Better known today as the developer of Skyrim and Fallout, Bethesda once had a well-respected racing game franchise and were deep into development of a licensed Skip Barber Racing title that never released.
If you ever played Papyrus’ seminal Grand Prix Legends then you’ve read his name. Rich began working as a tester on NASCAR Racing (1994) and was with Papyrus at the end. In this interview, published in 2022, we discuss his time at the legendary studio and the design of Grand Prix Legends, including initial feelings of hurt at not being asked to join iRacing.
After kind of announcing this, they’ve now officially announced it. Sounds pretty good so far!
Press release:
“MOTORSIMS AND AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST ASSOCIATION TEAM UP AND GET READY TO RIDE”
Recently Launched Racing Simulation Company Announce Deal to Create and Publish Retail and Online Properties Based on AMA Pro Racing Sanctioned Motorcycle Racing EventsLas Colinas, TX (Feb. 1, 1999) — Motorsims today announced the signing of a long-term agreement with American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) Pro Racing to develop and publish computer games based on a number of AMA sanctioned properties. This partnership gives Motorsims the exclusive rights to AMA Superbike (road racing), AMA National Motocross and AMA Grand National Dirt Track Racing.
Formally launched in January of 1999, Motorsims (Motorsport Simulations Inc.) was founded by Internet gaming veteran Bob McCarthy. Motorsims will offer racing enthusiasts state-of-the-art simulation games and online competition in a number of popular racing categories. To further this goal, Motorsims has partnered with AMA Pro Racing, the largest motorcycle racing sanctioning body in the world with more than 80 national-level racing events all over the United States.
“Motorsims was founded with one goal in mind to give racing fans the chance to experience the world of professional motorsport through first-class computer simulations,” notes company founder Bob McCarthy. “Partnering with the AMA will allow us to create authentic, exciting racing experiences based on a number of action-packed AMA-sanctioned venues starting with AMA Superbike.”
“The Motorsims team really understands racing. With their track record in the field of Internet gaming and simulations, were confident theyll give racing fans the real AMA racing experience. Were pleased to be able to partner with Motorsims to make AMA racing available on computers and over the Internet,” said Ed Youngblood, President of the American Motorcyclist Association.
Motorsims plans to release the Internet version of AMA Superbike, the first AMA licensed title, in the Spring of 1999. This and subsequent games will be available as a standalone retail product, in addition to being playable online via Motorsims exclusive internet racing community. This community will be built upon Motorsims proprietary client server technology that can manage multiple racing arenas simultaneously.
Company founder Bob McCarthy was the chairman of Interactive Creations, the developer and publisher of the popular online aviation simulation Warbirds, and prior to that was a founder of Concentric Networks, a company that provides Internet Protocol-based network services for businesses and consumers. With his background, McCarthy brings to Motorsims a wealth of experience and understanding of simulations and the online gaming market. He is joined at Motorsims by a team of motorsport enthusiasts and a number of former Warbirds veterans. Motorsims are involved in a number of partnerships with leading personalities and governing bodies in the world of racing, of which the AMA is the first to be formally announced.
About Motorsims
Headquartered in Las Colinas, TX, Motorsims was founded by Bob McCarthy. The company offers motorsport enthusiasts the opportunity to experience authentic competitive motorsport racing through first-class computer simulations. Motorsims has alliances with a number of leading personalities in the racing world. These alliances include Pat Patterson, publisher of the authoritative facts-and-figures guidebook “Pat Pattersons Guide To Racing”; Dave Despain, a noted racing analyst and Speedvision broadcaster; Chet Burks, Executive Producer of Chet Burks productions, which produces popular motorsport racing events for a number of media outlets; Dave Sadowski, a current racing analyst and former AMA racer; and Lance Holst, former Suzuki Superbike team manager and current racing pundit.
About The American Motorcyclist Association
The American Motorcyclist Association is a 232,000-member non-profit
organization. Established in 1924, the Association’s purpose is to pursue, protect and promote the interests of motorcyclists, while serving the needs of its members. For more information, visit the AMA Web site at http://www.ama-cycle.org.
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