Grease Monkey Games, a subsidiary of Hong Kong-based gaming firm Animoca Brands and the creator of the popular Torque Motorsports series, has partnered with Konig to introduce the first-ever interoperable wheel non-fungible tokens (NFTs) to Torque Drift 2 and other games in the Torque Motorsport games franchise in the second half of this year.

Torque Drift 2 is a racing game that leverages blockchain technology to offer an immersive and true-to-life drifting experience based on true digital ownership, Animoca Brands said in a statement on Thursday.

As the official on-chain game for Formula DRIFT, Torque Drift 2 will deliver a range of authentic racing experiences for Web2 and Web3 gamers alike as it releases content and features through 2023 and 2024 for PC, with console availability to follow.

Torque Drift 2 is part of the REVV Motorsport ecosystem of metaverse racing games.

According to the statement, Konig has become one of the most recognizable wheel brands in the world. For over 40 years Konig has helped shape automotive tuning through its continuous support of automotive enthusiasts and the motorsport community.

As avid car enthusiasts, the Konig team understands the importance of using real data and feedback obtained from their sponsored race teams. A leader in flow-formed wheels, Konig produces both cast and forged wheels.

Konig-licensed NFTs for Torque Drift 2 will be interoperable in Torque Burnout and Torque Drift, the previous mobile titles developed by Grease Monkey Games under the Torque Motorsport portfolio.

Interoperability is an important feature of blockchain gaming, as it allows players to have true ownership of their assets, giving them more flexibility and freedom in how they use their assets.

“We’re proud to stand at the forefront of automotive gaming as it pushes into the NFT world. Our collaboration with Grease Monkey Games and Animoca Brands allows automotive enthusiasts to interact with and experience the Konig brand and wheels in a digital environment that gives players true digital ownership and asset interoperability,

“We are thrilled to add those characteristics to the digital versions of our wheels, which are already some of the strongest, lightest, and most advanced on the market,” said Scott Weiss, President of Konig America.

According to the statement, the first Konig-licensed NFT drop will feature eight of the company’s most sought-after alloys, including the Hypergram, Dekagram, and Ampliform, among others.

The collection is aimed at existing motorsport fans as well as people interested in the NFT market.

Built on the Polygon blockchain, which has committed to eliminating all of the network’s carbon debt since inception and to making the chain climate positive, Torque Burnout and Torque Drift will introduce a weekly challenge mode later this year in addition to accepting the Konig NFTs in game, rewarding players while they enjoy the game they already know and love.

“We are honored to partner with Konig to launch NFTs for Torque Drift 2 based on some of the best available wheels in the world of racing,

“The NFTs will offer our players a new way to engage with our games, and the interoperability across all our titles will allow players to own and use their NFTs in a variety of ways,” said Arran Potter, Founder and CEO of Grease Monkey Games.

According to the statement, holders of Premium Keychain NFTs will have access to an exclusive early experience to Torque Drift 2 in the first half of 2023, before the open beta releases for the public.

Grease Monkey Games, a subsidiary of Animoca Brands, is an Australian video game studio established in 2013 in Melbourne. The company was formerly known as League of Monkeys.

Its Founder and Chief Executive Officer Arran Potter has a wealth of experience in creating visual effects and video games, and has worked on high-profile commercials and films since the early 2000s.

Originally a contract-based company, Grease Monkey Games began developing and publishing its own original IP games in 2014.

Since then, the growing team of game makers and motorsport enthusiasts has published the successful motorsport titles Torque Burnout and Torque Drift, which have more than 45 million downloads globally, and is developing the new title Torque Drift 2.

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