Motocross The Game Online Multiplayer Explained
How online racing works in Motocross The Game: dedicated servers, matchmaking, private lobbies, crossplay plans, Dual Rating and race-night setup.
Motocross The Game uses dedicated servers with matchmaking and private invite-only lobbies. PC is the only platform at Early Access launch; PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S versions are planned to follow. Races feed two ratings: Skill Rating for pace and results, Safety Rating for track etiquette.
Online racing is the centre of Motocross The Game. The official description calls it a competition-first simulator, and every system — the physics, the tracks, the ratings, the leaderboards — points at racing other riders.
That is good news if you want a competitive sim and bad news if you hoped to avoid other people. This guide explains how the online layer works, how to set up a clean race night and how to behave so that other riders want to race with you.
The three online paths
Matchmaking. Queue into a race and the game places you with other riders. The Dual Rating System is designed to match clean, fast riders together, so your ratings affect who you meet.
Private lobbies. Create an invite-only race for your crew or league. This is the best way to run a race night, a championship or a practice session with friends.
Time attack. Not a live race, but a global online competition. Every track and bike class has a leaderboard, and the official site publishes the boards.
The exact matchmaking rules, region selection and lobby size have not been published. Expect the basics at launch and check the patch notes for changes.
Dedicated servers and what they mean
Dedicated servers are hosted by the developer rather than one player's machine. That has three benefits:
- The host cannot quit and end the race.
- The connection is more consistent.
- The server can run the physics authority.
It also means you depend on the developer's server locations. If there is no server near you, your ping will be higher. The official material does not list server regions, so check your in-game ping and pick the closest option if the game offers one.
Crossplay status
The Steam page lists cross-platform multiplayer as a feature. The official about page says the game starts on PC in Early Access, with PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S versions to follow.
That means crossplay is a planned capability, not a launch feature. At Early Access launch, the player pool is PC. When the console versions arrive, crossplay should connect them, but the developer has not published the details.
Do not buy the game for a console yet. There is no console release date.
Setting up a race night
A private lobby is the best way to race with friends. A simple format:
- Pick a track and a bike class.
- Run a five-minute practice session.
- Run two heats of ten minutes.
- Run a final of fifteen minutes.
- Record the results and the cleanest rider.
Keep the format short. A race night that runs too long becomes a crash fest as riders get tired.
If you have a mix of skill levels, use the same bike class and let the faster riders start at the back. This keeps the racing close without forcing anyone to sandbag.
Racecraft for online motocross
Starts. Do not wheelspin. Feed the power in and aim for the first corner with a plan. If the inside is blocked, take the outside.
Passing. Pass on the exit, not the entry. A rider who is slow out of a corner is easy to pass on the next straight. A rider who is fast on the straight is easy to pass on the brakes.
Defending. Take the inside line, but do not brake-check. A brake-check causes a collision and hurts your Safety Rating.
Traffic. If you are lapping a slower rider, be predictable. Do not dive inside at the last moment.
Crashing. If you crash, rejoin safely. Do not ride across the track into oncoming riders.
Etiquette that protects your Safety Rating
The Safety Rating is the game's track-etiquette score. Clean racing protects it; collisions and dirty riding hurt it.
- Hold your line when being passed.
- Do not cut the track.
- Do not ride backwards.
- Do not intentionally take out another rider.
- Give room at the first corner.
These are basic manners, but they matter more in a sim where the physics punish contact. A clean race is also a faster race.
If you take someone out, a quick message after the race goes a long way. The community is small at launch.
Improving your online experience
Practise the track first. Do not learn a new layout in a live race. Run ten time attack laps before you queue.
Warm up. Two or three laps to get your eyes and hands up to speed.
Use the right bike. The 250F is more forgiving in traffic; the 450F is faster but easier to spin.
Check your setup. A bike that pushes in practice will push in a race.
Leave the lobby if you are tilted. A tired, angry rider crashes more and hurts their ratings.
Common online problems
High ping. Check your connection and any server region option. A wired connection is better than Wi-Fi.
Empty lobbies. The player pool is smaller at launch. Try peak hours and the most popular class.
Crash-heavy races. Rookies collide more. Your Safety Rating will separate you from them over time.
No console players. Console versions have not launched. Crossplay is a future feature.
Matchmaking feels unfair. The ratings need races to calibrate. Give it ten races before you judge.
For the next step, the Dual Rating guide→ covers the related inputs in more detail.
FAQ
Does Motocross The Game have matchmaking? Yes. The official description confirms matchmaking on dedicated servers.
Can I race with friends? Yes. Private invite-only lobbies are confirmed.
Is there crossplay? Cross-platform multiplayer is listed as a Steam feature, but console versions are planned to follow. At PC Early Access launch, the pool is PC.
How many riders per race? The official material does not state a lobby size. Check the game's menus and patch notes.
Do online races affect my rating? Yes. Skill Rating and Safety Rating are both affected by online racing.
Sources
Official source: Steam store description and official about page, checked November 10, 2026. Matchmaking rules, lobby size and server regions are not published.