Rolls-Royce has revealed an extraordinary bespoke creation for a Perth-based client, blending ultimate luxury with nostalgic video game aesthetics. The Black Badge Ghost Gamer represents a unique automotive commission that pays homage to 1970s and 1980s arcade culture while maintaining the brand's legendary craftsmanship.
From Arcade to Automotive Excellence
This remarkable vehicle transforms the luxury driving experience into an immersive gaming adventure. Joshua McCandless, bespoke designer for Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, explained the creative process behind this extraordinary project. The design team immersed themselves in vintage gaming aesthetics, studying everything from original arcade cabinet artwork to the distinctive colour palettes of classic games.
"We wanted the client to feel that the motor car itself was an immersive experience," McCandless revealed. "Every time they step inside, it recreates the same thrill they felt when pressing 'start' on an arcade machine for the very first time."
Exterior Gaming Details
The vehicle's exterior showcases a stunning two-tone finish with Salamanca Blue as the main body colour and Crystal over Diamond Black for the upper section. This colour scheme echoes the super-metallic, neon-lit aesthetic of classic arcade hardware.
Most striking is the handpainted "cheeky alien" coachline motif that runs along the vehicle's side. Created from 89 individual pixels measuring just 3mm by 3mm each, this design perfectly captures the bit-mapped graphics of early video games. The motif appears with pink eight-bit explosion designs on one side and yellow and blue variations on the other.
Completing the exterior transformation are an illuminated Spirit of Ecstasy hood ornament, black brake callipers, and 22-inch seven-spoke forged Black Badge wheels.
Interior Gaming Experience
Inside, the gaming theme continues with meticulous attention to detail. The seats feature embroidery in eight-bit font style declaring "Player 1" and "Player 2" in front, with "Player 3" and "Player 4" in the rear. Each headrest showcases block-colour cheeky alien embroideries made from 89 individual pixels per design.
The rear "waterfall" area between seats features Black Badge technical fibre with an intricate design showing two stainless steel flying saucer spaceships hovering above a handpainted lunar scene. This artwork was applied using traditional brushwork, specialised sponge techniques, and airbrush blending.
Rear passengers enjoy luxury amenities including a crystal whisky decanter with two glasses and a champagne fridge with two flutes, ensuring the gaming experience doesn't compromise traditional Rolls-Royce comfort.
Starlight Headliner and Illuminated Features
The starlight headliner presents one of the vehicle's most spectacular features. A formation of 80 bit-mapped battle cruisers spans the ceiling, each crafted using hand-placed fibre-optic lights. The marque's signature shooting star function has been reprogrammed to simulate laser fire, with beams of light pulsing across the ceiling.
The illuminated fascia evokes laser base backdrops from early games and includes a gunship composed of 85 individual stars. Bespoke illuminated treadplates display classic arcade-game prompts like "PRESS START," "LOADING," "LEVEL UP," and "INSERT COIN" in eight-bit graphic lettering.
James Figueroa, Rolls-Royce Perth general manager, described the collaboration: "The Perth client approached me envisioning something truly extraordinary. Through close collaboration with our Rolls-Royce design team, we brought that vision to life."
The Black Badge Ghost starts from $949,000 before personalisation and features a 6.75-litre twin-turbocharged V12 engine producing 450kW (603bhp) and 840Nm of torque. The all-wheel drive vehicle accelerates from 0-100km/h in 4.8 seconds while maintaining the brand's signature smooth ride.
