Need for Speed Vehicle Designer Talks Relationships With Car Manufacturers

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As a lifelong gamer with a special affinity for the Need for Speed series, I can wholeheartedly attest to the intertwining of this iconic franchise and the vibrant world of car culture. Having grown up playing these games, I’ve always been fascinated by the level of detail and authenticity that goes into each vehicle design, a passion that has only intensified over the years as I’ve immersed myself deeper into the world of automobiles.

The iconic racing video game series, “Need for Speed,” is marking its 30th anniversary in 2024, prompting its creators and engineers to reflect on the franchise’s past. They delved into how the “Need for Speed” series has intertwined with car culture, highlighted their favorite games that encapsulated the series best, and shared stories about their global collaborations with automobile manufacturers to ensure an authentic representation of various vehicles in each game.

At a press conference, Bryn Alban – a vehicle designer who has been part of the Need for Speed series since 2009’s “Shift” game – shared insights about his long-standing connections with various car manufacturers. These lasting ties have enabled Alban’s team to prioritize authenticity when incorporating each new automobile into the games, resulting in a diverse selection that spans from luxury models like Porsche and Ferrari to race cars meticulously equipped for competition.

Need For Speed And Car Culture Have Become Fully Intertwined

Alban shared that when it comes to creating vehicles for the game “Need for Speed,” he dives deep into automotive culture, ensuring he stays current with evolving trends. Beyond manufacturers themselves, he finds SpeedHunters website particularly useful. This journey, from working in car design to becoming a fervent car enthusiast himself, is something Alban described.

“From an authenticity standpoint, that lands squarely on my shoulders. I’ve gotta be the one who brings that to the table. It’s been my bread and butter in my own free time over the past 20 years. I’ve engrossed myself in car culture, and I like to think that brings the authenticity into Need for Speed as well.”

Alban mentioned that over the years, he’s observed a significant change in how the “Need for Speed” series is perceived. Today, these games are deeply entwined with car culture, attracting many automobile and car enthusiasts who have also become fans of “Need for Speed.” He highlighted that this connection has resulted in long-lasting collaborations with certain automobile manufacturers, such as BMW and Nissan, with whom he’s worked closely during his tenure developing “Need for Speed.

Need For Speed’s Car Manufacturer Partnerships Will Continue In The Future

The Need for Speed series has no plans to halt its collaborations with car manufacturers in the future. Notably, BMW, one of the series’ longest-standing partners, recently built a real-life replica of the M3 GTR from Need for Speed: Most Wanted. The team was ecstatic about this partnership, with creative director John Stanley beaming with joy as he talked about the “thrilling new project.” The team considered it a dream come true, seeing Most Wanted as one of the most “memorable” Need for Speed games and truly symbolic of the franchise as a whole.

In essence, Bryn Alban clarified that the alliance between the Need for Speed series and actual car manufacturers isn’t always constant – it can shift quickly based on who holds the reins. However, as the series expands its influence within the automotive world, they are optimistic that they will continue to collaborate with real-life auto designers and engineers to produce increasingly authentic vehicles. It’s possible that, similar to the M3 GTR, the Need for Speed team may also design and build a few more cars of their own, which could potentially transition from virtual gaming into reality in the future.

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2024-12-02 02:13