Video game publishers pay tribute to Ken Block

Tributes from video game publishers have poured in following the untimely death of motorsport legend Ken Block.

Ken Block and his iconic vehicle were featured in a number of video games, including Gran Turismo 7. Picture: Sony

Tributes have poured in from video game publishers following the death of legendary American rally driver Ken Block, who passed away in a snowmobile accident at the age of 55.

According to Utah police, Block was “riding a snowmobile on a steep slope when the snowmobile upended, landing on top of him”. The untimely death was announced by Hoonigan, the racing team founded by Block, on Instagram.

“It’s with our deepest regrets that we can confirm that Ken Block passed away in a snowmobile accident today,” Hoonigan said in its Instagram post, “Ken was a visionary, a pioneer and an icon. And, most importantly, a father and husband. He will be incredibly missed”.

Following the announcement, thousands of tributes poured in on social media, paying respects to the late driver. Among them were a number of video game publishers, with whom Block had worked on a multitude of racing video games.

The Forza Motorsport account took to Twitter, saying “Ken Block from The Hoonigans had a huge influence on the motorsports community around the world. Our deepest condolences to his family. You will be missed, Ken”.

@kblock43 from @TheHoonigans had a huge influence on the motorsports community around the world. Our deepest condolences to his family.

You will be missed, Ken. pic.twitter.com/DUuE7401vu

— Forza Motorsport (@ForzaMotorsport) January 3, 2023

Forza Horizon’s team also paid its respects on Twitter.

“Devastating news about the loss of Ken Block. He was a legend in motorsports and will be dearly missed. Our deepest condolences to his family and the team at The Hoonigans”.

Gran Turismo took a more reserved approach in its post, posting an image of Block’s in-game model with the caption “RIP Ken Block. A legend lost too soon”.

While Block was best known for his driving, he also competed in skateboarding and snowboarding events throughout his career. He co-founded DC Shoes alongside designer Damon Way, and later expanded the Hoonigan brand to include apparel.

Ken Block drifting his Ford Mustang, which has featured in a number of video games. Picture: Hoonigan

Block was hugely influential in both motorsports, where he was best known for gymkhana-style racing, and video games. He appeared as the featured driver in 2009’s Colin McRae: Dirt 2, and went on to be a driver and gymkhana teacher in 2011’s Dirt 3.

His Hoonigan-branded vehicle was featured in 2012’s Dirt: Showdown, as well as in Microsoft’s Forza video games, both the main Motorsport series, and in the arcade racing spin-off Horizon series.

Written by Oliver Brandt on behalf of GLHF.