Motorsport Games Reclaims BTCC License

Touring car fans rejoiced when Motorsport Games announced the development of a new BTCC game with an expected 2022 release. However, after numerous delays, TOCA terminated its agreement with Motorsport Games, citing “fundamental breaches of the agreement by Motorsport Games.”

As a result, the official BTCC game was canceled, and all BTCC branding was removed from rFactor 2.

Now, in a surprise twist, Motorsport Games has reclaimed the BTCC license.

Motorsport Games and BTCC reach “amicable resolution”

In a press release, Motorsport Games announced it has reached an “amicable resolution of its previous licensing dispute” with the BTCC. With Motorsport Games reclaiming the license, rFactor 2 will continue hosting BTCC content until the end of 2026, with all BTCC branding restored immediately.

Currently, rFactor 2 lets you race eight BTCC cars, including the BMW 330e M Sport and Ford Focus, along with iconic tracks such as Brands Hatch, Donington Park, and Thruxton.

In the short term, all BTCC branding will be restored in rFactor 2, but no new cars or circuits have been announced yet. Several official BTCC circuits, such as Silverstone and Oulton Park, are absent in rFactor 2, but the new agreement means they may be added in the future.

Potentially, the new agreement could also bring the BTCC game back from the dead.

Will the BTCC game resume development?

“We are delighted to have reached an agreement with the British Touring Car Championship (BTCC), resolving our dispute while simultaneously establishing a new licensing agreement,” said Stephen Hood, CEO of Motorsport Games.

“This collaboration not only enables us to enhance our current offerings with BTCC content in rFactor 2 but also lays the foundations for an exciting future collaboration. I have long held the BTCC in high regard and introducing the first fully-fledged experience of this incredible racing series to sim racer’s homes through rFactor 2 was a standout moment. We anticipate a strong relationship with the BTCC in the years ahead.”

BTCC Chief Executive, Alan Gow, added: “The BTCC content within rFactor 2 was incredibly well received by our fans and the sim racing fraternity – so this new agreement provides for our BTCC content to continue to be updated and rolled out through to the end of 2026. I’ve no doubt this news will be very welcomed by sim racers everywhere.”

Currently, Studio 397 is focusing on updates, bug fixes, and new content for Le Mans Ultimate. However, Hood’s comments about “an exciting future collaboration” possibly hint that the BTCC game will resume development in the future if an agreement can be reached.

Before that can happen, Motorsport Games needs to resolve its ongoing financial issues.

The "non-exclusive" agreement implies that the license could be handed to a different developer to work on a dedicated game, while Studio 397 continues adding official BTCC content to rFactor 2. We hope Codemasters is paying attention. 

Are you happy about Motorsport Games reclaiming the BTCC license? Let us know in the comments below.

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