The 2017 Ford GT that graced the cover of Forza Motorsport 6 is being auctioned to raise valuable funds for SpecialEffect’s ongoing work. This rare and highly sought-after supercar has kindly been donated by Alan Hartman, former Head of Xbox Games Studios and a longstanding honorary Vice President of the charity. The auction, hosted by Bring a Trailer, runs from 5am Pacific time on 15 May and will end at 10am Pacific time on Friday 23 May.
This iconic 2017 Ford GT is one of only 138 made that year, and has most often been seen on display in the lobby of the Turn 10 Studios HQ in Washington. A revered American classic, the supercar boasts a top speed of 216 mph and reaches 60 mph in under three seconds. This unique opportunity will allow automotive enthusiasts, gaming enthusiasts, and philanthropists alike to bid on a prestigious vehicle, with the winner knowing they will be making a direct contribution to the development and provision of life-changing assistive technologies for individuals with disabilities.
Marked by his passion for innovation and for gaming, Alan Hartman recently retired after 30 years at Microsoft, most recently as head of Xbox Games Studios. He worked on a range of projects from Age of Empires to Brute Force as the studio head of Digital Anvil, to the founding of Turn 10 Studios. Over the years, Alan, Turn 10 and Playground Games delivered 14 Forza Motorsport and Forza Horizon games, building Forza into one of the top racing franchises in the world. During this time Forza also became one of the most popular games enjoyed by disabled gamers across the globe, with in-game assistive control innovations personally championed by Alan himself.
“We are incredibly grateful to Alan for this remarkable opportunity,” said Dr Mick Donegan, MBE, the Founder and CEO of SpecialEffect. “I was fortunate enough to have had the pleasure of sitting in the car when I last met Alan on a visit to Turn 10, but this auction is not just about a stunning supercar, it’s about making a tangible difference in the lives of people with physical challenges right across the world through the innovative use of technology. The core of our work is to optimise inclusion, enjoyment and quality of life by helping people control video games to the best of their abilities for as long as they need us.”
Alan became aware of SpecialEffect via their work with Playground Games, and first visited our HQ in Oxfordshire in 2017. As the relationship grew, he was invited to become an honorary Vice President of the charity a year later in 2018.
The donation is a testament to Alan’s deep commitment to SpecialEffect and his unwavering support to help make gaming accessible to all.
“I’ve seen first-hand the incredible work that SpecialEffect does, and I’m honoured to be able to contribute in this way,” said Alan. “They not only bring joy to so many, but they provide a north star for the entire gaming industry as we strive to create a level playing field for every gamer. It is a privilege to support them and I hope this auction encourages others to get involved and help support this amazing charity.”
As one of the primary beneficiaries of the auction, proceeds will go directly to SpecialEffect. Funds raised will support their team of occupational therapists and gaming specialists in the UK who create bespoke control setups for hundreds of individuals each year, who also develop freely-available resources and solutions to help level the playing field for gamers with physical challenges all over the world.
The auction will be managed by Bring a Trailer, with online bidding available to participants. Alan has made this donation to establish a US-based donor-advised fund, ultimately managed by Seattle Foundation, whereby the auction proceeds will benefit charitable causes. Grateful thanks also go to The Shop Club Seattle for their valuable assistance.