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.

Release Date: October 24th
Genre: Racing
Platform: Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PC, PS2
Rating: PEGI 3+
Developer: Milestone
Price: TBC

Game Description:
The official game of the 2008 season, MotoGP 08 features all the official riders, bikes and tracks from this year’s event providing the definitive 2 wheeled racing experience.

The development team’s overriding aim is to deliver an unparalleled handling model that allows access points for gamers of all skill levels and just as importantly provide a challenge to meet each player’s abilities.

ALL 3 MOTOGP CLASSES
MotoGP 08 puts the player at the centre of the MotoGP experience by letting them join a team and compete alongside their sporting heroes in all three race classes – 125cc, 250cc and MotoGP. Recent MotoGP titles had excluded 125cc and 250cc at a cost and Capcom is keen to ensure that all the riders are faithfully represented, which also enables complete progression through the ranks as well as giving the gamer a different racing experience per class. The game features a scaled and 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.

TUTORIAL MODE
Also new for this year is a tutorial mode. This allows the player to decide what motorcycle and racing style suits them best. But rather than the tutorial mode taking players ‘out of the main game’, this mode will transport them immediately into an arcade race and offers hints and tips from the beginning. By pressing START players can pause the game, allowing them to test out and alter the racing model (from ‘Arcade’ to ‘Advanced’ or ‘Simulation’), change transmission options or leave the tutorial mode entirely. Players can also choose the option to automatically see live tips whilst playing, where the game will judge riding style and offer help and advice where needed.

MAIN MODES
Career mode – new for this year is the ability for players to create their own rider (in previous MotoGP titles you’ve only been able to select an existing rider of the MotoGP event) and develop their racing skills for up to 5 seasons with the aim of becoming the ultimate MotoGP champion. Choosing a team and bike class at the beginning of each season, riders can make customisations through a selection of bike helmet designs that unlock as players progress. As races are won, stronger teams will be looking to recruit for the following season, enabling players to race better performing bikes. As progress is made players will also be able to access certain bike upgrades which improve the rider’s performance across a range of parameters such as straight line speed, acceleration, braking and cornering.

Quick race – Players can choose their favourite track, rider, difficulty level, bike class, riding model, transmission type, number of laps and weather conditions and go race.

Time Attack – set the best time at each circuit, competing against yourself to shave vital seconds off your personal record. Select the circuit and rider and off you go. Players decide whether they want a ghost rider to compete against, improving where they can to beat their previous lap times.

Championship – Select any class, rider and team and compete in and re-create 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. During the championship rider standings can be checked to see where players rank and view individual performance statistics for the real aficionados. If players are still not happy with their own performance the practice racing circuit can be tried out alone (solo) in free practice mode.

CHALLENGES
If that wasn’t enough there are 50 unique challenges for players ambitious enough to accept them. On completing the challenges players will be rewarded with hidden content. The challenges are divided up into the following categories:

Speed – stay above the speed indicated and finish inside the allotted time
Brakes – Use a limited amount of braking sparingly to complete a circuit of the track
Racing Line – Don’t stray too far from the optimal racing line
Checkpoint – Reach each checkpoint before the time runs out in order to complete the lap
Single race – Compete in an actual race scenario from MotoGP
Championship – Compete in an actual championship scenario taken from MotoGP
1 vs.1 – Beat a single opponent to the finish line on the final sector of a circuit

ONLINE
Playstation 3, Xbox360 and PC will allow you and up to 12 friends to race on any track from the MotoGP season. Online players will be free to select any bike from the 125cc, 250cc and GP class and race any of the manufacturer bikes, competing in individual races. Players will have the ability to set up a custom match search and create their own match setting of up to twelve players in total. The 360 version will include headset voice chat support. Also for the Xbox360 there will be ranked matches (which affect your online Live ranking), leader boards, friends, reserve slots, invites and of course achievements.

MotoGP 08 will also mark the debut of the series on both the PlayStation 3.

New for 2008 is also the inclusion of the all new Indianopolis track in the US (the home of US racing) plus the spectacle of night racing at the Qatar circuit.


SUMMARY

Features:

• Three different handling models - arcade, intermediate and simulation - provide varied racing experiences and accessibility for all
• Ride as yourself and compete against riders from the world’s premier motorcycling championship – racing up to 33 opponents
• Select from 125cc, 250cc and MotoGP bike classes with each offering a different race experience
• First time MotoGP series will appear on PlayStation 3
• Set competitor AI to match skill level with 4 AI levels – Easy/Medium/Hard/Champion
• Pit your riding skills against players from across the globe in a number of online modes
• Includes new 2008 season additions of night racing and Indianapolis circuit

Just to let you know you can view all the MotoGP 08 content I have posted by using this link

Unless anything changes here are the dates;

Europe- 24th October- XB360, PC, PS3 and PS2

                14th November- Wii

US- 28th October- XB360, PC, PS3 and PS2

        3rd November- Wii

and if you are finding it hard to wait here are some countdowns;

UK

US

Australia

Should make the time race away nicely ;)

Requests for countries taken, I'll then add them to the list. Any Wii fans here?