Can’t get enough of MotoGP? Have we got news for you. Milestone, the developer of MotoGP 14, has just released a brand new DLC pack for the racing sim, and we’ve got all the exclusive details on it. The Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup adds a whole new racing category to the already existing ones – MotoGP, Moto2 and Moto3 – as well as a bumper roster update and a brand new bike to boot. Want a look-see? Here’s the world-first trailer for the game.
Just like in real GP, you’ll be able to ride as one of 24 rookie riders on the official tracks with up-and-coming teenage stars including Bo Bendsneyder, Darryn Binder, Enzo Boulom and Simon Danilo all represented. If that’s not enough, the KTM RC 250 R Bike used in the cup also makes its debut. The update is out right now, but to find out more, we caught up with MotoGP 14 game director Andrea Basilio to hear just how the partnership came about and what’s next for the series. Read on for the Q&A!
Hey Andrea! Tell us about your role in the DLC.
The DLC Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup came up into the designers’ mind because everyone at Milestone Team is very passionate about the MotoGP championship and we pay close attention to the new young stars that feature in it.
The Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup is a trend setter in this segment, and we wanted to offer players the chance to put themselves in the boots of a young rider. The structure of the game is based on a progression from Moto3 to MotoGP class, driving the player up the podium.
How did the partnership come about?
We were encouraged by Dorna (the company behind MotoGP) to include the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup into the MotoGP Game and all the team at Milestone were very enthusiastic about the idea. We all believe that including this highly competitive championship will provide added value to the game.
Does the whole development team work on the DLC for the game? How long for?
The development of the full MotoGP 14 game involved more than 200 people for around a year and a half.
The development of the DLC uses of course resources from across all our departments such as graphics, artists, programming, R&D and in the first instance designers. In fact, designers have to think about how the DLC Rookies Cup has to be structured into the game, starting from the physics – close to Moto3, but tailored to the real RBRC – to the menus and the systems that manage the bikes and rider’s behaviours. Then, our services department collected all the references such as suits, liveries, etcetera in order to include them into the game. Finally, our 3D artists worked on the models of the bike and the riders, making them like the real ones. The entire process took around three months. I can proudly say that the final results will be astonishing and really entertaining for the players and all the MotoGP fans.
Is everyone at Milestone a big MotoGP fan?
Yes, I can confirm that there are a lot of fans in the Milestone Team. Since the beginning, Milestone DNA includes a double racing helix that influences and drives all the games we develop. Thanks to the partnership with Dorna we had the chance to attend several GPs. Plus, we’ve learned a lot about the environment, the riders’ lives, and supporters’ lives in the public area and the paddock that is a precious source of inspiration for our games, especially MotoGP 14. For the Rookies Cup in particular, we had the chance to take a closer look at the new starts such as Almoguera, Mihara and Manzi.
Do any of the riders come into help test the game or provide extra detail?
For the development of MotoGP 14 we had the chance to host several riders including Jorge Lorenzo, the NGM Forward Racing Team, the Go&Fun riders, the Pramac Team and more… but we’re creating even more partnerships for next year, including Red Bull riders and the young ones from the Rookies Cup. For us it’s extremely important to have these bonds with the riders. All the feedback we’ve collected from their side has been implemented into the game and has helped create an experience much closer to the real motorsport.
What goes into creating these virtual renditions of real riders? Do you analyse their abilities, is it just a new uniform?
The system that manage the riders’ and bikes’ behaviour is very complex. We carefully monitor the MotoGP and, in this particular case, RBRC season – tests, GPs and so on – in order to collect all the data that we used in the game. Each rider and each bike has its own physics, behaviour and performance that reflect the real one in order to create a riding experience closer to the real one. For example, riders have a skill based on their attitude – riding better on wet, or riding better on that specific corner. All these elements combined create a rider almost 1:1 to the real one.
A new bike has also been added – can you tell us what details go into creating a bike in MotoGP 14?
The process behind a bike’s creation is very complex and articulated. Take for example the KTM RC 250 R Bike that will be added with the RBRC DLC. It’s similar to the rider creation process: we start analysing the characteristic of each bike, its behaviour and power, then we collect all the graphics elements. Once the reference work has been done and collected, our vehicle artists start to model the 3D assets. The designers and programmers then work on the physics. The aim is to differentiate each bike from the other ones. Especially in a game, such as MotoGP, where the bike’s behaviour impacts on the performances and the results, we need to pay particular attention to all these elements.
Are you allowed to give us any hints about what to expect next from the team?
Our work is always based on our community’s feedback. As for the RBRC DLC, that was requested several times by our racing fans, all the features are created according to what players want. Right now we’re starting to work on the new chapter of the series, and we’re collecting all the thoughts of the community. For example we have a strong partnership with a UK forum where users are invited to give us suggestion and advice on the game. For sure we wil have plenty of new features for MotoGP 15 and incredible new ideas. I can’t say more, but stay tuned and you’ll see.
The Red Bull Moto GP Rookies Cup DLC will be available from September 10 for PS4, PS3, PS Vita, Xbox 360, Windows PC and Steam starting at €2.99, or free with the MotoGP 14 Season Pass. For more details visit www.motogpvideogame.com.
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