Video games have grown from a fringe group of fanatics to a major media presence, and these days the budget of a big video game title can easily rival that of a major Hollywood blockbuster. This has meant a surge in video game tie-ins as companies seek to promote themselves and their products through interactive media. And you might be surprised at some of the companies getting involved.

Shelby American announced today that it has teamed up with Electronic Arts to build and auction off a one-off Shelby GT500 Super Snake “Need for Speed” Edition. This Mustang will raise money for the Carroll Shelby Foundation to help sick children.

The Shelby is being used to promote the latest entry in the Need for Speed franchise, Need for Speed: The Run. Unlike previous games, this racing game will be story driven, and a central vehicle in all the advertising has been none other than the GT500 Super Snake. So Shelby and EA decided to team up and produce a special one-off edition.

It will be painted in Wimbledon White with special customized gray racing stripes and a Need for Speed sticker on the front bumper. But other than the paint scheme, it seems like your average, 750 horsepower run-of-the-mill GT500 Super Snake. That also means a Ford Racing handling pack, customized black-on-black interior, and all the other goodies one would expect from a top-of-the-line Mustang. We wonder if the auction includes a copy of the game too? ‘Cause it should!