- MXGP 26 Steam launched as a full rebuild from Artifact Studio with a brand-new engine and overhauled physics.
- Dynamic terrain deformation reacts to every lap, changing how your bike handles on dirt, sand, and clay.
- Multiplayer supports public ranked lobbies with an Elo system, but cross-play is not available in this title.
- Assistance settings let casual riders learn air control while pros disable assists for free whips and scrubs.
- No career mode at launch — the studio prioritized core riding fundamentals for the 2026 iteration.
MXGP 26 Steam: What You Need to Know
MXGP 26 Steam is the second MXGP title developed by Artifact Studio, and the first built entirely on a whole new engine. The developers focused on revamping physics, dynamic terrain deformation, and better air control rather than carrying over legacy systems. The result is a game that plays noticeably differently from previous entries in the official Motocross Championship series.
Video Highlights:
- Lead producer confirms post-launch support driven by community feedback across Steam, Xbox, and PS5
- Three terrain types — dirt/hard pack, sand, and clay — each in dry and wet variants
- Public lobbies are ranked with an Elo system; private lobbies also available
- No career mode this year, planned as a focus for the next iteration
- 20 riders offline in MXGP, 16 in MX2, capped at 10 online for smooth performance
The launch interview makes one thing clear: this is a community-driven project. Bug fixes after launch will prioritize compatibility issues on certain PC configurations, and the team actively reads feedback on Steam, Xbox, and PS5.
Post-launch patches will largely follow community feedback. If you hit a compatibility or performance issue on PC, leave a detailed comment on the Steam page — the development team reviews that feedback directly.
Physics, Terrain & Handling Systems
The core of MXGP 26 Steam is its rebuilt physics engine. Grip received extra attention because the developers identified it as the single most important element for a motocross game's feel.
Terrain Types and Conditions
| Terrain | Dry Behavior | Wet Behavior |
|---|---|---|
| Dirt / Hard Pack | Predictable grip, stable lines | Reduced traction, more sliding |
| Sand | Loose, shifting surface | Heavier bike response, deeper ruts |
| Clay | Smooth, consistent | Very slippery, strong power slides |
Dynamic terrain deformation interacts with the physics model: as ruts form and the surface breaks down over laps, bike handling changes accordingly. The team tested deformation balance so that neither too much nor too little deformation breaks the ride feel.
Air Control and Assists
Controlling a bike in the air can be tricky, so the game offers tiered assistance based on your chosen profile:
| Profile | Assists | Intended Player |
|---|---|---|
| Amateur | All assists active | New riders learning air control |
| Intermediate | Partial assists | Players building confidence |
| Pro / Expert | All assists off | Free whips, scrubs, full control |
An optional input lets you manually control whether your rider stands or sits. It's off by default, but enabling it adds a HUD indicator — and it affects physics, since rider weight distribution changes how the bike behaves.
Multiplayer, Rider Count & Platforms
Online multiplayer in MXGP 26 Steam centers on public and private lobbies. Public lobbies are ranked with an Elo system, so winning matches climbs your rating. Cross-play between PC and console is unfortunately not included in this version, though the studio is looking into it for future titles.
| Mode | Rider Limit | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Offline MXGP | 20 riders | Full grid |
| Offline MX2 | 16 riders | Matches 2026 season grid |
| Online | 10 riders | Capped for smooth performance |
The 10-rider online cap was a deliberate performance decision. Real-life races can feature around 40 riders, but simulating that while maintaining performance was considered too technically challenging for this iteration. The team may raise the cap post-launch if feasible.
If you're buying on Steam to play with friends on PlayStation or Xbox, note that cross-play is not supported in MXGP 26. Coordinate platforms before purchasing.
Step-by-Step: First Session Setup
Follow this sequence to get the most out of your first hours in MXGP 26 Steam.
Pick the Right Profile
Choose the amateur profile with full assists if you're new to motocross games. This gives guided air control while you learn track rhythm and braking points.
Learn the Terrains
Practice on each of the three surfaces — dirt, sand, and clay — in dry conditions first. Note how grip and slide behavior differ before adding rain.
Enable Rider Position Input
Turn on the standing/sitting input option in settings. Watch the HUD indicator and learn how weight shifts change cornering and acceleration.
Disable Assists Gradually
Once comfortable in the air, deactivate assists one at a time to unlock free whips and scrubs at your own pace.
Jump Into Ranked Lobbies
Enter public lobbies to start building your Elo rating, or create a private lobby for races with friends.
AI Difficulty Reference
The game offers four AI difficulties from amateur to expert. AI has been tuned per track to take jumps and turns optimally, and riders can choose multiple racing lines — taking outer or inner lines depending on their position.
| Difficulty | Best For |
|---|---|
| Amateur | Learning tracks and bike control |
| Intermediate | Building race craft |
| Advanced | Consistent lap-time challenges |
| Expert | Simulating pro-level competition |
Launch Features, Customization & Roadmap
Several commonly requested features sit on the roadmap rather than in the launch build.
Career Mode
- Not in MXGP 26
- Studio rebuilding fundamentals first
- Planned focus for next iteration
Removable Handguards
- Currently not possible
- All bikes include handguards
- Under consideration for future titles
Replay & Photo Mode
- Available at launch
- Capture the new visuals
- Great for showcasing terrain deformation
The development team is most excited for players to try the new physics both on the ground and in the air, the track deformation system, and the replay/photo modes for capturing the game's visuals.
Launch Window Goals:
- Try all three terrain types in dry and wet conditions
- Enable and test the rider position input feature
- Complete races on all four AI difficulties
- Play your first ranked public lobby match
- Share physics and deformation feedback on Steam
The studio explicitly states that player feedback on each platform will shape the next generation of MXGP titles. Your impressions of the physics and deformation systems directly influence future releases.
FAQ
Q: Is MXGP 26 available on Steam?
Yes. MXGP 26 launched on Steam alongside console versions, and the development team actively monitors Steam feedback for post-launch patches, particularly compatibility-related bug fixes on certain PC configurations.
Q: Why is there no career mode in MXGP 26?
The studio rebuilt the game on a brand-new engine and chose to focus on core fundamentals — physics, terrain deformation, and air control. A good career mode takes time, so it is planned as a focus for the next MXGP iteration.
Q: Does MXGP 26 support cross-play between PC and console?
No. Cross-play is not available in this version. The developers want to implement cross-play across every platform but could not deliver it for MXGP 26, and they are looking into it for the next release.
Q: How many riders can race at once?
Offline, MXGP races support 20 riders and MX2 supports 16, matching the official 2026 season grid. Online races are capped at 10 riders to guarantee smooth performance without technical issues.