiate scope and conditions. Agree on permitted uses, territory, platforms, term, any exclusivity, fees or other consideration, restrictions, and approval obligations.
- Plan for approvals and production. Determine what needs review, who must approve it, and how that work fits the schedule before the game depends on a final asset or marketing plan.
Microsoft’s account of licensing at Turn 10 describes a licensing director approaching external partners to introduce a game and seek interest in licensing their IP. It also notes that assets such as cars, racetracks, buildings, and locations can have one or more owners, and that partner needs must be balanced with the game schedule. That makes licensing both a rights-clearance task and a production-coordination effort. Microsoft’s Turn 10 licensing profile
#1 Best Overall
- Immersive Gaming Experience: Perfect for PlayStation 5, PS4 and PC gaming titles, the Driving Force simulates the feeling of driving a real car with precision steering and pressure-sensitive pedals
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- 900-Degree Rotation: Lock-to-lock rotation of the Driving Force means you can turn the wheel around two and a half times, hand over hand on wide turns - just like a real F1 race car
- Up Your Game: Take your racing simulation to the next level with Driving Force accessories like the Driving Force Shifter or desk and rig mounts
Automaker processes are not interchangeable
GM provides one public example of a trademark intake route: prospective licensees submit an interest form; GM reviews requests against its criteria and may request a full application before someone becomes an official licensee. This example concerns GM’s trademark process. It should not be treated as a portal for every automaker or as proof that the form alone covers every use of a vehicle in a game. GM licensing information
What should the agreement settle?
Before committing to a car or building a production plan around it, compare the rights and conditions in writing. WIPO recommends considering restrictions that could affect development or marketing and asking how long approval may take. Its guide does not establish a standard approval duration.
Rank #2
- Immersive Gaming Experience: Perfect for Xbox and PC gaming titles, the Driving Force simulates the feeling of driving a real car with precision steering and pressure-sensitive pedals
- Premium Control: The Driving Force feedback racing wheel provides a detailed simulation of driving a real car, with helical gearing delivering smooth, quiet steering and a hand-stitched leather cover
- Customizable Pedals: These pressure-sensitive nonlinear brake pedals provide a responsive, accurate braking feel on a sturdy base - with adjustable pedal faces for finer control
- 900-Degree Rotation: Lock-to-lock rotation of the Driving Force means you can turn the wheel around two and a half times, hand over hand on wide turns - just like a real F1 race car
- Up Your Game: Take your racing simulation to the next level with Driving Force accessories like the Driving Force Shifter or desk and rig mounts
- Rights included: Identify the marks, emblems, body designs, and other IP covered, and confirm who has authority to grant each right.
- Permitted uses: Define use in the game and in marketing, including platforms and territories.
- Control and exclusivity: Establish whether the rights are exclusive and whether the agreement limits other uses or partners.
- Approvals and restrictions: Specify what requires review, who approves it, and whether depiction or development restrictions could affect the game.
- Term and renewal: Set the license period and what happens if the game, content, or marketing remains available afterward.
- Consideration: Clarify fees or other commercial terms instead of assuming a standard rate.
- Schedule: Account for review, approval, and delivery milestones in the development plan.
A public SEC-filed agreement for INDYCAR game rights illustrates that a game-related IP license can set detailed product-scope and consent conditions. It concerns a racing series, not an automaker’s car license, so its specific clauses should not be assumed to apply to car deals. SEC-filed INDYCAR agreement
How much does it cost to license a real car?
There is no general price, royalty, or rule that car inclusion is free established by the public sources cited here. Developers discussing Project CARS 2 described some relationships as shifting from manufacturers charging for inclusion toward viewing games as advertising. That is an industry participant’s characterization, not a current market-wide rate card or evidence that a particular license costs nothing. The commercial terms need to be established for each deal. Developer interview about Project CARS 2
Recommended Free Tools
Rank #3
- REALISTIC RACING SIMULATION DUO: Feel what is like to drive a real race car with G920 Driving Force Racing Wheel & Pedals and Driving Force Shifter
- PAIRED FOR PRECISION: Take full control of the race with G920 Driving Force Racing Wheel & Pedals and Driving Force Shifter
- PRECISE CONTROL: Helical transmission gears reduce noise and vibration with anti-backlash keeping wheel and pedals tight. The six-speed “H” shifter helps you execute smooth, accurate gear transitions
- FORCE FEEDBACK: The dual motor force-feedback realistically simulates the feel of tires on a turn, understeer, oversteer, drifting and more
- PREMIUM BUILD: Look, feel and durability of a real race car wheel, pedals and shifter. Wheel cover, knob and boot are covered in high-quality, hand-stitched leather with a solid steel gear shaft and polished metal pedals
What a studio should compare when choosing cars
When several cars or rights holders are possible, compare them against the same project needs rather than choosing by name recognition alone.
| Question | What to establish |
|---|---|
| Who can grant the rights? | Identify the owner or authorized representative for each relevant car and element. |
| What is covered? | Confirm the marks, designs, and other IP included in the permission. |
| Where and how can it appear? | Specify game uses, marketing uses, platforms, and territories. |
| What limits apply? | Check exclusivity, depiction or development restrictions, and approval obligations. |
| What are the business and timing terms? | Set fees or other consideration, term and renewal, and the approval and delivery schedule. |
The agreement and project determine the answer to each question; the public sources do not establish standard values for these terms.
Rank #4
- Wireless racing wheel and pedals for PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, & Windows 11/10
- Battery life up to 10 hours, with an included 6.6ft Charging Cable allowing for wired play.
- Included wireless receiver plugs directly into your console and offers up to 32ft range
- Securely fasten the wheel to your desk, table, or racing wheel stand with the sturdy clamp
- Officially licensed by Sony
Further reading
For broader context on licensing and the legal and business issues facing game developers, see WIPO’s Mastering the Game: Business and Legal Issues for Video Game Developers. Check the publication details for the edition and format relevant to you.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- TRUEFORCE: Next-gen TRUEFORCE technology connects to game engines for high-definition feedback; experience the ultimate driving experience with processing at 4000 times per second
- Programmable dual clutch: Get off the starting line cleaner and faster; a programmable dual clutch simulates real race car launch assist right from the controller, when playing supported games
- Control your game: Fine-tune your speed with a built-in LED RPM indicator; integrated PlayStation 5, PS4, PC game controls, a 24-point selector and progressive brake spring keep steering under control
- Premium Racing Design: Refreshed Logitech G gear design includes premium materials like a hand-stitched black leather wheel cover and polished metal pedals; experience the pleasure of driving at home
- On-wheel game controls: Take charge of wheel sensitivity, force feedback levels and simulated steering; Logitech G Hub Gaming software enable button customisation right from the controller
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