Milestone has taken over the reins of the Monster Jam series, with a new game set to launch later in 2024.
Images: Milestone
Monster truck fans will have a new game, by a different developer, to look forward to this year with the announcement of Monster Jam Showdown.
Set to feature the real-world vehicles from the North American show, much like prior games in the series, there will be freestyle stadium events where points for stunts will be awarded, plus more general races.
Looking at the launch trailers, it seems you will be in multi-car events with up to seven AI-controlled rivals across fictionalised locations – snow and mud are prominent, reminiscent of Sony’s Motorstorm titles.
As the real-world series does not do racing in this format – instead, favouring a one-vs-one side-by-side or around-in-circles approach – it is clear this is meant to be an accessible title, as opposed to a simulator. In fact, the developers describe it as the “ultimate off-road arcade racing experience.”
It is unknown which additional features will be included, such as online multiplayer or the potential for a track editor, both staples of other Milestone-created games.
We can see, however, a boost system that seems to be powered by drifting, clean driving and jumping. As expected, it is created using the Unreal Engine. Some of the real-world trucks showcased include El Toro Loco, Grave Digger and Megalodon.
With both Milestone and Rainbow part of Embracer Group, it seems like there has been a consolidation.
Rainbow most recently created MX vs ATV Legends, a game that had a rocky start and morphed into an ever-evolving platform. Earlier this year, it added official Monster Energy Supercross content, presumably in lieu of the dedicated yearly game, formerly created by Milestone and last released in 2023.
Conversely, now the Italian studio has Feld Entertainment’s Monster Jam series. Last year, it released not only Supercross 6 but also MotoGP 23, Ride 5 and Hot Wheels Unleashed 2 – Turbocharged, so Showdown marks the first game in its 2024 roster.
It is not its first rodeo with this type of machine – the Monster Trucks DLC for the first Hot Wheels Unleashed in 2022 witnessed the creation of oversized vehicles and specifically modified locations. In fact, the snowy tracks shown in the Showdown trailer remind us of this expansion, as if they took that idea and enlarged its scope.
Hot Wheels Unleashed Monster Truck DLC
Images: Milestone
Monster truck fans will have a new game, by a different developer, to look forward to this year with the announcement of Monster Jam Showdown.
Set to feature the real-world vehicles from the North American show, much like prior games in the series, there will be freestyle stadium events where points for stunts will be awarded, plus more general races.
Looking at the launch trailers, it seems you will be in multi-car events with up to seven AI-controlled rivals across fictionalised locations – snow and mud are prominent, reminiscent of Sony’s Motorstorm titles.
As the real-world series does not do racing in this format – instead, favouring a one-vs-one side-by-side or around-in-circles approach – it is clear this is meant to be an accessible title, as opposed to a simulator. In fact, the developers describe it as the “ultimate off-road arcade racing experience.”
It is unknown which additional features will be included, such as online multiplayer or the potential for a track editor, both staples of other Milestone-created games.
We can see, however, a boost system that seems to be powered by drifting, clean driving and jumping. As expected, it is created using the Unreal Engine. Some of the real-world trucks showcased include El Toro Loco, Grave Digger and Megalodon.
Licencing Shuffling
Milestone will take over the franchise for the next game, replacing Rainbow Studios who created 2019’s Monster Jam Steel Titans and 2021’s sequel.With both Milestone and Rainbow part of Embracer Group, it seems like there has been a consolidation.
Rainbow most recently created MX vs ATV Legends, a game that had a rocky start and morphed into an ever-evolving platform. Earlier this year, it added official Monster Energy Supercross content, presumably in lieu of the dedicated yearly game, formerly created by Milestone and last released in 2023.
Conversely, now the Italian studio has Feld Entertainment’s Monster Jam series. Last year, it released not only Supercross 6 but also MotoGP 23, Ride 5 and Hot Wheels Unleashed 2 – Turbocharged, so Showdown marks the first game in its 2024 roster.
It is not its first rodeo with this type of machine – the Monster Trucks DLC for the first Hot Wheels Unleashed in 2022 witnessed the creation of oversized vehicles and specifically modified locations. In fact, the snowy tracks shown in the Showdown trailer remind us of this expansion, as if they took that idea and enlarged its scope.
Release window and platforms
Monster Jam Showdown does not yet have a specific release date, other than the aforementioned ‘2024’. It will be released for Nintendo Switch, PC (Steam and Epic), PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S.Monster Jam Showdown At A Glance
- New official Monster Jam video game with real-world trucks
- Stunt arenas mixed with racing around fictional venues
- Accessible arcade approach, using Unreal Engine
- Release in 2024 for all major gaming platforms
- Developed by Milestone; known for MotoGP, Hot Wheels and Supercross titles
