As Need For Speed Celebrates 30 Years, Developers Highlight “Franchise Age” as Key Challenge for New Releases

“When I think back to those days, it was a trip to the local video game or computer store with friends where we first laid eyes on it. The game was on the 3DO console, and we were instantly hooked,” recalls Patrick Honnoraty, the current producer of Need For Speed. “You felt like a total bad-ass, racing and being chased by the cops. It was an experience unlike any other at the time.”

Since that iconic release in 1994, known as The Need for Speed—or more precisely, Road and Track presents: The Need For Speed—the racing game genre has radically transformed, embarking on a journey few could have foreseen. Certainly not me, considering I wouldn’t be born for another five or so years from then.

Yet here we are, about to celebrate the franchise’s 30th anniversary next month. Over three decades, the series has continuously shifted and grown, welcoming new elements that have captivated or confused its audience, as discussed during a recent roundtable with VG247 and several current and former NFS developers.

“The journey hasn’t always been smooth sailing,” Honnoraty says candidly. “The original game stood out because it was straightforward and very accessible.” He believes that authenticity to the original’s formula has largely been retained. “Unlike many racing sims today, Need For Speed is still approachable. Players can easily jump into a NFS game.”

Remaining updated on car culture trends is critical for the developers, Honnoraty emphasizes. Talented vehicle artists like Bryn Alban and Frankie Yip are always scanning the horizon for what’s new and feeding that back into the game. “When we overlook these elements, particularly customization, the games tend to suffer,” he admits.

The series has taken on numerous incarnations from its start—from the high-speed police chases, through the neon glow of the Underground era, onto experimental endeavors like Prostreet and The Run, and right up to its present form where development has moved back to Criterion. This constant evolution brings the looming question: where does Need For Speed stand as we approach November 2024?

“I see our main challenge now as its aging legacy. The series represents different things to different people, sparking endless debates among players about which installment tops the list and why,” notes Honnoraty. For example, during EA Play, gamers reminisced about Most Wanted and Underground, and though they are quite different, they evoke those cherished, nostalgic feelings.

“The toughest part is reconciling these varied impressions of what Need For Speed embodies. Every design choice we make will resonate differently with fans,” Honnoraty shares. “Both John Stanley, our senior creative director, and I tackle this daily, hoping we’re close to hitting the right balance.”

The challenge of satisfying everyone is echoed by Bryn Alban, vehicle art director. “It’s nearly impossible to get it completely right as everyone’s vision of the perfect Need For Speed diverges.”

While incorporating fan feedback is essential, Justin Wiebe, a veteran developer and current studio design director at Ripple Effect, expresses caution. Catering to everyone can dilute the uniqueness of the game. “You must be decisive about your vision. Focus on refining specific beloved elements and pushing them forward while accepting that not every fan’s wish will be fulfilled,” he shares. Reflecting on Prostreet, Wiebe recalls taking bold risks with the franchise, shifting from street racing narratives to official tracks, focusing on car culture. “It was polarizing, but it was crucial for the specific vision at that time.”

Recent installments, and those on the horizon, face this ongoing dance of innovation versus tradition, constantly reconsidering what a Need For Speed game should be.

“We’ve seen various gameplay styles—be it a Hot Pursuit iteration like Rivals, revisiting Underground’s spirit with customization, or the action-driven Payback,” Honnoraty reflects. “We’ve combined these influences to create titles like Heat, leaning into new challenges like risk versus reward, evolving it further for Unbound with a dynamic event calendar. Our aim is to explore ideas beyond mere racing, while keeping racing central to the experience.”

In the end, Honnoraty acknowledges, “We take these creative risks knowing they may not always succeed or resonate perfectly with players. Nonetheless, innovation is a constant—expect us to always deliver something different.”