MotoGP 21 puts players into the 2021 championship, with MotoGP, Moto2 and Moto3 classes, alongside a roster of official and historic riders and their bikes. Its focus is not simply on reaching the front: the game pairs motorcycle racing with the planning and judgment involved in running a team. Players can join an official outfit or create one, then assemble staff to support career decisions and bike development.
On track, race management is part of the challenge. Riders must monitor fuel, brake temperature and tire wear, making choices in response to riding style and race conditions; a fall also means getting back on the bike quickly. The Long Lap Penalty adds another specific rule to the racing format. Off the track, career play can extend to creating and managing a Junior Team, while graphic editors let players customize their helmet, suit, stickers, number and livery. The game also describes A.N.N.A., its machine-learning-based racing AI, as improved.
Play can be organized around a solo career or competition with others: the listed formats include single-player and online PvP, while Race Director mode lets players create events.
