MotoGP 09/10 Updated Hands-On
Capcom and Monumental are returning with some big changes to its two-wheeled racer, and we've got an updated look.
Fans of the long-running MotoGP series have reason to be excited about Capcom's upcoming MotoGP 09/10 for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. The motorcycle racing game based on the real-world series is coming in spring 2010 with a new racing engine, new graphics, and some fresh twists on standard modes that look to add some zest back into what has become a pretty staid franchise in the past few years. Developed by Monumental Games (which includes former employees of Climax Motorsports, the studio that made the fondly remembered MotoGP games on the original Xbox), the game will be timed with the start of the 2010 MotoGP season, and yesterday, Capcom producers dropped by to give us some time with the latest build of the game.
We saw glimpses of both the Career and Arcade modes in our previous look at the game in November, but today we got a more extended explanation of how things will work. Both modes have been significantly upgraded, so let's kick things off with Career mode. In Capcom's previous MotoGP games, Career mode was as straightforward as possible: choose a team, drive race after race, wash, rinse, repeat. With 09/10, you won't only be in charge of making sure you keep your wheels straight on the track, but you'll also be responsible for keeping your team together off the track.
You kick off Career mode by choosing the name and look of your team. You'll have multiple designs to choose from for everything from your helmet to your riding leathers, your bike livery, and so on. From there you'll need to hire staff; there are two types of personnel you can hire: press agents and engineers. Each has its benefits, and as you progress through your career, you'll eventually open up additional slots to take on more staff.
Engineers are there to research new parts and technologies for your bike. Don't get too excited here--we're not talking about hyperspace drives tied to the sides of your rear wheel or anything. Instead, all of the tech is based on real-world parts you'd find on an actual MotoGP bike: brakes, tires, engine, gearbox, and so on. Of the engineers available for hire, each will have individual strengths and weaknesses--one might be stronger with gearboxes, another with brakes and tires. Depending on the focus of your development efforts, you'll want to hire the right personnel for the job.
In addition, all staff (including press agents, but more on them in a bit) have a level attached to them--the higher the level, the more skilled they are and the more money they'll require to work for you. As you continue your research on your bike, you might find a specific part that will require an engineer of a certain level to complete--if your engineers don't measure up, it might be time for a staff shake-up. Due to the number of items available to research in a season, you won't be able to max out your bike in a single season. The choice then becomes whether to move up to a new class with an unfamiliar, undeveloped technology, or stick in your current class and try to get the most out of your bike. One other interesting bit: If you decide to change teams in the middle of a season, you'll be riding on an untested bike and will have to start development from scratch. You'll have the luxury of time, however; unlike in last year's game, which capped Career mode at five seasons, Career mode in 09/10 is unlimited.
While engineers are focused on getting the most out of your bike, press agents are interested in getting the most out of you as a rider--namely in the form of sponsorships. Sponsorships will be available to you throughout the season, and your bike will have room for multiple logos, all tied to individual contracts with the sponsors. Each sponsorship you sign has a requirement associated with it in order to earn the associated cash--for example, one sponsor might require you to finish better than 10th in a race, while another might require a certain minimum spot in qualifying.
20 comments
moto gp streets was good... but ah what the hell ill gige it a try ..dont mind going blockbuster for a day or 2 lol
Cannot wait. I for one enjoyed Mgp 2007, didn't bother with 08 (not enough to make me want to buy it), but this looks cool
sort out the handling please!!!!!! get rid of the hinge in the middle and no sense of grip. in other words just copy the handling from tourist trophy on ps2. that`s the closest that games can get to real riding. thats 10 years exp on the road, and the couch talking.
To be bluntly honest none of the mgp games for years have been any good, 06 was alright at best, the best bike racing game you can get your hands on by miles is either GP500 or Superbike 01, yes they are old but they are miles better than anything pushed out lately, climax really made lots of messes with their versions, if you have never tried the above 2 games and you are a bike fan, give them a go, GP500 still gets lots of community mods for BSB and so on also.
I am witholding judgement until I play it. From what I have read, some of the guys from the original CLIMAX team are working on this version as well. I have high hopes, and I am sure this will be better than the '08 game we suffered through. Give us simmers what we need Capcom!
@MERGATROYDER - I could not agree with you more! '06 was really the last REAL MotoGP. Since then the only word I can come up with for describing '07 & '08 and apparently 09/10 is "BLASPHEMY"! Oh well...maybe 11 will return us MotoGP'ers to our roots...that's if it even gets developed.
So a racing game that has realistic encounters with your team PR guy but not a lick of real-world bike handling, or realistic character and bike models? What a waste. Why pay for a license if you're going to make it into another Burnout-type game where you reward players for driving/riding without skill? When was the last time you saw an F1 arcade game? Why is it that all games nowadays must be dumbed down for the lowest common denominator? Whatever happened to customizeable difficulty? Make a sim for the people who LOVE the license (ie: myself) and then if need be, make a dummy-mode for the people who dont want to spend more then 20min trying to get a hang of the handling and braking. As a massive supporter of the sport this game looks to be a bitter dissapointment and wasted oppurtunity.
I hope when Brian said "new engine" that meant "upgraded". I'm not particularly into racing games and I only play them occassionally. And in case of MotoGP specifically I guess this is an upgraded version of the engine they developed for the first MotoGP on the 360. (Btw, just cashing in on the opportunity for an unrelated rant) But in general, for other games, when people talk about developing a new engine - even if it is for a franchise - it bugs me. I mean it just seems like SUCH a massive waste of time and effort to develop a generic-looking engine when there are so many perfectly capable engines out there available for licensing. Now I know licensing may not be as simple as it looks, but I'll limit myself at this point to saying that even beyond all the complications and cost concerns it does seem like too few companies are opting for the licensing route.
looks cool but the thing is i never really liked bike racing games too much becasue i always crash and fall off and i feel like i can never catch up after that... also, "PitchBlack999" stated how this was the "most stupidest trailer" ...
This was the most stupidest trailer of any video game i have ever seen...i would still prefer the moto gp 2...so many flaws are shown in the trailer itself so jst forget about the game....i used to be such a big fan but since capcom has taken charge, they have screwed it for me..n WTH is at 1.20 to 1.21?? he just flies off...bad
Yet another game for 10 year olds. MGP08 was an arcade-y game but at least had a couple sim elements. Looks like the last bit of realism in MGP series died with this game. The bike modeling in the video is awful, and above all it's obvious that "reach a wider audience" (translated: We need more money let's sell this to little kids) is campcom's motto. Those timed checkpoint races in the videos posted before almost made me cry, at least MGP08 (being a really arcade game) didn't have the green line on the floor. I am extremely dissappointed in this game and the terribly modeled cartoon-like bikes and riders are not helping at all. For what I've seen campcom is losing each and every faithful follower of the real MotoGP series, but we can't blame them, making games for 10 year olds is far more profitable than making game for a serious audience who really appreciate bikes and racing. I still have a little hope that there will be a realistic mode in this game or at least a good Superbike '10 to play next year.
And i thought Motogp08 was arcadey! Urgh a Rewind? Will there be any sim racers on consoles ever again???? SBK'10 you are my only hope... please be good and realistic like SBK08 and not arcadey crap like Motogp08 & SBK09
I really wish they would stay true to what made '06 such a great title. The past 3 titles have lacked originality and realism.
Long as they leave all this gimmicky stuff out of career mode i'll be happy, also hope the handlign isn't really twitchy, some of the other video's the collision detection/crashes are awful, you hit a guy side on he slides sideways for 50 metres and carries on!!!
These games are fun for the speed and graphics, and it looks like this version will keep that.
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Game Info
- Release Date: Mar 23, 2010 (US)
- ESRB: ETitles rated E (Everyone) have content that may be suitable for ages 6 and older.
MotoGP 09/10 Navigation
