AMA Launches Motorcycle Esports Series using RiMS Racing

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AMA Partners with Init Esports to Award Inaugural Sancrtioned Esports Title - Will Rider's Get Revved?

In a progressive move from the American Motorcyclists Association (AMA) we have their first sanctioned competitive electronic gaming (Esports) series titled, World’s Fastest Motorcycle Gamer Challenge. Partnering with Init Esports the series will use the RiMS Racing riding simulator offered on PC/PS/XBox and requires special registration to help ensure authentic participation and fair play.

Based on the teaser video (see press release below), it looks to have decent graphics when compared to RIDE 4, another compteting game title, but RiMS so far only appears to offer asphalt/track based maps. We hope to see this expand beyond paved courses into off-road motocross, enduro and flat track courses.

Once we get past Excitebike, the coolest motorcycle game of all time, the challenge to develop a realistic FPV moto-game gets very real. Unlike the many finely tuned four-wheeled driving games , motorcycle riding has extremely challenging physics to simulate both in game and through the various types of controller interfaces. RIMS, however does have an amazing amount of bike customization optioins any gear head would love to tinker with 

The world of Esports is massive (larger than Hollywood) and growing. Microsoft's recent 69 billion dollar acquistion of Activision/Blizzard  rivals Disney's Fox buyout at 71.3 billion. Despite the challenges, we're happy to see AMA move in this direction and eager to see how the new program evolves over the years to come. Check out the details and links in the following press release.

Let us know what you think in the comments below.  What's your favorite motorcycle video game/simulator?

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PICKERINGTON, Ohio — While the racing environment will be virtual, the competition and AMA National No. 1 plate up for grabs could not be more real.

The American Motorcyclist Association has partnered with Init Esports to launch the World’s Fastest Motorcycle Gamer Challenge on Jan. 29. With the AMA sanctioning its first esports tournament, participants will have the opportunity to win AMA national titles in the discipline.

“The AMA’s mission includes promoting the motorcycle lifestyle, and that extends to the digital universe,” said AMA Chief Operating Officer James Holter. “We’re pleased to partner with Init Esports, a specialist in online competition, to develop the rules, structure and fairness of play that elevates online motorcycle racing to a recognized AMA discipline.”

RiMS Racing, by NACON and Italian studio RaceWard, is the street bike simulation game that will serve as the platform for the competition.

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“We created the digital competition license to encourage accountability in the gaming world,” said Stefy Bau, Init Esports Founder and CEO. “To drive or race a car or motorcycle in real life you need a license, and by replicating this model in the digital world, our hope is to combat the toxicity we see in parts of the gaming industry. With greater accountability for the gamers, my hope is to provide a safe and fair environment that stimulates more diversity and inclusion in motorsports and gaming.”

AMA esports license holders also enjoy discounts on gaming accessories and virtual perks. As part of the registration process, participants will link their Xbox, PlayStation or Steam/Epic account to their AMA esports license to have their lap times recorded for the challenge.

Phase 1 of the challenge will have competitors race at Laguna Seca (USA), Silverstone (UK), the Million-Dollar Highway (USA) and the Great Victoria Desert Road (AUS). Presenting the opportunity to improve track times from the first stage, Phase 2 will revisit Laguna Seca, Silverstone and the Million-Dollar Highway, with the fastest combined time on the four tracks determining the winner.

Road, track and weather conditions will vary throughout the competition. Along with the AMA esports championship, the winner will have the chance to experience two days with a U.S. Superbike team. Competitors finishing second and third will also be awarded a prize.

Additional information can be found online at initesports.gg.

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