WELCOME TO NEED FOR SPEED™ UNBOUND

It’s been a minute, and we’ve been busy. The fantastic folks at Criterion Games have been hard at work building the next Need for Speed™ - you saw the trailer, right?

We’re excited to be back and to celebrate the return of our Under the Hood community blogs. Over the coming weeks, we’ll be here to give you the info you need to answer your questions and get you on the road. 

In Need for Speed Unbound, it’s about changing your lane, as you start from the bottom and race to the top. With new Driving Effects that light up the streets, a new Burst Nitrous tactic to blow the doors off the competition, and customization for both you and your car - you're not only here to win, but to win in style. From the moment you're behind the wheel, you'll experience the immersive 60fps gameplay of street racing and some of the greatest-looking cars in the most engaging Need for Speed world we've ever created - welcome to Lakeshore!

The gorgeous city of Lakeshore

The world of Lakeshore is your canvas, and you’re the artist. Paint the streets with your skills and style as you head to Weekly Qualifiers, Takeovers, and Meetups. Nothing is going to be handed to you, so you're gonna have to pull out all the stops to earn that cash. No cash? That means no upgrades or customization, so you better get to work. And you've got a pack of racers who want to see you fail - and they're going to do their best to make sure you're in their rearview mirrors. As you’re burning up the roads, keep your focus with a soundtrack of trailblazing artists from around the world of hip-hop and the world premiere of A$AP Rocky’s brand new track in Need for Speed Unbound.

The innovative single-player campaign delivers thrills and consequences through an immersive narrative spanning day and night that engages players in the world of Lakeshore. When a robbery at a family auto shop tears two friends apart, a rookie racer sets out on a journey to win the ultimate street race and reclaim the priceless car that was stolen from them.

When you're ready, go online and race up to 15 other players in parties of up to four friends to see who is a real Legend of the Lake. Hit a Meetup with your friends and dominate the Race Playlist. Remember, no wins = no money = no car upgrades = you're staying at the back of the pack. No one wants to stare at taillights, so challenge some friends and other racers in the server and see who's the best - and who's the rest.

An aerial map featuring the streets of Lakeshore

From spectacular mountain views around Seba Ski Resort to the rolling plains of Griffith Parklands, down to picturesque Lake Virgil, and up to the port of Duncan Bay, Lakeshore feels like it was designed by street racers, for street racers. This ain’t no flat track - the city is a twisting, turning, multilevel playground for fast cars. When you’re not dominating off the line, you’ll have Speed Traps, Long Jumps, Stunt Drops, and Ramps to have fun with. When the fun is a little too much, get your whip cleaned up and running smoothly by pulling through a Gas Station. Need to take a break, tune up your car, or just plan your next move to get to the top? Pull up at a Safe House. And don’t forget the Meetups - the underground racing scene where you can race other street racers for bragging rights and cold hard cash. Did we mention there are side bets?

The more you race, the more you win, the higher your Heat level. Cops will be waiting, so you have to decide - will you run, battle them, or hit Lakeshore’s underground until the coast is clear? 

And we’re gonna be along for the ride. With the return of Under the Hood, we’ll be sharing game details, info about updates, and news about the game.

So buckle up, hit the gas, and let’s go. Need for Speed Unbound is here - and we’re just getting started.