MXGP 26 Pre-Order Trailer Showcases Unreal Engine 5 and Track Deformation

Nacon has released a new pre-order trailer for its upcoming motocross racing game, MXGP 26, ahead of its scheduled launch on October 1. The title, which is being developed by Artefacts Studio, will be available on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S.

The under-a-minute trailer showcases the visual changes implemented since the previous entry, MXGP 2024 – The Official Game. The development team at Artefacts Studio spent the past year transitioning the franchise from the KT Engine to Unreal Engine 5. According to the developers, this engine transition powers "dynamic deformation," a new feature where the mud on the dirt tracks physically deforms depending on the racing lines chosen by the riders. The updated engine is also designed to deliver enhanced visuals and allow changing weather conditions to have a larger impact on active races.

MXGP 26 features licensed content from the official 2026 motocross season, including real-world riders from the MXGP and MX2 categories such as Romain Febvre, Maxime Renaux, Kay de Wolf, and Calvin Vlaanderen. Players will race across various international tracks, including Argentina's volcanic-soil Bariloche track, Sardinia's Riola Sardo, and the compact dirt of Italy's Pietramurata. These distinct surfaces will require players to adjust their racing strategies accordingly.

The game will launch with a comprehensive editor, allowing players to customize their bikes and riders using parts and graphics from real-world manufacturers including Honda, Kawasaki, KTM, Fox Racing, Alpinestar, and Airoh. For gameplay modes, the game features Grand Prix (for quick races), Championship (for a longer series across multiple tracks), and Time Attack, alongside a free-roam arena called "The Compound" where players can test out bike tuning adjustments. While there is no current confirmation of a dedicated career mode, the multiplayer component is confirmed to support online events for up to 10 players.