Capcom secures MotoGP franchise across all platforms

by Jason Dobson { Mar 31st 2008 at 8:25AM }

With some 15 different titles in the works, we'd assumed that the forces of Capcom had enough on their hands to not go looking for other things to keep them busy. That's what we get for assuming, as the company has announced that it's secured the exclusive rights to publish games and peripherals based on the MotoGP license.

The winds of change began to blow last year, as Capcom sewed up Sony platform rights to the motorcycle sport in 2007. However, this new deal does everything but say 'yoink!' to longtime series publisher THQ, pulling rights to all things MotoGP beneath the Capcom umbrella for the next five years, with this year's annual update already planned for release on the Xbox 360, PS3, PS2, Wii, PC, and mobile phones.

Now all that remains to be seen is who will handle development -- franchise vet Climax Group or series newcomers Milestone, who helmed last year's PS2 version for Capcom. There's really only one way to settle this...Thunderdome!

Tags: brand, BreakingNews, capcom, exclusive, license, motogp, motorcycle, thq

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Lewis @ Mar 31st 2008 8:34AM

Score 1 for Capcom. Now if they'd hurry up with Dead Rising 2...

Batzarro @ Mar 31st 2008 8:53AM

Is this floaty motorcycle MotoGP or the realistic one?

Bad Mojo @ Mar 31st 2008 8:54AM

Ahhh.... let the Madden Curse ride a motorcycle now.

Guess this means it'll follow the same formula as EZ and the NFL: Same crap/new year.

hvnlysoldr @ Mar 31st 2008 1:57PM

I don't quite know how that would work. I don't think there's any particular athlete on the cover of MotoGP games.

Justin @ Mar 31st 2008 9:07AM

Please fix the MotoGP games. They are awful.

wickedneoq @ Mar 31st 2008 2:01PM

Here here! Lots of online, but lack of realism! Hopefully Capcom can make this work.

labrats5 @ Mar 31st 2008 1:29PM

Capcom is one of the best studios in the world. I couldn't be happier to hear this.

bluestriker @ Mar 31st 2008 3:47PM

Capcom should be able to ruin this franchise even more pretty quickly. Goodbye realism. It was better when Climax made it.

Ted @ Mar 31st 2008 7:05PM

Is that an in game picture or a photograph?

DjFIL @ Mar 31st 2008 7:35PM

I love the Climax MotoGP (xbox/xbox360) series. But, I know Climax isn't going to do it, since they were bought up by Buena Vista Games in 2006. I have mixed feelings about Milestone... they did a great job with the old SBK (PC) series for EA (was real hardcore sim racing)... I really hope Capcom doesn't get them to dumb it down. I like this series for the realism challenge it presents.