Capcom snatches official MotoGP licence for PSP (and mobile)

THQ has been churning out yearly MotoGP updates long enough for us to forget it could be possible someone else could hold the licence.

The publisher has recently been having an early spring clean-out of some of its franchises, though, ditching both Stuntman and Juiced, so perhaps it decided the time had come to wave goodbye to those noisy motorbikes as well.

Whatever the reason behind it, Capcom is now in possession of the official MotoGP licence and THQ isn't.

As well as confirming it now has the exclusive worldwide rights to publish video games (and create peripherals) based on the popular motorcycle racing championship until 2012, Capcom has also announced the first game that will arise from this agreement. Yes, it's MotoGP 2008. Which is such a surprise we nearly soiled our leathers.

Handheld-wise, the game will be released on PSP (no DS) alongside the home console formats (PS3, PS2, Xbox 360, Wii) and PC. Capcom also plans versions of the game for mobile handsets.

The MotoGP championship, in case you don't know, consists of 18 Grand Prix races hosted around the world and features all the top manufacturers such as Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki, Ducati and Kawasaki. Its licence also grants Capcom use of the race season roster, and top names such as Casey Stoner and UK champion James Toseland.

Capcom doesn't seem like the most obvious publisher of MotoGP games – as far as we can remember, Auto Modellista (on PS2) was its last racing game and that came out back in 2002. Still, a change of ownership for the licence could breathe some fresh life into it.

We'll have more for you on MotoGP 2008 and when it's expected for release as soon as it's confirmed.