Milestone is loading up Ride 6 with the biggest bike roster the series has ever seen, aiming to capture the feel of real riding in a way longtime fans will recognize. The team blends returning favorites with bikes making their videogame debut, each recreated with an eye for small but meaningful details. It all begins with a roster plan from the design team, which then gets handed off to licensing as they work with manufacturers to bring each model into the game.
Once a bike is approved, the reference hunt begins. Modern machines often come with full CAD files, giving Milestone an accurate digital foundation to start from. Older bikes require a bit more legwork. The team spends time visiting dealerships and workshops, scanning bikes and taking hundreds of photos to capture every angle and component. Milestone says riders and collectors are usually excited to help, often digging up rare models or opening their garages to make the process possible.
After all the material is collected, the art team steps in to build detailed 3D models and textures. These high-poly versions are then adapted into the game engine using a level-of-detail system that swaps in lighter models depending on how close the bike is to the camera. This keeps the game running smoothly without compromising accuracy. Once the visual work is complete, manufacturers take a final look to ensure the digital versions match the real machines.
From there, the physics and gameplay teams focus on how each bike should feel. They fine-tune characteristics like braking, cornering, suspension movement and balance to land on something that’s grounded in real-world numbers but still manageable with a controller. Ride 6 also introduces off-road riding for the first time, which required new surface behavior, different tire tuning, updated rider animations and a careful balance between throttle and brake response.
To give players more choice, the game offers two handling models. The Pro setup leans into full simulation, while the Arcade option softens the learning curve but keeps the overall riding feel intact.
Milestone says the goal across every department is simple: make each bike feel authentic and give players a garage that reflects the full spectrum of motorcycle culture. For more details on the process head over to the Xbox site. RIDE 6 launches on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S and PC through Steam and the Epic Games Store on February 12, 2026 with Early Access starting February 9.
