Next ‘Need For Speed’ Reboots For PS4, Xbox One, And PC As Open World Racer

Need for Speed, Electronic Arts’ primary racing franchise, is returning to streets this fall. The next iteration of the franchise is receiving a full reboot though. A trailer released Thursday teases the new look, while clues were dropped on what direction the racing title is headed.

The teaser trailer that was released reveals a laundry list of potential gameplay elements that borrows from previous titles in the series. There are bits of Underground with street racing and Most Wanted with the police cars giving chase. Additionally, the announcement reveals a turn towards Burnout Paradise and Forza Horizon.

“Need for Speed returns in Fall 2015 to PS4, Xbox One and PC in an action driving experience that unites the culture of speed,” the description in the teaser trailer reads on YouTube.

“The new NFS game will feature deep customisation, authentic urban car culture, a nocturnal open world, and an immersive narrative that pulls you through the game.”

@UKDaniel_Fraser YES! Full reboot of the franchise

— Need for Speed (@NeedforSpeed) May 21, 2015

The “nocturnal open world” line means that Need for Speed may be played in a perpetual night time setting. Going open world is the trend for racing games lately but lends itself to the desire to push a narrative in between races.

The Need for Speed reboot is being developed by Ghost Games who previously worked on Need for Speed Rivals. The studio was formed in 2011 with veterans from various racing titles such as Project Gotham, Forza Horizon, and other Need for Speed games.

Ghost Games is also working with EA’s car culture community site, Speedhunters, to try and capture the urban race setting.

“Need for Speed will deliver an experience that’s grounded in authentic car culture by diving into the rich world of past, present and emergent trends of the urban car scene,” the game’s press release states. “This collaboration with Speedhunters in the research and development of the game means the level of detail and real-world authenticity will envelop gamers in an exciting world to discover and enjoy in a way that only Need for Speed can deliver.”

“Need for Speed is one of the most iconic names in gaming, and we’re returning it to greatness in this reboot,” said Marcus Nilsson, Executive Producer at Ghost Games. “Pulling on our 20 years of history, and then taking a year out from releasing a game, we are making the game we’ve always wanted to. We’re listening to the fans and delivering an experience that will capture their imagination and unleash their passion for cars and speed.”

Expect the full Need for Speed reveal during Electronic Arts’ 2015 E3 press conference on Monday, June 15 at 4 p.m. ET / 1 p.m. PT.

[Images via Need for Speed]