TVG finds EA in a mysterious mood when it comes to talking about the latest Need for Speed...

The Need for Speed brand continues to grow and offer unsurpassed ideas and innovations. Just when you feel the game can’t go any further, improve or expand on an idea, the development team come up with a cunning design or theme to add even more exhilaration to this fast and stomach churning velocity experience.

Nothing is cooler than driving in the neatest looking car at breakneck speed. Why have the latest souped up chick mobile if you have to stick to the speed limit? What’s the point in spending out all that dosh on a car if the Need for Speed is the only way to gratify and give you that feel good feeling?

The best way to describe Most Wanted is Hot Pursuit with a dash of Underground and a lot lot more. Most Wanted? Well you can’t resist wanting to burn some rubber but that will not impress the police who just can’t abide speed trippers. These cops are smart and have some great technology so evading, avoiding and out manoeuvring them is pretty cool! Players will be able to build up their Rap Sheet with record breaking times, street challenges and out-foxing an escalation of police vehicles, tactics and technology.

Although the EA Need for Speed team graciously answered a number of our questions, they were less forthcoming on exactly what cars will be included but we do know that a mammoth selection of sports, tuners and muscle cars will be included and you will be spoilt for choice.

The all important backdrops/environments are East Coast US, so it’s sunshine and bling. Expect the usual gambit of customisation greasy options, bigger and more powerful engines, even more attention to detail but it’s evading of the cops, really feeling the heat is on when you are being chased, that is a core focus. Now some might say, why nark the boys in blue, why not be smart? Well it’s a choice between being the Most Wanted and having so much fun and excitement that you could fill you pants or being totally bored!

The open environments, the motorways, the urban rat traps all say, race me hard, race me fast and then you have the added equation of other vehicles that ramp the excitement factor up.

"The new technology has enabled us to revamp the process on how we make our cars for next gen."

What were some of the main objectives in terms of game design for Need for Speed – Most wanted?

The goal in Need For Speed: Most Wanted is to become the most notorious and illicit street racer. Breaking rules and causing trouble for the cops is key to achieving this infamous reputation. The player must stay one step ahead of the cops, and tuning and customizing your car will do this. What this creates is a great set of gameplay mechanics and something we are sure players will enjoy.

Do you see ‘Most Wanted’ as a bridge between Hot Pursuit and Underground and what do you see as it’s distinguishing gameplay features? What does it offer over and above the aforementioned titles?

The EAs driving team is always striving to find new ways to innovate and provide fresh gameplay experiences, even in such firmly established genres like racing. For Need for Speed: Most Wanted, we are turning up the tension a notch or two to deliver an edgier experience. Racing at night is one thing but trying to race during the day with all the traffic and cop presence is where the real danger is at.

What gameplay modes can we look forward to and what kind of slant does the game have – arcade or semi realistic?

Need For Speed has always been about providing the player with a simulation feel but ensuring not to punish the player for trying to execute cool manoeuvres that sometimes verge on the arcade side of gameplay. Need For Speed: Most Wanted continues to hone the driving model of the game and has been a huge focus this year to ensure we deliver an exhilarating driving experience.

Being developed across all formats it is a nice bridge between the next gen machines. With so many machines to cater for how do you adapt the game so it fits on all formats and what sort of compromises are made?

It is very exciting to be working on another generation of consoles. The infinite detail that can be visually achieved on the cars and in the environment is mind-blowing; plus, you add next-gen gameplay features, car physics and high definition on top of that, and Need for Speed: Most Wanted is truly an addictive experience. The new technology has enabled us to revamp the process on how we make our cars for next gen. The source materials that we need in order to create the next generation car has to be extremely high resolution; so NFS: MW is using new and innovative technology called ‘laser scanning” on the licensed cars used for reference. How this works is that a laser wand is scanned over the car to provide geometry and surface textures of the vehicle with the resolution of 250 microns, (a pin head), which generates amazing detail, like flecks in the paint. And yes – you can see the paint flecks on the in-game cars as well – the detail of the cars in Need for Speed: Most Wanted is phenomenal!

Will you be able to earn money and how expansive will you be able to customize/ tune and what new features will be associated with this area?

Customization is still a huge part of Need for Speed: Most Wanted. Players will be able to upgrade the performance of their cars to race against any class of vehicles as well as outrun the cops. Players will also have the challenge of managing their heat meter to keep the cops off their tail and one of the key ways they can do this is to take their car into the shop and change its appearance.

What are some of the cars and vehicles and are there any that will be new to NFS fans?

It’s too early to unveil the entire car list or classes, but I can say that Need for Speed: Most Wanted will definitely offer gamers more variety in cars than has been found in any other Need for Speed title to date. We have a broad selection of vehicles to choose from including import tuners, super cars, muscle cars and sports cars.

The police chases will be a central focus to the game. How long will the chases last and will there be a number of parameters to their length and the aggressive nature the police might take?

Need for Speed: Most Wanted takes place in an open world and cops will always be there patrolling the streets. You’ll have to keep your wits about you once they latch onto you, in order to shake them loose. There are many levels of cop escalation or ‘heat’ and many skill-based strategic tactics you can use to outfox them. Need for Speed: Most Wanted is the first game that delivers on the emotional build-up and rollercoaster experience of a police pursuit. We will pull the emotional strings of the user, put them in situations that are dramatically real and intense, provide escalation of police vehicles and tactics, and wrap it all up with dramatic pursuit climaxes -- all while placing the player’s fate in their own hands.

What has been a focus for the environments?

Need for Speed: Most Wanted environments are more industrial and urban. It has a real gritty edge to it. It is inspired by a number of East Coast urban areas in the United States.

What would be the pitch for the game to sell, if you have all the NFS games and are happy!?

I think players will be blown away by the cop pursuits that make full use of the open world. Coupled with some of the amazing visuals, I think the player will be in for a real treat.