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MTX: Mototrax Producer Tells All

Xbox Solution recently sat down with Activision Associate Producer Kragen Lum to discuss the down-and-dirty bike racer MTX: Mototrax™. Get the scoop on this extreme Xbox Live® sports title, straight from the experts.

MTX: Mototrax races on to the Xbox.

Xbox Solution: Could you please introduce yourself and tell us what you do?

Kragen Lum: Sure. My name is Kragen Lum, and I'm the associate producer for Activision’s MTX: Mototrax.

Xbox Solution: So, how does this dirt bike racing title differ from other extreme sports titles?

Lum: The main difference between dirt bike racing and other extreme sports is the racing element. Most extreme sports, like skateboarding and snowboarding, don't have a racing element. It's the speed or racing that's one of the most compelling reasons to ride a dirt bike.

Xbox Solution: Kids love dirt bikes, but what age range is MTX: Mototrax intended for?

Lum: It’s intended for kids and adults of all ages and was designed in a way that will appeal to casual and hardcore gamers as well.

Xbox Solution: Do you consider this game to be more of a simulation title, more of an arcade title, or somewhere in between?

Lum: MTX: Mototrax is somewhere between a simulation and an arcade title. The realism has been enhanced and exaggerated to add to the fun.

Xbox Solution: Is the single-player mode story-driven or is it all about racing and challenges? And, why did you decide to go that route?

Lum: The Career mode is really the focus of the game. Players can create their own rider and take their character from amateur to pro in racing, freestyle, and freeride levels. There are also single-race, split-screen multiplayer, and online gameplay modes in the game.

Xbox Solution: How might MTX: Mototrax benefit younger gamers?

Lum: Kids are going to have a blast racing, spinning up dirt, and getting air. In our Dirt Wurx track editor mode, players young and old can put their creativity to the test to design any race track their imagination can conceive.

Xbox Solution: This game has quite an impressive list of lyrical and instrumental music. Can you tell us a bit about it and how you chose the composers and artists for the music?

Lum: The music in MTX: Mototrax was selected to fit with the high-energy level of riding a dirt bike. The game’s soundtrack is fast-paced and features many great rock, metal, and punk bands that play music that goes hand in hand with racing a dirt bike.

Xbox Solution: Will the game feature any real-life dirt biking superstars?

Lum: Yes. MTX: Mototrax features Travis Pastrana, Carey Hart, Chad Reed, Ezra Lusk, and 9 other top motocross pros.

Xbox Solution: How extensive are bike and rider upgrades in the game?

Lum: You can upgrade your bikes and unlock new gear by gaining sponsors during races. The sponsors give either an upgrade or a cash award for using their product, just like in real life. The more sponsors that approach you during a season, the better your bike will be.

Xbox Solution: Can you tell us about some of the multiplayer game modes?

Lum: In the multiplayer mode, players can compete in race and freestyle events. The race events are either single races or a series of races, and freestyle events included King of the Hill and Freestyle Battle.

Xbox Solution: MTX: Mototrax claims to have a solid frame rate of nearly 60 frames per second—quite impressive. Is it difficult to achieve this in a racer of this type?

Lum: Achieving a solid 60 frames per second is challenging in any game, especially in one that has such great visuals in all the levels. There's always a give and take between the frame rate and what's happening on screen. MTX: Mototrax is a fine example of a game with a great mix of fast frame rate and excellent visuals.

Xbox Solution: As Activision’s first Xbox Live-enabled sports title, what sorts of multiplayer modes can players look forward to?

Lum: MTX: Mototrax features a great XboxLive racing mode as well as King of the Hill and Freestyle Battle modes.

Xbox Solution: What are some of your favorite features?

Lum: The speed and customization have to be some of my favorite features in this game. The breakneck speed makes racing very exciting. Being able to customize the rider and choose sponsors is great, too. It's very rewarding to control a character that you designed and become a racing and freestyle champion.

Xbox Solution: Anything else you would like to tell us about?

Lum: Everything about MTX: Mototrax is customizable. From your character's face to the gear he wears to the path of your motocross career. You can choose what you want to unlock, make your own track, and choose the songs you want to hear.

Xbox Solution: Thank you so much for your time.

Lum: Thank you for the great interview!

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