- The MXGP 26 release marks a full rebuild: new engine, revamped physics, and dynamic terrain deformation.
- 20 riders offline in MXGP, 16 in MX2, and 10 online for smooth performance.
- No career mode this year — the studio prioritized core riding physics; career arrives next iteration.
- Ranked public lobbies with Elo, plus private lobbies; cross-play is not supported in this version.
- Four AI difficulties from Amateur to Expert, with track-specific AI lines.
MXGP 26 Release Overview
The MXGP 26 release is the second MXGP title and the first fully built by Artifact Studio on a whole new engine. Rather than iterating on the old formula, the team rebuilt the foundation: revamped physics, better air control, and dynamic terrain deformation that changes how every track rides lap after lap.
Video Highlights:
- Lead producer confirms community-driven post-launch patch plans
- Three terrain types (dirt/hard pack, sand, clay) with dry and wet variants
- Rider weight and standing/sitting position affect bike physics
- Elo-ranked public lobbies and private lobbies explained
| Area | MXGP 26 Launch State |
|---|---|
| Engine | Brand new engine, full rebuild |
| Career mode | Not included; planned for next iteration |
| Cross-play | Not supported this version; under review for future |
| Post-launch support | Community-feedback-driven patches on Steam, Xbox, PS5 |
| Handguards removal | Not possible this year; being looked into |
Treat this release as a foundation title. Learn the new physics now — the skills you build will carry into future MXGP games built on the same systems.
New Physics & Terrain Deformation
The heart of the MXGP 26 release is the physics overhaul. Grip received the most tuning attention because it defines how a motocross game feels in corners, on takeoffs, and under braking. Terrain deformation is also dynamic: ruts build where riders actually travel, and the bike responds when there is too much or too little deformation.
| Terrain Type | Dry Behavior | Wet Behavior |
|---|---|---|
| Dirt / Hard pack | Predictable, consistent grip | Reduced grip, sharper slides |
| Sand | Shifting, physically demanding | Heavier, more wheelspin |
| Clay | Smooth, high grip | Very slippery in rain |
Standing or sitting is not cosmetic. Activate the input option in settings and the rider's weight genuinely changes how the bike handles — a HUD element tells you which position you are in.
The stand/sit input is deactivated by default. Turn it on manually if you want full control; otherwise the game chooses the position automatically.
Air Control: Whips, Scrubs & Assistance
Controlling a bike mid-air is hard, and the team knows different players want different experiences. The profile system solves this: pick Amateur and you get heavy assistance for learning air control; deactivate assists one by one until you have free control for scrubbing and whipping on your terms.
Choose your profile
Select Amateur for maximum assistance when starting the MXGP 26 release.
Learn air control basics
Practice takeoffs and landings with assists active to build muscle memory.
Deactivate assists gradually
Turn off assistance options one at a time as you get comfortable.
Master free whips and scrubs
With all assists off, enjoy full free control of the bike in the air.
Capture your best moments
Use the replay and photo modes to review lines and share your best whips.
Amateur
- Full assistance
- Guided air control
- Best for learning
Intermediate
- Partial assistance
- Some manual inputs
- Balanced challenge
Expert
- All assists off
- Free whips and scrubs
- Pro-level control
The assist system means casual riders and pros share the same physics — only the amount of help differs. Everyone can progress at their own pace.
AI Difficulty & Rider Counts
The MXGP 26 release ships with four AI difficulties from Amateur to Expert. Each track's AI has been individually tuned to take jumps and turns the way they should be taken, and AI riders can choose multiple lines — taking the outside or inside of a corner depending on race position, which adds variety to every race.
| Mode | Max Riders | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Offline MXGP | 20 | Full grid experience |
| Offline MX2 | 16 | Matches 2026 official grid |
| Online | 10 | Capped for smooth performance |
Real-life races can hit 40 riders, but that is technically demanding. The studio prioritized performance for this release and may raise the online cap later if feedback supports it.
Online Multiplayer & Lobbies
Two lobby types are available at launch. Public lobbies are ranked with an Elo system — win matches to gain Elo and climb the leaderboard. Private lobbies let you race friends freely. Cross-play between PC and console is not in this version; the team wants cross-play on every platform but could not deliver it for MXGP 26, and it remains a target for the next release.
| Feature | Available at Launch |
|---|---|
| Public ranked lobbies | Yes, with Elo ranking |
| Private lobbies | Yes |
| Cross-play PC/console | No, planned for next version |
| Handguard removal | No, under consideration |
There is no career mode in MXGP 26. The studio states a good career mode takes time, so this release focuses on core riding; a proper career mode is planned for the next iteration.
Post-Launch Support & Day-One Checklist
The developer confirmed post-launch support will follow community feedback closely, monitoring comments on Steam, Xbox, and PS5. Early patches will focus on compatibility fixes, especially PC-specific issues, alongside physics and terrain-deformation tuning based on how the game actually feels in players' hands.
Day-One Setup Goals:
- Pick a profile and test air-control assists
- Try all three terrain types in dry and wet conditions
- Enable the stand/sit input option
- Race each AI difficulty to find your level
- Jump into a ranked public lobby for Elo
- Test replay and photo modes on your favorite track
FAQ
Q: Is there a career mode in the MXGP 26 release?
No. Artifact Studio focused on rebuilding the engine, physics, and terrain deformation for MXGP 26. A proper career mode is planned for the next iteration of the series.
Q: Does MXGP 26 support cross-play between PC and console?
No. Cross-play is not available in this version. The developers want cross-play on every platform and are looking into it for the next release.
Q: How many riders can be on track in MXGP 26?
Offline MXGP supports 20 riders, MX2 supports 16 to match the official 2026 grid, and online is capped at 10 riders to keep performance smooth.
Q: Can I remove handguards in MXGP 26?
No, bikes ship with handguards and they cannot be removed in this version. The studio acknowledges it is a personal choice for real riders and is looking into it for the future.