The
game, “White Collar: Chasing the Shadow,” is an extension of the
critically acclaimed USA NETWORK drama “White Collar,” which follows a
con artist and FBI agent who team up to catch bad guys. The Taurus is
not only featured prominently in the television series but now in a new
online game that allows players – acting as FBI trainees – to drive the
Taurus and use its features to catch a notorious villain dubbed “The
White Shadow.”
“What makes this initiative unique is that the
2010 Taurus isn’t just along for the ride,” said Connie Fontaine, Ford
Brand Content & Alliances manager. “The new and class-exclusive
technologies in the Taurus are used to interpret clues and collect
evidence.”
For example, players use the Ford SYNC technology to access text messages that contain important crime-solving tips.
“Features like SYNC, SecuriCode, Adaptive Cruise Control and Collision Warning are used in the online game as they would be by a real-world consumer, and they seamlessly contribute to the game’s plot and puzzles,” explained Fontaine. “The game also is episodic in nature, giving players the ability to come back and solve new puzzles weekly and vary the ways in which they interact with the Taurus.”
Online game product placement: Kicking it up a notch
Product placement in online games is not new for Ford, but the depth of
the Taurus integration in “White Collar: Chasing the Shadow” is,
according to Jonathan Beebe, Taurus Digital Marketing manager.
“This is a more immersive, realistic and storytelling-based experience that is more closely aligned with television and movie product integration,” he said. “It raises the bar by providing realistic environments and compelling game play that showcases the Taurus and its features to consumers.”
According to Jeff Eggen, Ford Car Experiential Marketing manager, the company is continually looking for ways to extend partnerships – like the one with USA NETWORK – in meaningful ways.
“What we really liked about creating the online game
with USA is that it not only introduces Taurus to millions of consumers
through the popularity of online gaming but provides them with a very
engaging way to experience the innovative technology and features in
the new Taurus,” he said.
If you would like to experience the Taurus in the new online game, please visit http://chasingtheshadow.usanetwork.com/ and click on the “games” tab at the top of the page.
