Need For Speed Developers Were Thrilled To Add Motorbike And “Most Wanted” Mode

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As a lifelong fan of the Need for Speed franchise, I was absolutely thrilled to hear about the Volume 9 update that introduced a motorcycle and a new mode inspired by the iconic Most Wanted game. I remember playing the original Need for Speed: Most Wanted back in 2005 on my old PlayStation 2, and it’s still one of my favorite games in the series.

For the very first time since it began thirty years ago, the renowned racing series Need for Speed has ventured beyond cars with the addition of a motorcycle. This new mode of transport is part of the latest update for Need for Speed Unbound, specifically Volume 9, which released on November 26, 2024. Alongside the motorcycle, this update also brought Lockdown Mode, an intense heist-style gameplay where teams of players must snatch cars from secure areas, and fifteen vehicles inspired by the legendary Blacklist from Need for Speed: Most Wanted. The developers behind Need for Speed were thrilled about these changes as they not only introduced a new dimension to the series but also paid tribute to one of its most iconic installments.

At a press gathering marking the 30th anniversary of the Need for Speed series, Game Rant heard intricate details about the upcoming Volume 9 update directly from the development team. They were especially thrilled about incorporating a motorcycle, mentioning it as something they had long aspired to include. Moreover, anticipation was high regarding a gameplay style reminiscent of Most Wanted, which they characterized as a standout title in the franchise and an authentic representation of the series overall.

This Is The First Ever Playable Motorbike In A Need For Speed Game

In a groundbreaking move for the “Need for Speed” franchise, its inaugural motorcycle model is the 2019 BMW S1000 RR. This bike can be utilized in both the novel Lockdown Mode and select Player versus Player (PVP) events. Over the years, BMW has proven to be a dependable collaborator for “Need for Speed”; most recently, they created a real-life replica of the BMW M3 GTR from “Most Wanted”. Regrettably, the M3 GTR will not be up for sale and will instead remain on display at the BMW Welt space in Munich, Germany.

The group was brimming with eagerness regarding the motorcycle. John Stanley, the creative director, mentioned he’s watched the twenty-times trailer of volume 9, yet each time still triggers a thrill in him. He disclosed that the team had long desired to incorporate a motorcycle, but held off until now as they aimed for perfection. Realism and authenticity are paramount concerns for the vehicle design team, who collaborate closely with their automobile manufacturer partners to make everything as true-to-life as achievable.

A Most Wanted-Inspired Mode Was Chosen Because Of That Game’s Iconic Nature

In the latest update for Need for Speed Unbound, a fresh gameplay mode called Lockdown is being introduced, drawing inspiration from the 2012 title, Need for Speed: Most Wanted. This mode will pit teams of players against each other in high-stakes heists, where they must retrieve cars from secured locations while navigating traps, security cameras, and, needless to say, the ever-present law enforcement. The developers decided to pay homage to Most Wanted in this way as they view it as one of the most memorable titles within the series. To put it simply, Stanley described the new mode as a thrilling race against time and adversity.

We’ve decided to release a fresh game mode called Lockdown, which is a fusion of PvP (Player vs Player) and PvE (Player vs Environment). This unique approach has never been attempted before – it’s our first attempt at creating a round-based online multiplayer experience. Our aim was to capture the thrilling risk-reward dynamic that we’ve perfected in [Most Wanted].

Additionally, cars from the Blacklist in the game “Need for Speed: Most Wanted” will now be included in the game. This includes the car owned by Taz, a character played by Justin Wiede when the original actor failed to appear. The latest update for “Unbound” is meant to honor “Most Wanted” and its contributions to the series, while also introducing something fresh – a motorcycle. The development team for “Need for Speed” isn’t certain about its future direction yet, but they are eager to continue working on the series, releasing more games and vehicles in the coming days.

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2024-12-01 14:13