Capcom® a leading worldwide developer and publisher of videogames, has today confirmed that MotoGP 08 will be released across Europe on Friday 24th October. The title will be available for the Xbox 360® video game entertainment system from Microsoft, Sony Computer Entertainment’s PLAYSTATION®3 (PS3™) and PlayStation® 2 entertainment system and PC platform. This is the first MotoGP title to be released under Capcom’s five year deal with Dorna Sports, which provides exclusive rights to publish video games based on the world’s premier motorcycle championship across all hardware platforms.

The official game of the 2008 season, MotoGP 08 features all the official riders, bikes and tracks from this year’s event whilst being packed full with new features. MotoGP 08 marks the debut of the series on the PLAYSTATION®3 and the introduction of the all new Indianapolis track in the US and the spectacle of night racing at the Qatar circuit.

New for 2008, players will be thrown into the centre of the MotoGP experience by joining a team and competing alongside their sporting heroes as themselves, in all three race classes – 125cc, 250cc and MotoGP. Recent MotoGP titles have excluded 125cc and 250cc and Capcom is keen to ensure that all riders are faithfully represented, providing gamers with a different racing experience as they proceed through each class. The game features a competitive AI which adjusts within limits to give a more enjoyable race experience on the lower levels but shows no mercy in the higher levels.

Also new for MotoGP 08 is the tutorial mode. Player’s will be able to decide what motorcycle and racing style suits them best, but rather than taking players ‘out of the main game’, this mode will transport them immediately into an arcade race which offers hints and tips from the start. For the first time in the MotoGP games players will be able to create their own rider and develop their racing skills for up to 5 seasons with the aim of becoming the ultimate MotoGP champion. After choosing a team and bike class players can customise their riders’ helmet design. As races are won the stronger teams will be looking to recruit for the following season, enabling players to race better performing bikes.

In championship race mode players can select any class, rider and team and recreate the entire 2008 season. Practice and qualifying modes are optional whilst the weather conditions, difficulty setting, number of laps and handling model can also be decided, allowing players to shape their own season. Before each race players can tweak the set-up of their bike, including changing tyres, suspension settings and gear ratios. For those players who aren’t happy with their performance then the practice racing circuit can be tried out alone in free practice mode, or choose a quick race where players can choose their favourite track, rider, difficulty level, bike class, riding model, transmission type, number of laps and weather conditions before starting their race. If all that wasn’t enough then there are 50 unique challenges for players ambitious enough to accept them which on completion will reward players with hidden content.
The PLAYSTATION®3, Xbox 360® and PC titles will allow players to set up their own match and pit their riding skills against up to 12 friends across the globe in a number of online modes competing for that all important first place. The Xbox 360® version will also include headset voice chat support and ranked matches, leader boards, friends, reserve slots, invites and of course achievements.