WWE tags in Rocket League for pay-per-view partnership melding eSports and sports entertainment
Psyonix, the studio behind auto-based soccer game and eSports staple, Rocket League, has partnered with the WWE to give the title's branding pride of place among two pay-per-view events.
WWE Backlash
The game will be publicised by WWE’s platforms, including television, digital and social media, and on WWE Network, WWE’s direct-to-consumer streaming service, with its partnership upon the Backlash and Great Balls of Fire events.
The title will also be a promotional partner of WWE’s biggest event of the summer, SummerSlam, Sunday, 20 August.
The game boasts around 31m players but through exposure to the WWE fan base, Psionix will hope to continue the title's explosive growth on consoles and PCs as an accessible eSports title.
John Brody, WWE executive vice president, global sales and partnerships, said: “The integrated partnership with Psyonix will provide Rocket League with an opportunity to utilize WWE’s global platforms and reach our passionate fan base, many of whom are avid gamers.
“We look forward to working with Rocket League as we collectively build customized one-stop shopping programs to reach their consumers.”
Jeremy Dunham, vice president of publishing at Psyonix, added: "As WWE fans ourselves, we are well aware of WWE’s strong capabilities as a strategic marketing partner.
“WWE has proven time and again that they know how to execute fantastic integrated programming, and with an audience that has similar interests to our own, it was only natural that we team up to see what we could do together.”
Building on the activity, WWE’s YouTube gaming channel UpUpDownDown, will dedicated six episodes to the title and the game will partner the new WWE Women’s Tournament.