EA Feels Need for Speed Again with Carbon

The Need for Speed franchise has come a long way since debuting on the ill-fated 3D0 system more than a decade ago, and it's about to go a little further. The Electronic Arts-published series' next installment, Need for Speed Carbon, will see the in-game action spill out of the sprawling city streets and into the world of canyon racing.

At the game's outset, players will race as part of a crew "in an all-out war for the city, risking everything to take over your rivals' neighborhoods one block at a time." Police presence eventually forces the war out of the city proper, and the races continue on the treacherous roads of Carbon Canyon. EA is emphasizing customization options in Carbon, giving players the ability to set the configurations of their rides, as well as those of their crews.

While Carbon was first mentioned publicly in Sony's pre-Electronic Entertainment Expo conference this year, it hadn't been officially acknowledged by Electronic Arts until today. Need for Speed Carbon will be released this November on the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Wii, PlayStation 2, Xbox, GameCube, DS, Game Boy Advance, PSP, PC, and mobile phones.

Carbon continues the story where Most Wanted left off. For those just tuning in, Most Wanted ended with you recovering your stolen car and bailing out of the city of Rockport while the overzealous, anti-street-racing Sgt. Cross continued his pursuit. At the start of Carbon, you're making your way to Palmont City when Cross, now a bounty hunter, catches up with you and totals your car during the chase. Before he can collect his bounty on you, though, your old friend Darius steps in and pays off Cross. You are then put to work, taking over the turf of the other rival street-racing crews in Palmont City. It seems that you've got a history in this town that predates the events in Most Wanted. And during the course of the game, you'll learn more about that fateful night you skipped town. Different characters will give their takes on the night you supposedly ran off with a big red duffle bag full of cash. And by the end of the game, you'll not only find out what really happened, but you'll have taken over all of the street-racing territory in Palmont City.