The video game industry is flooded with racing games, but Need for Speed is one franchise that continues to dominate this genre of gaming. EA and Ghost developers have recently unveiled a new version simply titled Need for Speed, and the game has a release date for some time in Q3 2015 for the Xbox One, PS4, and PC.
According to Gamesradar, the new Need for Speed game is "a full reboot" according to the developer Ghost. This is important as in addition to racing, the Need for Speed does have a story element to it, which will apparently have a new beginning. The developer Ghost also adds: "the game delivers on what the fans want, and what Need for Speed stands for - deep customization, authentic urban car culture, a nocturnal open world, and an immersive narrative that pulls you through the game".
EA also added this description: "[The new version of] Need for Speed will deliver an experience that's grounded in authentic car culture by diving into the rich world of past, present and emergent trends of the urban car scene. The new game has apparently been shaped using feedback and research from EA own "car culture community."
The new trailer, which is designed to be a teaser, certainly does tease. There isn't much shown on it but a car moving fast and trying to evade the cops. The footage looks like something out of a cutscene in video games, but the end of the teaser assures the audience that what was seen is actual gameplay footage.
It should be noted that in 2014, EA chose not to release a new, core Need for Speed game. Ghost used the extra time to "think about what the franchise really stands for", according to Gamespot. Something tells me that the release of the 2014 Need for Speed movie, which was not well-received, might have been a factor as well.
For those unfamiliar with the Need for Speed video game franchise, then you should start by knowing that it is over twenty years old. The first game in the series came out way back in 1994, and it has had over 22 versions since then (an average of more than one per year).
So far, the Need for Speed games have essentially used the same rules and mechanics as a player controls a race car in many races, with a vehicle of their choice/creation. Of course, multiplayer options are available and many of them include police pursuits.
Fans of Need for Speed have responded very positively to the announcement of the new version of the game on the official Facebook site, many of them wanting a game like Need for Speed: Underground 3. Need for Speed: Underground was first released in 2003, and it caused the whole game series to shift from racing sports cars on scenic tracks to the import/tuner subculture with street racing. No doubt it was influenced by the hit film The Fast and the Furious, the Underground iterations were the first to introduce drifting and dragging to players.
Need for Speed will have more details about it revealed at the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3), and event that takes place annually at the Los Angeles Convention Center in June. Hopefully, there will be a definite release date given for when it will be released to the Xbox One, PS4, and PC.
