Electronic Arts in Development of Need for Speed: High Stakes for the PC
Bob Flaminio
New Title in Highly Popular Racing Series to Deliver Highly Addictive and
Unique PC Racing Experience that Encompasses the Ultimate Race with Real
Consequences
REDWOOD CITY, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 23, 1999-- Electronic Arts(TM)
(Nasdaq:ERTS - news), the world's largest interactive entertainment software
company, announces the development of its highly anticipated PC version of
Need For Speed(TM): High Stakes.
This latest addition to the award-winning series follows the release of its
PlayStation® counterpart of the same name earlier this year. Staying true to
the franchise known for catering to different platform gamers with unique
components, this PC title is set to deliver a high speed, action-packed
racing experience through an array of fresh and challenging gameplay
features.
``We are very excited to be delivering PC racers the next iteration in the
Need For Speed series,'' says Peter Royea, product manager at Electronic
Arts. ``This game will proudly carry on the legacy of the series, which is
successfully incorporating innovative and unique game features that cater to
what PC gamers demand in a quality racing title.''
Need For Speed: High Stakes for the PC ups the ante by introducing a series
of new and improved gameplay characteristics specifically designed for the
PC version of the game, as well as folding in key features from its
PlayStation counterpart.
PC racing enthusiasts will find polygonal car damage (which can be turned
off/on) that affects the car appearance and performance; a total of 18
licensed sports and supercars (including five pursuit vehicles); 19 unique
tracks (including nine tracks from the previous NFS title); and stunning
special effects and graphics that capitalizes on the PC technology.
Such touches include detailed 3-D dashboards that light up during night time
driving and car interiors that can be viewed by toggling from left, right
and back; animated drivers in both player and opponent cars; customizable
license plates; varying weather conditions; oncoming traffic and day/night
time driving with functional reverse, head and tail lights.
The title will feature two key gameplay modes:
-- Career Play -- a progressive series of 30 tournaments, Knockouts
and High Stakes races in which players will compete in for
virtual "money" that can be used for car purchases, repairs and
upgrades. The ultimate challenges in the tournament structure
will pit a single human racer in an intense head-to-head duel
against an Artificial Intelligence (AI) opponent where they must
bet one of their highly prized cars. Helping to build the emotion
and intensity, each of the cars wagered are those that the player
has spent time/effort earning and customizing in previous races.
At the end, the winner takes possession of the loser's car --
human racer wins AI car or AI opponent obtains human racer car.
-- Single Player Arcade -- a multi-layered mode that will offer five
unique gameplay modes to help raise the stakes and consequences
of true competition. These include Knockout, Tournament and three
intense "Hot Pursuit" modes ("Classic" -- borrowed from the
previous NFS title, "Get Away" -- attempt to evade the AI police
as long as they can or human cop needs to catch AI speeder in the
least amount of time, and "Time Trap"-- timed race which players
try to get to the finish line before getting arrested or arrest
speeders before they cross the finish line).
Staying true to the NFS heritage is the level of attention given to each of
the featured exotics, including improved real-time lighting and reflective
environmental mapping. Each of the cars is created from exact manufacturer
specifications and will be supported by a comprehensive reference section.
This will include a slide show containing photos of their real-life
counterparts, a 360-degree panning virtual reality interior camera and
respective specifications such as weight, torque, horsepower, top speed,
acceleration and braking performance, engine type, handling characteristics
and audio history of the cars.
Some of the 18 supercars that will be available include: Porsche® 911®
Turbo, BMW(TM) M5(TM), BMW Z3(TM), Mercedes(TM) CLK(TM) GTR, Mercedes
SLK(TM) 230, Chevrolet(TM) Corvette(TM), Chevrolet Camaro(TM), Ferrari(TM)
F50, Ferrari 550 Maranello(TM), Jaguar(TM) XKR(TM), Lamborghini(TM) Diablo
SV(TM), McLaren F1 GTR(TM) and Pontiac(TM) Firebird(TM) T/A(TM). The pursuit
cars that will be available include Chevrolet Camaro, BMW M5, Chevrolet
Corvette C5, Porsche 911 Turbo and Lamborghini Diablo SV.
Need For Speed: High Stakes for the PC will also allow players to insert and
listen to an audio CD of their choice in lieu of the game's music. Helping
to cater to racing enthusiasts of all types, the game will also support both
3-D acceleration as well as software rendering.
Need For Speed: High Stakes will carry an ``E'' Everyone ESRB rating. This
PC game is currently being developed by Electronic Arts Seattle and will be
published worldwide by Electronic Arts this summer. More information can be
found on the EA NFS product web site at http://www.needforspeed.com.
Electronic Arts, headquartered in Redwood City, is the world's leading
interactive entertainment software company. Founded in 1982, Electronic Arts
posted revenues of more than $1.1 billion for calendar 1998. The company
develops, publishes and distributes software worldwide for personal
computers and advanced entertainment systems. Electronic Arts markets its
products under seven brand names: Electronic Arts, EA SPORTS(TM), Maxis(TM),
ORIGIN(TM), Bullfrog(TM) Productions, Westwood Studios(TM) and Jane's®
Combat Simulations. More information about EA's products and full text of
press releases can be found on the Internet at http://www.ea.com.
Note to Editors: Electronic Arts, EA SPORTS, ORIGIN, Maxis, Bullfrog,
Westwood Studios and Need For Speed are trademarks or registered trademarks
of Electronic Arts or its wholly owned subsidiaries in the U.S. and/or other
countries. Jane's is a registered trademark of Jane's Information Group,
Ltd. Ferrari, Ferrari F50 and Ferrari 550 Maranello are trademarks of
Ferrari S.p.A. The word ``Jaguar'' and the characters XKR are trademarks of
JAGUAR CART LTD, ENGLAND and are used under license. Chevrolet, Corvette,
Camaro, Firebird, T/A and Pontiac are General Motors Trademarks used under
license to Electronic Arts Inc. ``Mercedes'', ``Mercedes Benz'', ``CLK'' and
``SLK'' are trademarks of Daimler-Benz AG. Automobili Lamborghini and Diablo
SV are trademarks of Automobili Lamborghini S.p.A McLaren and McLaren F1 GTR
are trademarks of McLaren Cars N.V. BMW, Z3, and M5 are trademarks of BMW
AG. Licensed from Dr. Ing h.c.F. Porsche AG under certain Patents. Porsche
and 911 are registered trademarks of Dr. Ing. h.c.F. Porsche AG. PlayStation
is a registered trademark of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. All other
trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
WizzFizz
can players have profiles?
as in, u choose your name at the start and if there are several players on
one computer then their individual settings can be preserved? much like that
of the monster truck madness game.
even if this is not in the original game could it be put in later with a
patch?
-WizzFizz (the good stuff)
Martin
You're late
too late
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| Martin |
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