How does car licensing work?

How does car licensing work?

Am just interested, as I can see arguments for cash/support each way.

If I were a sports car manufacturer, provided I trusted the developer not to show my car in a bad light, I’d support them and want it in the game. I’d provide, or at least work with, the developer to send them 3D models and specs etc etc. And I’d do that because I assume “desire” for sports cars works on a pyramid. If I can make 1,000,000 people want my car, and 100,000 go mist up the window of my dealership, and 1000 come inside, and 100 actually buy one I’d be happy , because for the 100 that buy it feels more special (and hence they’d pay more ) because there was 999,900 people “desiring” one.

But then, I guess car companies are commercial animals, and they know that to have their car in the game, makes the game more appealing – and hence could suggest a licensing fee.



I just wondered how it works. Anyone know?

 

You sign contract with manufacturers, which will limit how you can use the car ( damage, visual tuning, liveries, colors ....)
You agree on price and PAY when you sign - not after you make profit - so you can lose money , they don't care
Some manufacturers are way more expensive then other but generally it ain't cheap

 

Yep, big companies like Ferrari can ask for a big fee, but since it's such a famous manufacturer many game developers gladly pay anyway. If there were no Ferrari's in AC people would be yelling and begging for them, but they're here, so now they can yell about what models Kunos choose to include in the game instead.

 

Thanks for your answers, and sorry I just saw that someone asked (nearly) the same question in the Dream Car thread yesterday. Apologies, I wasnt following that thread.
But.. I still see/think that its a symbiotic not one way relationship and how it drives sales both ways. And if I were a car maker (particularily a low volume one) , I'd definately want to push my product through this sort of channel to raise its profile and stoke the fires of desirability.

 

Sometimes i wonder whether all manufacturers will ask for a fee for big selling games like GT series...for example Mercedes have the vision concept in GT6..i doubt polyphony wouldve paid a fee in that situation...if anything Mercedes may have paid them a fee.. the positive press Mercedes had was tremendous.

 

I pretty sure that is why lotus have so many cars in the game as they won't be asking for large amounts of money like other bigger car companies would do.
on the case of prices i don't think Ferrari charge an awful amount for licences but i do know that Lamborghini are very strict on giving out licencing deals hence why they are only in the console racing games (forza and gt)