Castrol Edge recently launched the Titanium Gamer challenge. Titanium Gamer marks the launch of the Castrol EDGE ‘Titanium Trials’ in the action driving, Need for Speed Payback, game. This marks the launch of a landmark collaboration where a new mission in the game was designed by the world class studio Ghost with support from Castrol EDGE. I was lucky enough to sit down with some who partook in the challenge.
Please join me in welcoming Luke Woodham( Drift driver who participated), Theo Thomas( gaming influencer who participated) , and Vivek Rampal(Global Marketing Director-Cars And Bikes At Castrol) To GamerHub.TV
1.Name/Location/Title
Luke Woodham, Professional Drift Driver: Luke Woodham/I live just outside London/Professional drift driver
Theo Thomas, Video Game Influencer : Theo Thomas/ Leicester, England/Video game influencer
2.When did you know that Castrol would be a good fit/partnership for this project? Was it also Castrol’s plan to have a human driver go up against a video game controlled driver?
Luke Woodham, Professional Drift Driver: Castrol approached Theo and I with this project and it really piqued our interest. From the get-go, the idea was to pit a human driver against a video game driver in a closed course with a driving experience that more closely mimicked the feeling of driving in a video game. This is something I’d never heard of before. I’m always looking to push boundaries and challenge myself and this idea of competing against a video gamer, who could very well win over me, was really exhilarating.
3.Was there a selection process to decide who was selected for the ultimate “man VS machine” contest?
Vivek Rampal, Global Marketing Director, Cars & Bikes at Castrol: Luke and Theo were an easy choice, we were looking for a top Need for Speed gamer to compete with a top driver
4.How does the partnership between Castrol and Need for Speed/EA open the door for how things can be done in the future such as new collaborations in your opinion?
Theo Thomas, Video Game Influencer: I think the Titanium Gamer challenge really underlines how brands can push the envelope and think outside the box when it comes to collaborations. Need for Speed may be an imaginary world, but a lot of real-world amateur and professional drivers play the game and could benefit from using Castrol EDGE in their cars. I love the idea of Castrol connecting with their target audience in this more unexpected way.
5.The idea of Titanium Gamer is for the player to be challenged by different means presented to the player ingame. Was that always an idea or was that something brought to the table mid-project?
Vivek Rampal, Global Marketing Director, Cars & Bikes at Castrol: Titanium Gamer was created to challenge the driver’s skills. Luke and Theo knew that they could trust the titanium strength of Castrol EDGE in their engines, giving them the opportunity instead to focus on the desert course and the challenge of driving their cars as if in a video game.
6.Are there any plans in the future for other “Man VS machine” competitions in other EA games/Castrol partnership games?
Vivek Rampal, Global Marketing Director, Cars & Bikes at Castrol: We’re always exploring new partnerships and collaborations and the success of this Titanium Gamer challenge will definitely influence our thinking for future projects.
7.Origin of the Titanium Gamer title?
Vivek Rampal, Global Marketing Director, Cars & Bikes at Castrol: It’s a combination of Castrol EDGE’s Titanium Trials and the gaming tie-in to the driving challenge.
8.Did the results of the contest turn out the way you thought they would? If not, comments as to why?
Luke Woodham, Professional Drift Driver: I certainly wanted to win, but I never underestimated Theo’s gaming talent. Our cars truly made it seem like we were driving in a video game and that is something he’s obviously comfortable with.
Theo Thomas, Video Game Influencer: I was surprised at how tentative I was once I got in the car. I think it really hit me then that we were driving cars and not in a video game. The whole experience was such a massive sensory challenge, but was incredible to be a part of.
9.The Titanium Trial takes place in the desert, was that always the case? Any other locations planed for future events?
Vivek Rampal, Global Marketing Director, Cars & Bikes at Castrol: Not yet. The previous location was on ice, this one was in the desert. Both were fun and challenging locations, but we still don’t have a firm location for the next one.
BONUS ROUND
1.Mario or Luigi
Luke Woodham, Professional Drift Driver: Luigi
Theo Thomas, Video Game Influencer: Mario
2.Hot wheels cars or Match Box Cars
Luke Woodham, Professional Drift Driver: Hot wheels
Theo Thomas, Video Game Influencer: Hot wheels
3.Monopoly Piece-Racecar or other
Luke Woodham, Professional Drift Driver: I actually always chose the dog when I was younger.
Theo Thomas, Video Game Influencer: I really like the new T-rex piece Monopoly introduced earlier this year.
4. Wanted to be a racecar driver when you grew up?
Luke Woodham, Professional Drift Driver: I’ve always loved motorsport and my dream was to become a racing driver. Although I did fancy being a firefighter at one point!
Theo Thomas, Video Game Influencer: I wanted to work in games development.
5.Real live driver or Video game driver?
Luke Woodham, Professional Drift Driver: Real live driver
Theo Thomas, Video Game Influencer: Video Game Driver
That's going to do it for another GamerHub interview. I would like to thank my guests, Luke Woodham, Theo Thomas, and Vivek Rampal for taking the time out of their busy schedules to join us at GamerHub.TV.