Zynga Announces Multi-Year Partnership with Racing Icon Ken Block for CSR Racing 2

Rhea-AI Summary

Zynga Inc. (NASDAQ: ZNGA) has partnered with professional rally driver Ken Block for a multi-year collaboration centered on the mobile game CSR Racing 2. This partnership introduces the 'Hoonicorn vs. The World 2' in-game event, featuring Block's 1,400hp Ford Mustang Hoonicorn. The event offers players the chance to race against some of the world’s fastest vehicles while receiving racing tips from Block and his daughter Lia. This exciting collaboration aims to enhance user engagement and experience in the popular drag racing game.

Positive

• Partnership with Ken Block may increase player engagement and attract new users.
• Introduction of 'Hoonicorn vs. The World 2' event can enhance the game’s appeal and increase in-game purchases.

Negative

• The partnership's success is uncertain and depends on player reception.
• Potential risks associated with reliance on a single event for long-term engagement.

Starting Today, Inaugural Hoonicorn Vs The World: Season 2 In-Game Event Features the Legendary Racer, His Cars and Drag Racing Lessons with His Daughter, Lia

SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Today, Zynga Inc. (Nasdaq: ZNGA), a global leader in interactive entertainment, announced that NaturalMotion, a subsidiary of Zynga Inc., is the official game partner of professional rally driver and Internet phenomenon, Ken Block, for the popular mobile drag racing game, CSR Racing 2 (CSR2). In the game, players collect and tune the hottest and latest cars to compete on tracks – all in unsurpassed state of the art graphics and high visual fidelity.

Zynga Announces Multi-Year Partnership with Racing Icon Ken Block for CSR Racing 2 (Graphic: Business Wire)

Ken Block, who first entered the competitive rally racing world in 2005, created his award-winning viral video series, Gymkhana, shortly thereafter, paving the way for the creation of the Hoonigan brand. As a co-founder of DC Shoes, a winner of 16 U.S. rallies, six-time Global RallyCross Championship race winner and an X Games superstar, Ken Block is both a racing legend and a social media sensation.

CSR2 kicks off its partnership with Ken Block with the premiere of the Hoonicorn vs. The World 2 in-game event today, which will run through December 7, 2021, in conjunction with the series’ broadcast season on the popular Hoonigan YouTube channel.

Hoonicorn vs. the World 2, which pits Block’s 1,400hp AWD Ford Mustang Hoonicorn RTR V2 in straight line races versus some of the world’s fastest-in-class vehicles, is narrated by Ken Block and his daughter Lia, an aspiring race car driver who was introduced to the world of racing by her father at an early age. As a special highlight of the in-game event, players can get racing tips by following Ken as he teaches Lia to drag race.

“I am stoked to kick off this exciting partnership with CSR2, which enables players around the world to experience the thrill and adrenaline of driving the Hoonicorn from the comfort of their mobile phone,” said Ken Block. “Racing my daughter, Lia, in the game makes this campaign so fun to me, and I look forward to sharing my passion for racing with the CSR2 gaming community.”

Through the partnership, CSR2 introduces players to “hooning,” a mix of aggressive and precision driving that Ken Block has become known for performing in a variety of race-prepared vehicles. As part of the collaboration, all of Ken Block and Hoonigan’s cars will also be featured in-game, and Block’s real-life vehicles and gear will feature the CSR2 logo.

“We are extremely excited to embark on this multi-year partnership with Ken Block, which marks an important milestone for CSR2,” said Julian Widdows, Vice President of CSR2 Racing. “Ken’s artistic and fearless approach to racing has ignited the passion of speed enthusiasts around the world. He is a racing legend, and we look forward to bringing his extraordinary talent to the mobile screen.”

The new Hoonicorn vs. The World 2 in-game event brings to CSR2 Block’s 1,400 horsepower Ford Mustang RTR Hoonicorn V2, which represents an upgrade to Block’s original Hoonicorn. Players can race Ken’s car against CSR2’s 15 fastest cars, including the Ford Mustang Cobra Jet, SSC Tuatara and Weaver Customs’ Twisted Mistress. Through a total of 40 races, players can earn in-game rewards including special parts and new upgrades.

CSR2 is available to download for free on the App Store as well as on Google Play.

To view the official game trailer and supporting assets, please visit:
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/gdua6wp1rmqzx2q/AADswdp84lW84DIQLLJYqu5ha?dl=0

For more information, visit:
CSR2 Website
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram

About Zynga Inc.

Zynga is a global leader in interactive entertainment with a mission to connect the world through games. With massive global reach in more than 175 countries and regions, Zynga has a diverse portfolio of popular game franchises that have been downloaded more than four billion times on mobile including CSR Racing^TM, Empires & Puzzles^TM, FarmVille^TM, Golf Rival^TM, Hair Challenge^TM, Harry Potter: Puzzles & Spells^TM, High Heels!^TM, Merge Dragons!^TM, Merge Magic!™, Queen Bee^TM, Toon Blast™, Toy Blast™, Words With Friends^TM and Zynga Poker^TM. With Chartboost, a leading mobile advertising and monetization platform, Zynga is an industry-leading next-generation platform with the ability to optimize programmatic advertising and yields at scale. Founded in 2007, Zynga is headquartered in California with locations in North America, Europe and Asia. For more information, visit www.zynga.com or follow Zynga on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook or the Zynga blog.

Forward-Looking Statements

This message contains forward-looking statements relating to a multi-year partnership with Ken Block and related future game events and features in CSR Racing 2. Forward-looking statements often include words such as “will,” “expect,” “plan,” “intend,” and statements in the future tense are generally forward-looking. The achievement or success of the matters covered by such forward-looking statements involves significant risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Undue reliance should not be placed on such forward-looking statements, which are based on information available to us on the date hereof. We assume no obligation to update such statements. More information about these risks, uncertainties and assumptions is or will be described in greater detail in our public filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), copies of which may be obtained by visiting our Investor Relations website at http://investor.zynga.com or the SEC’s web site at www.sec.gov.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20211129005194/en/

Zynga Media Contact:

Jenny Taylor

jetaylor@zynga.com

(310) 849-0648

Ken Block Media Contact:

Travis Clarke

tclarke@teamwass.com

(760) 602-6200

Source: Zynga Inc.

FAQ

What is the Hoonicorn vs. The World 2 event in CSR Racing 2?

It's an in-game event where players race Ken Block's 1,400hp Ford Mustang Hoonicorn and learn drag racing tips.

When does the Hoonicorn vs. The World 2 event run?

The event runs from today until December 7, 2021.

How will the partnership with Ken Block affect Zynga's CSR Racing 2?

The partnership aims to enhance player engagement and attract new users through unique racing experiences.

Who is Ken Block in relation to Zynga's CSR Racing 2?

Ken Block is a professional rally driver and social media influencer, partnered with Zynga to promote CSR Racing 2.

What type of cars will be featured in the Hoonicorn vs. The World 2 event?

Players can race Block's Hoonicorn against 15 of CSR2's fastest cars.