While the rest of the country is feeling the pinch of what may be another impending recession, video game developers apparently have no problems in giving away sports cars.

In what appears to be a response to Electronic Arts' generosity, Microsoft, the developer of the Forza Motorsport->ke3733 video game franchise, is prepared to hand the keys of a real 2012 BMW M5 to a lucky gamer.

Since the new M5 can be seen in all its mug on the cover of Forza 4, it only seemed appropriate that Microsoft would be choosing the car as its contest prize. In fact, Microsoft went as far as teaming up with BMW themselves to create a virtual contest within the game called the 'BMW M5 Forza Cup.' The objective is pretty simple, too. All you need to do is post the fastest virtual lap time of the M5.

In a statement released recently, Microsoft went with the specifics as to how gamers can join the contest. “This competition allows gamers who have signed up as members of the Xbox Live online community or at www.bmw.de/forza4 to push for the quickest time in the new BMW M5.

Visitors to selected BMW branches, BMW Welt in Munich and the BMW showroom in Berlin will also have the chance to enter the competition. The 16 finalists will lock horns in the final of the BMW M5 Forza Cup at BMW Welt on November 26 2011.”

The winner, of course, will walk home with a brand new 2012 BMW M5.

Game on, people!

.