It has all been a bit quiet for the Need for Speed franchise of late, but across 2024, Unbound will see some development attention.
Images: EA
October 2023. That was the last time Need for Speed Unbound received any significant content when Volume 5 added the current-generation BMW M2.
Then in December, a 5.1.0 update added the ability to remove the divisive driving effects. It felt like a goodbye, especially considering that (from the outside looking in) it seemed like developer Criterion Games was seconded in September to work on Battlefield… again.
But, in Electronic Arts’ own words, “surprise”, Unbound will receive new features for a second year.
“NFS turns 30 this year, and with that huge legacy, we couldn’t stand idle,” reads the EA statement.
“However, this year will be a bit different from the previous one.”
Need for Speed Unbound 2024 roadmap
Four volumes are set to release across the year, the first being themed around the Ingolstadt brand Audi and the final one under wraps so far:
Need for Speed Unbound – The Porsche Taycan was one of 2023’s post-release additions
Each of the four volumes is set to include at least one “major game mode and/or features” – throughout last year’s updates, items such as online cops and co-op Linkups were added.
The Speed Pass, also introduced last year, continues. Simply, driving earns XP, XP turns into levels, levels turn into cosmetic unlocks. A paid-for premium tier will be added as part of the next update. Two new “fully customizable” cars will also arrive in each patch.
Bug fixes and support will also continue, as expected when new content is in production, but in reference to the aforementioned Criterion reshuffle, the announcement states; “but as a small team, we need to prioritise where we spend our time.”
The development team is also said to be working with a ‘player council’ for feedback from NFS content creators and personalities.
With no all-new game in the franchise on the immediate horizon, all that remains to be seen is what specifically the new Volume 6 includes and to try it for ourselves at some point before the end of this month.
Are you looking forward to further Need for Speed Unbound updates? Let us know in the comments below or on X, @OverTake_GG.
Images: EA
October 2023. That was the last time Need for Speed Unbound received any significant content when Volume 5 added the current-generation BMW M2.
Then in December, a 5.1.0 update added the ability to remove the divisive driving effects. It felt like a goodbye, especially considering that (from the outside looking in) it seemed like developer Criterion Games was seconded in September to work on Battlefield… again.
But, in Electronic Arts’ own words, “surprise”, Unbound will receive new features for a second year.
“NFS turns 30 this year, and with that huge legacy, we couldn’t stand idle,” reads the EA statement.
“However, this year will be a bit different from the previous one.”
Four volumes are set to release across the year, the first being themed around the Ingolstadt brand Audi and the final one under wraps so far:
- February-April: Head to Head with Audi
- May-July: Drift and Drag, inspired by NFS Underground
- August-October: Cops vs Racers, inspired by NFS Hot Pursuit
- October-December: TBC
Not just cars, but game modes too
Each of the four volumes is set to include at least one “major game mode and/or features” – throughout last year’s updates, items such as online cops and co-op Linkups were added.
The Speed Pass, also introduced last year, continues. Simply, driving earns XP, XP turns into levels, levels turn into cosmetic unlocks. A paid-for premium tier will be added as part of the next update. Two new “fully customizable” cars will also arrive in each patch.
Bug fixes and support will also continue, as expected when new content is in production, but in reference to the aforementioned Criterion reshuffle, the announcement states; “but as a small team, we need to prioritise where we spend our time.”
The development team is also said to be working with a ‘player council’ for feedback from NFS content creators and personalities.
With no all-new game in the franchise on the immediate horizon, all that remains to be seen is what specifically the new Volume 6 includes and to try it for ourselves at some point before the end of this month.
Are you looking forward to further Need for Speed Unbound updates? Let us know in the comments below or on X, @OverTake_GG.
