Autoblog

Forza Motorsport 4 wants to include Porsche models, EA says "Nein!"

Jonathon Ramsey — Mon, 29 Aug 2011 08:28:00 EST

There were going to be 35 Porsches in Forza Motorsport 4, but now there will be precisely zero. Kind of. In the video game world, some developers own the rights to a brand, and Electronic Arts owns the rights to have Porsche appear in any other game. When the Stuttgart brand appears in a non-EA game, it's because the other developer paid EA a licensing fee. That's what Turn 10 did with the previous Forza games and expected to do with FM4.

EA has other ideas, informing Turn 10 that it won't allow the rival developer to license any Porsches. That takes almost three dozen Stuttgart runners out of the controllers of enthusiasts around the world when FM4 launches in October. It has been suggested that EA is building a fence around its Shift and Need for Speed franchises.

The smackdown does not apply to RUFs, however, so there will be three fettled models that originated in Stuttgart and were finished in Pfaffenhausen. The other 35 cars will be replaced by various makes and models.

Forza Motorsport 4 wants to include Porsche models, EA says "Nein!" originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 29 Aug 2011 08:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Italy stars in live-action Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit vid

Zach Bowman — Mon, 22 Nov 2010 19:58:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Videos, Lamborghini, Toys/Games

Need For Speed: Hot Pursuit - Click above to watch video after the jump

Electronic Arts isn't pulling any punches in the run-up to the release of Need For Speed: Hot Pursuit. The studio sent two of the world's most lust-worthy Italilan exotics to go frolic through the countryside in a live-action interpretation of the game's premise. The video stars one wayward Pagani Zonda Cinque on the run from a very stubborn Lamborghini Murcielago LP640 and its accompanying air support. The whole tale is set to La Roux's "Not Your Toy" remixed by the ever crafty Nero. It's as fitting a soundtrack as we could imagine.

The video is, of course, dripping with high-horsepower slides and vaporized rear tires at the hands of legendary stunt drivers Marc Hennerici and Marc Basseng. Sound appetizing? Hit the jump to sink your teeth into the jaw-dropping spot.

[Source: Hot Pursuit]

Continue reading Video: Italy stars in live-action Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit vid

Video: Italy stars in live-action Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit vid originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 22 Nov 2010 19:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Electronic Arts puts down controller, forms real racing team

Zach Bowman — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 17:28:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Europe, Toys/Games, Racing

Wonders never cease. The crew from Electronic Arts has decided to take its love of all things racing off the console and onto the track. The company just formed a genuine race team under the Need For Speed banner, and while we've seen plenty of brands go racing in the past as part of their marketing scheme, for the moment, this appears to be somewhat different.

For one, the team will be competing in at least two different series. While the fans in the states will get to feast their eyes on an NFS car getting sideways in Formula D, our European counterparts will have the opportunity to see the team compete in the VLN series, an endurance racing league that shares many of the same rules you'd find on your typical 24 hours of Nurburgring run.

EA has also managed to score some pretty serious talent behind the wheel. Patrick Söderlund, Mad Mike Whiddett and Matt Powers have all agreed to man the tiller in one car or another. The company has also announced it will be filming the whole shindig, so expect a 12-part series on the whole race season to come out of the project, too.

[Source: Kotaku]

Electronic Arts puts down controller, forms real racing team originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 07 Apr 2010 17:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Faster Downloads: Exotic Racing Series DLC coming to NFS Shift [w/video]

Noah Joseph — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 16:58:00 EST

Filed under: Videos, Toys/Games

Need for Speed SHIFT Exotic Racing Series DLC - Click above for high-res image gallery

Playstation3 gamers: If you were disappointed that only XBox 360 players got the Ferrari DLC package for Need for Speed SHIFT, take heart, because the next one's got your name on it, too. The Exotic Racing Series pack is being released by EA for both platforms (though not for PC, PSP or mobile platforms) on March 18, with some of the most alluring machinery this side of Maranello.

Included in the downloadable content package are the McLaren MP4-12C and SLR Stirling Moss, the Alfa 8C Competizione and Maserati GranTurismo S, BMW M1 Procar, Gumpert Apollo and Acura NSX. The DLC costs $10 (or equivalent points) on either XBox Live or PlayStation Network, and also includes an array of new events and track layouts. Video and press release after the jump, screen shots in the gallery below. Thanks for the tip, Andrey!

Gallery: Need for Speed SHIFT Exotic Racing Series DLC

[Source: EA via rpmgo.com]

Continue reading Faster Downloads: Exotic Racing Series DLC coming to NFS Shift [w/video]

Faster Downloads: Exotic Racing Series DLC coming to NFS Shift [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 15 Mar 2010 16:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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EA releases new Ferrari Racing Pack for Need For Speed SHIFT on Xbox 360

Noah Joseph — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 19:26:00 EST

Filed under: Ferrari

Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano on Need For Speed SHIFT - Click above for image gallery

Just a couple of weeks ago, we had the chance to review the latest driving game from the venerable Need For Speed franchise, and found NFS Shift to be a worthy rival to the likes of Forza 3 and the upcoming Gran Turismo 5. The one thing it was missing? Ferraris. But a new downloadable content pack on Xbox Live aims to fix that shortcoming.

Available for download on February 16, the Ferrari Racing Pack features 10 absolutely drool-worthy Prancing Horses. Included in the package are the FXX, F50 GT, 599 GTB Fiorano, California, 575 Superamerica and five variants of the F430: Spider, Scuderia, 16M Scuderia Spider, Challenge and GTC.

The gamesmiths at Electronic Art have also devised an array of challenges designed specifically for these ten Maranello monsters, including hot laps, eliminators, endurance races and a world tour. The 46 challenges are included as well in the download pack, which costs $10 or 800 Microsoft Points. You're also going to need a copy of the game, an Xbox 360 console and an Xbox Live account to make it happen. Full details are available in the press release after the jump, with a batch of screen shots in the gallery below.

Gallery: Ferrari Racing Pack on Need For Speed SHIFT for Xbox 360

[Source: EA via rpmgo.com]

Continue reading EA releases new Ferrari Racing Pack for Need For Speed SHIFT on Xbox 360

EA releases new Ferrari Racing Pack for Need For Speed SHIFT on Xbox 360 originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 10 Feb 2010 19:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VIDEOS: Need for Speed SHIFT track guides for Road America, Willow Springs and Laguna Seca

Noah Joseph — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 12:29:00 EST

Filed under: Videos, Toys/Games

Click above to watch the videos after the jump

Make no mistake about it: the racing games are coming. But while it may be all to easy to get lost in all the hype over the latest from Microsoft's Forza or Sony's Gran Turismo franchises, Electronic Arts has a trick of its own up its sleeve. (We're just kidding, everyone knows gamers don't wear sleeves.) And they've just given us a glimpse of what to expect. Three of them, actually.

The benchmark of any good racing game is how faithfully it reproduces some of our most favorite race tracks. And if that's the gold standard, then Need for Speed SHIFT is shaping up to be a great one. If you'll follow us after the jump, you can enjoy three new videos outlining EA's take on three of America's best circuits: Laguna Seca, Willow Springs and Road America - complete with run-downs of each track's histories and intricacies. The game launches in North America on September 15, but you can check out the videos now.

[Source: YouTube]

Continue reading VIDEOS: Need for Speed SHIFT track guides for Road America, Willow Springs and Laguna Seca

VIDEOS: Need for Speed SHIFT track guides for Road America, Willow Springs and Laguna Seca originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 03 Sep 2009 12:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VIDEOS: Need for Speed SHIFT includes Lexus LF-A, BMW M3 GT2, lots of awesome

Noah Joseph — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 11:27:00 EST

Filed under: Videos, Toys/Games

Click above to watch videos after the jump

The holidays come for auto freaks several times a year, and we call those times auto shows. But with the motor show calendar on break for the summer, we got an unexpected injection of octane from this year's E3 video game expo. As if it weren't enough to catch a glimpse at such promising upcoming releases as Forza Motorosport 3, Gran Turismo 5 and Codemasters' FUEL, we've now got another one to add to our shopping lists: Need for Speed SHIFT.

Although previous installments of the NFS franchise focused on outrunning the po-po and tricking out imports, as our thumb-cramped compatriots over at Joystiq found out just this past March, SHIFT promises to deliver a pure racing simulator. EA has now released the full list of cars (including such highlights as the Lexus LF-A, Pagani Zonda R, Nissan GT-R SpecV, BMW M3 GT2 and Audi R8 LMS) and tracks (including the Nürburgring, Laguna Seca and Willow Springs) that'll be included in the game, along with a pair of videos that we've posted after the jump. Check 'em out, and prepare to lose sleep.

Gallery: Need for Speed SHIFT

Continue reading VIDEOS: Need for Speed SHIFT includes Lexus LF-A, BMW M3 GT2, lots of awesome

VIDEOS: Need for Speed SHIFT includes Lexus LF-A, BMW M3 GT2, lots of awesome originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 05 Jun 2009 11:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Need for Speed franchise splitting into trio

Jonathon Ramsey — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 19:01:00 EST

Filed under: Gadgets, Etc.

Click above for a high-res gallery of screenshots from coming Need for Speed titles

Electronic Arts, the folks who recently brought us Need for Speed: Undercover, are now working on three (possibly four) new titles in the franchise. According to EA, they're just trying to "keep the game fresh and the players entertained." If you're a cynic, you're getting another plate of something that hasn't tasted good since Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit.

Your three options will be NFS: Shift, NFS: Nitro, and NFS: World Online. Shift is "built for racers by racers" and will "deliver a true driver's experience that reflects contemporary motorsports." Nitro is an arcade take on the game with "a fresh and unique visual style." World Online is a free web-based player that "takes the race into the largest open world in the history of Need for Speed."

And if you believe the skinny from Eurogamer, EA is working on a fourth NFS that will continue the work of "crafting different games for different audiences and their unique tastes in the driving category." As for the ones we know about, Speed and Nitro will hit shelves this fall, with World Online following in winter. For now, you can can read the press release after the jump, and check out the high-res screenshots below.

Gallery: Need for Speed Shift, Nitro, and World Online

[Source: Joystiq]

Continue reading Need for Speed franchise splitting into trio

Need for Speed franchise splitting into trio originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 02 Feb 2009 19:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Drive the Nissan 370Z in Need for Speed: Undercover weeks before it goes on sale

Chris Shunk — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 12:54:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Nissan, Toys/Games

Click above to view high-res gallery of the Nissan 370Z in Need for Speed: Undercover

The new 2010 Nissan 370Z was unveiled earlier today and will make its official debut at the LA Auto Show next month before going on sale in early 2009. The new Z car will also make an unusual debut within Electronic Arts' new racing game, Need for Speed: Undercover, which goes on sale November 18th. We already knew the car was involved in the game somehow after it was seen in screen shots of in-game video.

Driving games today have no trouble recreating cars down to the smallest detail, and Nissan says it worked hand in hand with the game's studio developer, Black Box, to make sure its new sports car was accurately rendered and drives like it does in real life. This means you'll be able to pilot the 370Z, at least in the virtual sense, weeks before it arrives on dealers lots. And from the look of these screen captures in our gallery below, the car took to being digitized quite well. We were going to pick up the new Need for Speed anyway, but this just gives us all the more reason.

Gallery: Nissan 370Z in Need for Speed: Undercover

Gallery: 2010 Nissan 370Z

[Source: Nissan, EA]

Continue reading Drive the Nissan 370Z in Need for Speed: Undercover weeks before it goes on sale

Drive the Nissan 370Z in Need for Speed: Undercover weeks before it goes on sale originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 29 Oct 2008 12:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Free gas promotion for video game goes awry in UK

John Neff — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 09:04:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Europe

Automakers and car dealerships have used the old "Free Gas" promotion to good effect, so it's not surprising that companies outside the industry might try it, too. Electronic Arts gave it a go recently to promote its new Mercenaries 2 video game in the UK by taking over a gas station in North London and giving away £20,000 ($35,000) worth of free gas. The free fuel was pumped by actors wearing military garb (with bandoliers!) in £40 increments to any who drove up. While those receiving the priceless petrol were thrilled, area residents and motorists just trying to drive by called the PR stunt "irresponsible and dangerous". Locals had their driveways blocked for hours and were forced to listen to a symphony of horns from exasperated drivers trying to negotiate the giant queue of cars. Beginning at 6:30 in the morning, the promo was supposed to go on until all £20,000 worth of gas had been pumped, but authorities shut it down just four hours later. While EA may have peeved the locals, news of its blunder has spread across the web like wildfire and given Mercs 2 more free exposure than it would've gotten otherwise.

[Source: BBC via Joystiq]

Free gas promotion for video game goes awry in UK originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 06 Sep 2008 09:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Coming to a console near you: Need for Speed: Undercover

Jonathon Ramsey — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 19:28:00 EST

Filed under: Videos, Toys/Games

Click above to view video after the jump

The trailer for Need for Speed: Undercover is out, and it is 60 straight seconds of "We want." The in-game texture looks primo and the storyline sections are a nice mix full-motion and rendered video. We have no idea what the game involves yet, so we can only hope that EA has restored some of the buck-wild madness that was missing from Need for Speed: ProStreet. We do know, however, that not only have police chases returned, but the boys in blue appear to be driving... R34 Nissan GT-Rs. So if as the sultry voiceover in the trailers says, "This is all going to come crashing down," it looks like you'll have a whole lot of fun making rubble. Follow the jump for the video, and check out the Need for Speed site for a couple more. Thanks for the tip, catgirlshyla!

[Source: EA]

Continue reading Coming to a console near you: Need for Speed: Undercover

Coming to a console near you: Need for Speed: Undercover originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 03 Sep 2008 19:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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