Summary
Need for Speed Unboundhas revealed that it’ll be receiving a second year of support, laying out its 2024 roadmap. The latest entry in EA’s iconic arcade racing franchise,Need for Speed Unboundhas just been added to February’s PlayStation Plus Extra subscription alongsideThe Outer Worlds,Tales of Arise,Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, and more.
Having launched late in 2022,Need for Speed Unboundreceived positive reviews and became one of the more popular of therecentNeed for Speedtitles. Its fun, anime-inspired art style and effects made it stand out among the crowd of AAA racing games. Though initially successful,Unboundnever quite hit the heights of its prime open-world arcade racing competitor from the year prior,Forza Horizon 5. Nevertheless, developer Criterion Games has providedUnboundplayers with a solid amount of updates and additional content over the course of 2023.
Almost two months into 2024, which isNeed for Speed’s 30th anniversary,Criterion has announced a second year of live service supportforNeed for Speed Unbound. Complete with a Year 2 roadmap, Criterion revealed that a smaller team at the studio is handlingUnbound’s live service, testing the waters to see if long-term support for the game is viable. Year 2 will include four “volumes,” or seasons, throughout 2024, including Audi Head to Head,Underground-inspired Drift and Drag, and a Cops vs Racers season inspired by thefan-favoriteNeed for Speed: Hot Pursuit. A fourth mystery volume will round out the year starting in October; details of what that season may entail will surely be provided later in the year.
When Will Each New Volume Begin?
Each of these volumes will add at least one game mode, two new cars, and a new speed pass. Additionally, Criterion will be adding updates toUnbound’s progression, fixing bugs, adding playlists and challenges, as well as making quality of life improvements throughout Year 2, acknowledging that it won’t be able to get to everything players are asking for. It’ll be interesting to see ifUnbound’s Year 2 will bring in more players, or if the extra year of support is simply aiming to keep the already dedicated playerbase satisfied. WithNeed for Speed Unboundbeing added to PlayStation Plus, it’s sure to get a boost of new players who may choose to stick around through the rest of 2024 and beyond.
Need for Speed Unbound’sfirst 2024 volume begins this month and will roll until April. WhetherNeed for Speed Unboundreceives a third year of support will likely hinge on how well it does this year. The fact that it’ll be supported through the end of 2024 all but confirms that anewNeed for Speedgamelikely won’t come out this year, though that’s not to say Criterion isn’t cooking up a new title coming later down the road.
Need for Speed Unbound
WHERE TO PLAY
Race against time, outsmart the cops, and take on weekly qualifiers to reach The Grand, Lakeshore’s ultimate street racing challenge. Pack your garage with precision-tuned, custom rides and light up the streets with your style, exclusive fits, and a vibrant global soundtrack that bumps in every corner of the world.Content updates to the game come in the form of Volumes - as the game builds towards becoming the Ultimate NFS Experience in one place for the first time.
