ea-black-box
Latest
Michael Bay trailer for Need for Speed: The Run doesn't remind us of anything
Michael Bay knows his way around swiftly moving metal machines, which may be why EA Black Box recruited him to direct a cinematic trailer for Need for Speed: The Run. It's fast-paced, sleek, sexy and gritty, and we could easily see it, starring Shia LaBeouf and Megan Fox's lips, in the previews before The Rum Diary. However, EA would have to change the name. Need for Speed: Rise of the Runatron, would work, we think.
Need for Speed: The Run multiplayer trailer spins the wheel
Chance plays a pretty big role in the multiplayer component of Need for Speed: The Run. Not in the actual driving -- though it'd be neat if you had to maneuver around the occasional stray buffalo -- but in the pre-match modifiers, as seen in the trailer above.
Need for Speed: The Run, now with cold-blooded murder
We always kinda knew that someone was gonna go careening off a cliff in a high-end sports car at some point during Need for Speed: The Run, we just didn't expect to see their surprised face going over said cliff. But hey, here we are.
Need for Speed: The Run - A People Chase
Ever gone on a spontaneous road trip with your friends? You all suddenly decide that you should absolutely take a trip to Vegas for the evening, and you can totally come back the next day. You all put on suits, pile into the car ... and three hours later, with everyone sleeping in the car, you remember it's actually a five hour drive. The moment's been lost. That's the problem Brian Lindley and his team are facing with EA's race across the country in Need for Speed: The Run. "If you think about actually trying to drive across the country," says Lindley, "it might get a little monotonous, even when you're racing." To combat that issue, Lindley and the Black Box folks have created a new "Battle" race mode, one of a few different ways the team is hoping to vary the pace as protagonist Jack makes The Run. %Gallery-135165%
EA trotting out Need for Speed: The Run demo October 18
You'll have the opportunity to sample Need for Speed: The Run's signature combination of dramatic racing sequences and inexplicable on-foot excursions in a demo on October 18. It's running out in advance of the game's November 15 release date. According to EA, the sample places you behind the wheel of a Lamborghini Gallardo LP 550-2 Valentino Balboni, in a desert setting. Additionally, you'll somehow get access to an in-game 2012 Porsche 911 Carrera S if you "refer a friend" to the demo -- we're asking EA for details of that odd promotion.
Need for Speed: The Run limited edition comes with trio of extra supercars
Like buying games brand new? EA sure wants you to, as its "Limited Edition" of Need for Speed: The Run incentivizes just such a purchase with the bonus inclusion of three fancy sports cars -- for the same price as the regular ol' "normal" edition, no less. Along with special access to a Porsche 911 Carrera S, a Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, and a Lamborghini Aventador, picking up the "Limited Edition" nets you "five exclusive Challenges" to slay with your high-powered sports car of choice. The only version of the Limited Edition that we can spot thus far is on EA's own Origin PC download store for the totally-normal-edition price of $49.99, so it stands to reason that the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 versions are similarly priced ($59.99 on consoles). Just to be sure, we've asked EA for a better idea of what to expect, price-wise, come November. Update: EA clarified that the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 versions will cost the standard $59.99, and the "Limited Edition" will operate similarly to the "Limited Edition" version of Battlefield: Bad Company 2.%Gallery-129770%
Need for Speed: The Run preview: Getting back behind the wheel
"You're not trying to get first, you're trying to make up ground," Need for Speed: The Run producer Alex Grimbley explained to me during a demo session in midtown Manhattan last week. Rather than putting priority on being the absolute first during individual races, The Run focuses on an overall place in a cross-country race, amounting to roughly 200 miles of in-game track spread across the US. And yes, it'll allow you to go back to individual areas and work on improving track times. "Get to 101st by the time you make it here, get to 50th by the time you make it to Chicago, get to the top 10 by the time you make it to New York ... so this is a different take on a sprint race," Grimbley continued.%Gallery-129279%
Need for Speed: The Run lets you get out of your car, take off running
As you can see above, Need for Speed: The Run is about more than just driving cars across the United States as fast as possible. Apparently, it's also about hopping out of your car and running like hell while all sorts of madness chases after you. During EA's E3 2011 presser, a controller-laden developer took the reins and, well, ran as fast as possible, eventually leaping from a building as a helicopter fired on him. He then snagged a cop car and took off as the helicopter continued after him, all the while dropping bullets by the boatload. We'll have the trailer up for you as soon as possible, but for now, know this: you'll totally be able to run around on two feet in Need for Speed: The Run, as well as spin out on four tires.
Need for Speed: The Run detailed, racing to stores Nov. 15
Following yesterday's teaser reveal of Need for Speed: The Run, EA has today spelled out some details we didn't know and confirmed some that we inferred from the trailer. First and foremost, the game is indeed speeding toward a holiday release date of November 15, 2011 in North America (and Nov. 17 in Europe). EA Black Box is at the wheel (as rumored), with EA DICE's Frostbite 2 engine under the hood. Additionally, The Run will feature the much-loved Autolog feature (as loved in Hot Pursuit and Shift 2), as well as the "hot cars and crazy-fast chases" we've come to expect from the NFS series. As seen in the trailer, the game will follow racers cross-country (Cannonball Run-style) from San Francisco to New York, with plenty of stops in between. EA's announcement also notes that "entering the race is just the beginning," with races taking place in "dense urban traffic," on "icy mountain passes" and "narrow canyons." Presumably we'll find out more about The Run as E3 approaches, this June.%Gallery-122527%
Need for Speed World population passes 3 million registered racers
After going free-to-play back in September, Need for Speed World has added roughly 2 million users to its online racetracks, surpassing 3 million registered users in total. Just imagine rush hour! Although the majority of the expanded user base can be attributed to the change to a free-to-play business model, the recent localization of the game into French, Polish, Russian and Spanish likely contributed to the rise in licensed drivers, too. Now, how would EA say, "Please buy some DLC" in those languages?
Next Need for Speed coming from EA Black Box, Burnout's not dead
Criterion may have swiped development duties for the upcoming installment in EA's ancient racing franchise, Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit, but it seems the franchise will land in familiar hands for the series' next iteration. In a recent interview with Eurogamer, EA senior vice president Patrick Soderlund responded to a question about whether Black Box would be behind the wheel of next year's Need for Speed, saying "you can assume that, yes." Later, he cheekily implied that one could safely assume that. On the off-chance that you don't need the Need for Speed, Soderlund also shared a bit about the future of EA's other flagship racing franchise: Burnout. Soderlund explained, "we haven't made a decision to whether Burnout does this or that, but it's not dead for sure, no," adding that the publisher is currently "prioritizing what we want to do." Here, allow us to help arrange those priorities: A spiritual successor to Burnout 3: Takedown A new, non-motion-controlled SSX Everything else
EA boss says Need for Speed series was hurt by 'death march' dev cycle
EA CEO John Riccitiello told attendees of a recent Bank of America conference (via CVG) that Need for Speed developer Black Box Studios was "on a death march, building for five years in a row," citing a decline in sales between 2004 and 2007 as the end result. "[They were] annual iterations, they had to put it out; no rest for the weary," Riccitiello said. He then explained that "It was definitely our fault," adding, "Those days are gone. We're back in two studios and we've got them on bi-annual cycles." In his opinion, the forthcoming Hot Pursuit reboot is the fruit of that changed-up development cycle. "This year is right back in the core action driving ... it's had a two-year dev cycle ... I feel great about it," he posited. Oddly, no mention was made of the now annual Black Box franchise Skate, but we're hoping for an announcement of Skate: Hot Pursuit by year's end.
Need for Speed World shifts to free-to-play model, as user base passes 1 million milestone
EA has announced that Need For Speed World, its MMO racer, has surpassed one million registered players since going live on July 27. With this milestone comes word that the game will soon be adding a co-op pursuit mode and expanded customization options (in addition to the already-promised new gameworld areas). Oh, and it's gone completely free-to-play. Originally free only up to level 10 -- requiring a $20 investment for the "full" experience -- Need For Speed World has removed its base cost, although the purchase of items, power-ups, car rentals and other premium content will remain an option under the F2P model.
Need for Speed World pulls up to the starting line on July 27
Anxious to envelop yourself in your Maserati's splendor and hit some hairpin turns at 100mph? Well, you can do that later. Now we want to tell you about this video game. EA has announced that its MMO experiment, Need for Speed World, will be available for download on July 27 -- a week later than initially expected. Those who pre-ordered the Need for Speed World Starter Pack -- a $20 primer that gives players $20 in SpeedBoost (in-game currency), full access up to level 50 and some power-ups including Nitrous and Traffic Magnet -- get a week's head start and can play Need for Speed World starting today. Those who pre-ordered get further incentive in exclusive cars, double experience points, driver name reservation and permanent VIP status. Racers looking for a free taste of the game will be able to download a special trial version (that unlocks all game modes and provides free play up to level ten) here as of July 27.
Need for Speed: Shift 2, Black Box-developed NFS both hinted for 2011
A pair of LinkedIn profiles suggests that at least two Need for Speed titles will be released next year. According to the profile page of programmer Chris Mcclure, he was at NFS: Shift developer Sightly Mad Studios from August 2009 – February 2010 where he "worked on new open world technology but also worked on Need For Speed Shift too." Cleverly, Mcclure altered this statement today from "... but also worked on Need For Speed Shift 2" after his apparent reveal was spotted by superannuation (and preserved by Google's cache). The original Shift was released in September 2009, and if Mcclure is covering his tracks, then a sequel was likely underway as work on the first game wrapped, which would allow roughly the minimum development time necessary to release Shift 2 some time during the first quarter of 2011. Recall that in February, during an earnings call, EA dated a Need for Speed game for that period. COO John Schappert described the unnamed iteration as "another big driving simulation" (Conference Call Script [PDF]). "Need For Speed: Shift 2" would be a good fit for that description and time frame.
The Sims 3 hits the 'Fast Lane' this fall
Even though The Sims 3 is gearing up to give console gamers the chance to live vicariously through its virtual, incoherent inhabitants in October, it doesn't mean EA has ceased support for the PC version of the game. In fact, there's a new expansion coming this fall, titled "The Sims 3 Fast Lane Stuff" pack. This new content pack gives players the choice between four different lifestyle options: racing; intrigue; rockabilly; and classic luxury. Each option provides your Sim with custom furniture, outfits, and vehicles suited to the respective lifestyle choice -- there's even a garage for storing and/or pimping your rides. Suddenly, Xzibit's services don't seem so valuable. If you want to pre-order the $20 add-on, head on over to the EA Store and have at it. In the meanwhile, feel free to swerve into our gallery below for some new screens. %Gallery-96573%
Skate 3 'Maloof Money Cup' DLC available on June 8
EA Black Box has announced the first downloadable content pack for Skate 3, which rolled into stores on May 11th. Dubbed "The Maloof Money Cup 2010 NYC Pack," the download will launch on Xbox Live and PlayStation Network next week, on June 8th, for 400 MS Points or $5. It'll add 100 Gamerscore points, five new Trophies and -- oh! -- new things for you to do if you're playing to have fun. Taking a few steps away from the game's Port Carverton playground, the Maloof Money Cup event has you competing in Flushing Meadows, New York, where "the site of the 1964 World's Fair has been converted into one gnarly skate mecca." Said gnarly skate mecca adds new challenges and includes a new, custom-built street park in which impressive skating can net you heaps of cash. And that could only lead to even more fame, fortune and a lucrative sponsorship with McDonalds. I'm Maloofin' it.
Need for Speed World opens up July 20
EA has announced a July 20 date for the official launch of Need For Speed World, its racing MMO developed by EA Black Box. The game has been in closed beta for quite some time, with Joystiq getting a look at it back in March. NFSW will be released as a free game client which will let players advance their driver up to level 10 before being asked to purchase a "starter pack." The game can continue to be played without it, but players won't be able to level up to earn new vehicles and power-ups. EA is accepting pre-orders for a $19.99 starter pack, which allows for progression up to level 50 and includes an exclusive car, beta access, the ability to play NFSW a week before release and a selection of power-ups. Unfortunately, our suggestion for a "back-seat driver" power-up -- which would play the game for you to grind levels -- doesn't appear to have made the cut.
Dead Space's Isaac Clarke playable in Skate 3
Got Skate 3? Want to bust kickflips as everyone's favorite outer space engineer, Isaac Clarke? By inputting the code "deadspacetoo" into the Cheats area under the Extras section, you'll unlock the Dead Space protagonist for use in Free Play mode. Who knew he could be so nimble in that outfit? Keen observers may notice Clarke riding on a futuristic board. That's because, by inputting the code, you'll also gain the new deck. Sorry, it's non-transferable between skaters -- we tried.
Review: Skate 3
Skate 3 has been touted as a social experience ever since it was announced, encouraging players to "team up" and "throw down," all in the name of being the best skateboard crew around. It's a new focus for the series, but if you're going to justify your sequel with a single feature, that feature had better work well. %Gallery-77563%
