In this generation so many games are receiving the “back to the roots” treatment, and Criterion Games (famous for the Burnout series) now has the job of reinventing the Need for Speed series with a new version for the classic Hot Pursuit division. The award-winning development team is making the latest installment in the renowned Need for Speed franchise, inspired by the classic game of the same name.
Need for Speed Hot Pursuit brings the franchise back to its roots with intense cops vs. racer chases, licensed cars, all-new online network called Need for Speed Autolog, and full careers as both a cop and a racer, solo or connected.
Check out some of the game’s features:
- Back to its Roots – The game is inspired by the original Need for Speed on 3DO – we loved the thrill of the driving the open road and shaking off the cops in exotic supercars. The first thing you’ll notice in our trailer is the open, high speed roads of the coastal, forest and desert regions – very reminiscent of our 3DO inspiration.
- License to Thrill – A stack of new toys to play with for the first time – real, licensed cars! The trailer shows what it’s like to run from the cops in the Koenigsegg CCX, McLaren’s incredible new MP4-12C and ultra exclusive Pagani Zonda Cinque. It would be a breeze if the cops weren’t packing equally exclusive hardware – the Ford Shelby GT500, the extraordinary Bugatti Veyron 16.4 and the legendary Lamborghini Murciélago for a start. But don’t get too attached – our pursuits are all about high speed aggressive driving. Don’t expect to finish in a pristine car!
- Escalating the Action – Cops are kitted out with a full suite of weapons and gear to help them bring lawbreakers to justice. As the pursuit escalates, so does the equipment available. The trailer shows “Road Block”, “Spike Strip” and “Helicopter Support” in action, but you’ll also make use of many others as a Cop and a Racer!
- Friends and Enemies – You see player IDs in the trailer, because online players are key to this Need for Speed – your friends are at the heart of the experience. All the action can be played online – meet up with friends to play as the cops, work together to escape the law or play against each other. A feature called “Autolog” tracks everything you do and uses that information to compare your performance with your friends and recommend new experiences to try.
At Criterion, we’ve been playing Need for Speed since it was first introduced on 3DO. We are honored and excited by the opportunity to reinvent the franchise for today’s connected audience. Our goal has been to create cops vs. racers pursuits that are so fun, fast and exciting it really brings to life the adrenaline and intensity of the high speed cop pursuit experience with your friends”. – Craig Sullivan, Creative Director of the game
The Hot Pursuit games were always my favorite from the Need for Speed series, so for me this new game is like a dream coming true!
Need for Speed Hot Pursuit will be available on November 16, 2010 in North America and on November 18 and 19, 2010 in Europe on the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and PC. Need for Speed Hot Pursuit will also be available on the Wii and is being developed by Exient.
Below you can see the initial screens, followed by the debut trailer!
