The worlds of motorsport and blockchain technology collided this week as Animoca Brands announced an exclusive partnership with Dorna Sports to develop a MotoGP-branded blockchain racing game. The deal, revealed on September 28, 2019, marks one of the most high-profile collaborations between a major sports franchise and a blockchain gaming company to date.
TL;DR
- Animoca Brands secured exclusive blockchain gaming rights for MotoGP from Dorna Sports
- The game will feature digital collectibles and NFT-based assets tied to real-world racing
- MotoGP is one of the most-watched motorsport series globally, with hundreds of millions of viewers
- The deal signals growing mainstream acceptance of blockchain gaming and digital collectibles
- Animoca Brands continues its push to bridge traditional gaming with blockchain technology
A Landmark Partnership for Blockchain Gaming
Animoca Brands, the Hong Kong-based blockchain gaming company listed on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX: AB1), has been steadily building a portfolio of licensed blockchain games. The MotoGP deal represents a significant upgrade in the caliber of intellectual property the company has secured. Dorna Sports, the exclusive commercial and television rights holder for the FIM MotoGP World Championship, chose Animoca Brands to bring the premier class of motorcycle road racing to the blockchain.
The partnership will see Animoca develop a racing game that incorporates blockchain-based digital collectibles, allowing players to own, trade, and race with unique digital assets. This model — combining gameplay with verifiable digital ownership — is at the forefront of the emerging NFT gaming ecosystem. While the term “NFT” was still relatively niche in September 2019, the concept of blockchain-verified digital ownership was already gaining traction among forward-thinking game developers.
Why MotoGP Matters for Blockchain Adoption
MotoGP is not just any racing series. It attracts over 400 million television viewers annually across more than 200 countries. The championship features legendary riders and iconic manufacturers including Yamaha, Honda, Ducati, and Suzuki. By attaching blockchain gaming to such a globally recognized brand, Animoca Brands gains access to a massive potential user base that extends well beyond the typical crypto community.
The timing of the announcement is notable. With Bitcoin trading around $8,245 and the broader cryptocurrency market experiencing volatility following Bakkt’s underwhelming futures launch earlier in the week, the Animoca-MotoGP deal offered a reminder that blockchain technology extends far beyond price speculation and derivatives trading.
Digital Collectibles and the Future of Gaming
The Animoca Brands approach to blockchain gaming centers on the concept of true digital ownership. In traditional video games, players spend money on in-game items that they do not actually own — they remain the property of the game developer. Blockchain technology changes this equation by allowing players to possess verifiable, tradeable digital assets.
In the context of a MotoGP racing game, this could mean owning unique digital versions of famous motorcycles, rider gear, or track memorabilia. These digital collectibles could appreciate in value based on their rarity and the real-world performance of the riders and teams they represent. The model draws parallels to traditional sports card collecting, but with the added benefits of blockchain verification and global liquidity.
Animoca Brands’ Growing Blockchain Empire
The MotoGP deal is part of Animoca Brands’ broader strategy to acquire licenses for well-known brands and adapt them for blockchain gaming. The company has previously worked with properties including The Walking Dead, Power Rangers, and Beast Quest. Each partnership follows a similar playbook: take an established brand, create a blockchain-enabled gaming experience, and introduce traditional gamers to the benefits of digital ownership.
This strategy positions Animoca Brands as a bridge between the traditional gaming industry and the emerging world of blockchain-based entertainment. The company’s ASX listing also provides a level of institutional credibility that many pure-play crypto projects lack, potentially making it easier to secure partnerships with mainstream brands like Dorna Sports.
Why This Matters
The Animoca Brands-MotoGP partnership represents an early but significant milestone in the convergence of mainstream sports entertainment and blockchain technology. While the cryptocurrency market was focused on Bitcoin’s price decline and Bakkt’s disappointing futures launch, deals like this were laying the groundwork for the NFT boom that would explode in 2021. The ability to combine globally recognized sports brands with verifiable digital ownership would eventually create a multi-billion dollar market for digital collectibles. For now, in September 2019, it was a quiet but important step toward that future.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. The cryptocurrency market is highly volatile, and readers should conduct their own research before making any investment decisions.