Xbox revealed that they have a new special collaboration with Mattel for Barbie, just in time for the release of Greta Gerwig’s upcoming fantasy comedy film Barbie.
If you have Forza Horizon now, you can already be a part of this. The in-game Message Center will have a message that gives you Barbie’s and Ken’s rides to race with right now. Barbie has a bright pink 1956 Chevrolet EV Corvette, while Ken is carrying a 2022 GMC Hummer EV Pickup, complete with 1980s-style lightning accents on the side.
It seems that Xbox has actually involved themselves with the Barbie movie promotion. As they point out (spoilers for Barbie movie here, really), the Barbie movie will feature different Barbies taking on many different careers. Subsequently, Xbox will release a special video showing some real life women with careers matching those shown in the Barbie movie. Of course, they will feature some of their own game developers, in particular also working on the Forza franchise.
Now, to get Xbox fans excited, Microsoft has also arranged for a special promotion. They have prepared several dolls in the Barbie line they have singled out for Barbie having the most diverse doll line in the market today. Those dolls were outfitted with special Xbox themed clothing and gear. That includes Barbie sized Xbox consoles and game controllers, including even the Adaptive controller.
Microsoft has also partnered with SCUF to make some special Barbie-themed SCUF Instinct Custom Controller faceplates. These are not Xbox’s original Xbox Series controllers, but SCUF’s own customizable Xbox controller line. There’s a total of five Barbie themed faceplates that they are also giving away.
But the pièce de résistance of this promotion is a special Barbie pink Xbox Series S. This particular Xbox Series S even has its own Barbie Dreamhouse, complete with all the dollhouse accoutrement, and even the Barbie logo emblazoned in front of the console.
Microsoft is not putting any of these for sale, but you can get a chance to win these Xbox themed dolls in an international sweepstakes. On the other hand, the Barbie Dreamhouse Xbox Series S will be part of a special promotion starting this July 10. Xbox has yet to elaborate, but it seems you can use your Microsoft and Xbox Rewards points towards earning a chance to get the pink console.
It’s a fun and unexpected little promotion, that maybe could give Microsoft and its peers some ideas on how to better cater their products to doll enthusiasts, seeing as women are already a huge part of gaming as it is.
