Rolls-Royce'S Black Badge Ghost Gamer Edition Alludes To Classic Arcade Games

A "Cheeky Alien" and "Plxel Blaster" are included among the 8-Bit-themed Easter Eggs in customised Rolls.

Rolls-Royce

Someone should inform Pac-Man that he faces an additional ghost to confront. The 8-bit age of gaming unexpectedly inspired the latest unique automobile produced by Rolls-Royce's Bespoke division. Although it may appear clichéd in idea, the final product effectively amalgamates premier 21st-century coachbuilding with 1980s video arcades.

The Black Badge Ghost Gamer's exterior showcases a two-tone finish, with Salamanca Blue on the main body and Crystal over Diamond Black on the upper body, reflecting an abstract automobile interpretation of arcade cabinet colour schemes and displays. A clearer reference to the topic is the “Cheeky Alien,” a vintage design composed of 89 hand-painted 3mm by 3mm “pixel” squares that emerges above the coachline.

Rolls-Royce

“Cheeky Alien” serves as the precursor to the interior's array of geek-inspired features, commencing with seatback embroideries inscribed with “Player 1” to “Player 4” in an 8-bit neon typeface and headrests adorned with the pixelated alien figure. The carbon fibre section between the rear seats, referred to as the “Waterfall,” showcases inlaid stainless steel flying saucers positioned above a hand-painted lunar depiction, inspired by early video game cabinets, according to Rolls-Royce. The ostensibly uncomplicated image needed over two weeks of preparation and multiple paint swatches before being manually crafted with a combination of brushwork and sponging method.

Above the scene is a "Pixel Blaster" interpretation of the starlight headliner, showcasing a formation of 80 bitmapped battlecruisers that have appropriated Rolls-Royce's iconic "shooting star" light display to replicate laser fire. The dashboard similarly showcases a gunship made up of 85 distinct stars that light up in succession to produce the appearance of movement. The commission is finalised with the “Cheeky Alien’s” concluding depiction on the back picnic table and lighted treadplates inscribed with “PRESS START,” “LOADING…,” “LEVEL UP,” and “INSERT COIN.”

This Black Badge variant is equipped with the high-performance version of Rolls-Royce's 6.75-liter V12 engine, with 603 horsepower and 664 pound-feet of torque, enabling acceleration to 60 mph in 4 seconds. Although the base car likely cost the client approximately $420,000, the expense of the "Gamer" facelift remains indeterminate. “Throughout the month, we delved into the 8-bit aesthetic that characterised late 1970s and early 1980s gaming—from the games themselves and archival images of arcade venues to original promotional and cabinet artwork,” stated Rolls-Royce Bespoke designer Joshua McCandless.