LiDAR Technology Revolutionizing Game Design for MotoGP 22 with Ultra-Realistic Virtual Tracks

In 2021, Milestone, the renowned developer of the MotoGP motorcycle simulation series, sought to bring the then new Mandalika Grand Prix track in Indonesia into the virtual realm with unprecedented precision for its MotoGP 22 game. Collaborating with MDSI, an Indonesian YellowScan partner, the project aimed to create a highly detailed, data-rich virtual track that mirrors reality. Leveraging a combination of LiDAR and photogrammetry, the project captured every subtle detail of the 120-hectare racing circuit, including the terrain, track inclinations, buildings and environmental features.

MDSI employed dual drone systems to separate LiDAR and photogrammetric data collection. Photogrammetry flights, conducted in under an hour to maintain consistent lighting, provided high-resolution imagery, while slower LiDAR flights ensured dense and accurate point cloud data. The use of seven Ground Control Points (GCPs) enabled the seamless integration of both datasets. The high precision achieved allowed for faithful replication of the track's surface variations, runoff zones, and water accumulation points, enriching the gameplay experience with unparalleled realism.