The future of official FIM Motocross World Championship (MXGP) games looks to be in doubt based on an official statement from series developer Milestone.
The Italian studio is also responsible for the Monster Energy Supercross gaming franchise but confirmed a new MXGP game would not be happening this year
“As a reference point for lovers of two-wheel racing video games, it was difficult for us to make the decision not to release a new chapter of the MXGP series,” read the statement.
“However, our love for dirt bikes is far from over; see you at a new start gate,” it concluded.
When Traxion.GG asked for clarification – if this is a year off, or no further MXGP titles altogether – Milestone declined to elaborate further.
Naturally, the disappearance of any officially licenced series from gaming is a bitter blow, but the statement suggests Milestone will continue to work on off-road motorcycle games in future – although this likely refers to Monster Energy Supercross 6, which is set to release in March this year.
If MXGP 2021 does end up being Milestone’s final FIM Motocross World Championship game it will conclude the developers’ longest-running franchise after the MotoGP series. Milestone’s first MXGP game, MXGP: The Official Motocross Videogame, was released on the 18th of November 2014, with sequels following consistently every 12 months (except in 2015).
Milestone’s future
Arguably, the MXGP games have lagged behind the Supercross series in recent times, with Traxion.GG’s review of MXGP 2021 suggesting that “it’s time to innovate further with the next instalment”.
Tellingly, MXGP 2021 achieved only a ‘Consider’ review score as opposed to Monster Energy Supercross 5‘s ‘Wishlist’, despite the two titles sharing a game engine and essential gaming mechanics.
However, Milestone is not turning its back on motorcycle games completely as it looks to build on its first official World Superbike Championship game for 10 years (SBK 22), the MotoGP franchise and its next entry in the Ride series of games.
Are you disappointed there won’t be an MXGP game this year? Let us know in the comments below.
